Candles flickered about the room; incense burned crisp in the air. Falls sat with her knees folded under her. The worn velvet cushion she'd been told to sit on did little to hide the rocks that were under the canvas tent's flooring. She looked around, studying the odd figurines and symbols that graced the boxes and shelves that littered the interior of the traveling act. The only other occupant in the tent was an old lady, her clothing just as odd as the figurines that Falls had been drawn to.
The young woman watched Falls eyes rest on one object in particular. A smile crept up on her aged features as she moved to light a candle that rested by the small box. She picked it up. Her hands shook slightly from the weight of holding such a powerful trinket. She placed it on the table in front of Falls and then nodded her head, indicating for her guest to examine the detailed object at will.
A soft wind caressed the air, sneaking its way through the tents partially closed flap. Falls couldn't help but notice the outward shiver of the old lady and she rose to offer some sort of assistance. The woman waved her back to her seat; obediently Falls obeyed.
"Are you okay?" she asked the woman as the frail hands continued to light various candles.
"I am fine. Please dear, if you would be so kind as to set these around the table." Falls took the offered candles, quickly placed them in the sockets that outlined the aged surface and waited for further instructions. "Thank you dear."
"You're welcome." Falls shifted on her knees as the woman took a seat across from her. She watched with both surprise and admiration as the old figure bent herself down to find her place on her own velvet cushion. Falls had not expected the frail creature to sit cross-legged on the floor. She promised that she would not leave the tent before aiding the woman to her feet.
"I should admit that I've never done this before."
A crooked grin and a short nod were the only indications that Falls words had been heard and understood. "Take a moment and breathe in deep the scents that surround you," she waited while Falls once more did what was asked of her, "Tell me; what do you smell?"
Falls looked to the left, then the right before closing her eyes and once more concentrating on the scents that floated about the air. She blocked out the sounds of her friends outside the tent as well as the music and laughter that radiated from the Fair. Her nostrils flared as she breathed deep. "Lavender. Violet. Rose." Suddenly though the scents changed. Her brow furrowed as she tried harder to concentrate on them.
The old woman saw the change immediately and smiled. "Yes, breathe deep. What do you see?"
Falls heard the old voice. It seemed to come from a distance, though she knew that could not be the case for they were still inside the Fortune Teller's tent. As much as she wanted to tell the old woman that she saw nothing Falls could not. She was seeing things. No longer did the smells of the incense dominate her senses. In fact, the sights that pulled her were similar to the ones of years gone by.
She continued to breathe in and out as a building similar to the Old Mill on Aspetuck River came into view. Suddenly a rush of wind blew across the water and the scent of horses, sweat and blood overtook her. She shivered, quickly opened her eyes and stared at a man she did not recognize. For a moment she felt his fingers caress her cheek. As quickly as it had appeared, the image faded and the old woman was smiling at her.
Falls face showed her confusion as well as fear. "What was that?"
"Your hand," the old woman demanded. Falls blinked several times trying to clear her head while offering her palm.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, "but... I don't understand. What? Who was that?"
The questions were waved away, no answers given as the old woman took the girl's hand and pressed her own fingers into the lines of flesh. Falls felt the cold touch of gnarled fingers and chewed on her lower lip. The old woman began to speak in a language unknown to Falls. When her hand was free she quickly brought it to her chest, held it close and rubbed it vigorously in hopes to bring its temperature back to normal.
"You are unique, Amber Falls Britain."
Falls wondered how the stranger had known her name. The sound of giggles from behind the tent canvas however told her that it was more than likely her friends had given the fortune teller much information. Had Robin or Becky told her before they paid for this little treat? She didn't recall the two girls entering the shop before her, but they claimed to have made this appointment with Madame DePauge earlier that morning, while Falls had been working. Now they were out enjoying the festivities together. The trip to the gypsy woman had been part of Falls's birthday gift from her best friends.
"Girl!"
Falls blushed and apologized for not paying attention. The old woman frowned slightly, but said nothing to admonish the lack of respect. "I have carried this with me for many years hoping to find you."
"Me?" The woman picked up the small box that she had placed in front of Falls. "Find me? Why? You don't even know me." The rectangular shaped box, its surface a polished white and formed from what Falls believed to be some precious mineral, was placed in her upturned hand, still held by the old woman.
"Several hundred years ago it was written, that one that comes from the water's edge would find her way to me, in so doing my journey would be complete; her's would begin. You are that woman."
Falls said nothing. A part of her wanted to laugh, another part, a part that she refused to examine told her to stay and listen. She pushed that desire away and rose to leave. "This isn't fun. I told those two that I wanted no..."
"Enough!" The shout that came from the woman made Falls jump. She had not expected such strength to come from one as aged as the lady before her. "You saw it; did you not?"
"Saw it?"
"Yes."
