The Return of the Night Owl

The Prophecy

“All Hallows Eve perched high above, out of sight, the hoot of the child’s familiar sounds through the air.

Water burst, runs hard and fast. Story unfolding the time has come for it at last. The witching hour in its sight.

Upon the strike of the witching hours anew is night,

The veil is passed from death to first breath, a doe-eyed split-tail will bring this family to its rise or their entire demise.

Heed my words, do not become aloof, regard this one as to be so wise.

Her kindness often mistook for weak,

This warrior’s spirit is far from being meek.

Intelligent, not just smart, to stay the path she must use her brain, not just follow her heart.

Generations of truth is time to unfold, she must lead through challenges, uncovering deceits to start.

The return of her familiar is the first sign, this warrior is who is meant to begin the uprising.

Know now and heed my words, follow her lead and you will prosper, go astray, and meet your maker. “

-Prophecy as told by Prophetess Priestess Sibylis

In the year 496Ad to Clovis, king of the Franks.

October 30, 1996

All Hallows Eve, Sharon was enjoying the festivities, as much as she could being eight months pregnant, when the phone rang. Sharon answered the phone. It was her mother on the line. She called to tell Sharon that her Aunt Francis would not make it through the night. Sharon could barely focus on the words from her mother spoke as her thoughts had turned to the prophecy that she so often heard her Aunt Francis passing down to her as it had been done through many generations of their family, being repeated continuously in her mind. Then she heard it, the hoot, the sound every woman in their family feared to hear. She told her mother that she just heard a hoot. Her mother kept speaking like Sharon had not said a word and told her that she would call her with any updates.

Sharon began to think she had manifested the sound of the hoot from the fear she had always had of the prophecy. The prophecy itself was not scary at all, but the possibility that it is real and the responsibility that would come with it is terrifying. She looked at the clock, 11:40pm. Sharon let a small giggle escape her lips as she thought of how ridiculous she was being. It is almost midnight, and she is only eight months pregnant, it is not even time for the baby to be born. Sharon went to join her husband in the foyer to celebrate the coming of All Hallows Day. As she entered the room and went toward Gary a strange silence came over the room. The only sound that was heard was a very loud distinct hoot of an owl. Everything began so fast now. Sharon’s water broke, labor did not take its time at all her contraction pains were coming hard and fast. Gary scooped her up and rushed her to the hospital while Sharon’s sister Clovis placed the call to the obstetrician.

The strike of the witching hour now upon them, simultaneously, the release of Aunt Francis’ last breath and the gasping intake of baby Sabrina’s first breath took place. The veil of the living and the dead had passed, and the warrior of the prophecy has been born. Sharon knew at that very moment the great responsibility that laid ahead of her, having given birth to the warrior of the prophecy of her people. The doctor laid the baby on Sharon’s chest. Baby Sabrina open her big beautiful brown doe-eyes and gazed at her mother. Gary leaned to them and whispered to Sharon, “as much as I wanted a son, we were given the most beautiful split-tail ever, thank you.” Sharon was certain after those words that had been spoken, she was living the prophecy. The doctors were worried about the baby being born so early, and her fragile state being born too early. Sharon was not worried at all about her precious baby, she knew that she had just birthed a warrior.

Sabrina was developed well beyond her age. When most moms of a 6-month-old were worried about sleeping through the night, Sharon was trying to figure out what little Sabrina’s next curiosity of the day would be tomorrow. The prophecy was spot on about this ones’ intelligence, she was curious about everything, and it seemed as if she could not absorb enough information. By the time Sabrina was two years old, Sharon had given birth to a second daughter, Amanda. The new baby peeked Sabrina’s curiosity, but it also brought out her jealousy. One minute Sabrina would be acting like a little mommy to baby Amanda, reading her books, making sure she was clean, feeding her, and playing with her. At the drop of a hat though Sabrina’s jealousy would rear its ugly head and she would be picking baby Amanda up by her foot trying to sling her out the door.

Soon after Sabrina began kindergarten Sharon gave birth to her third child, a son, Timothy. Sabrina had learned to keep her jealousy at bay by now, but she was a very controlling big sister. She was always trying to teach her siblings everything she had learned whether they wanted to know or not. Sharon tried her hardest to indulge all of Sabrina’s curiosities without divulging her belief that Sabrina was to fulfill the prophecy her family has waited on for many generations.

Graduation 2014

Sharon could not help but to feel a sense of pride as she watched Sabrina, now eighteen years old, walk across the graduation stage. Sharon had spent the last eighteen years doing everything she could to provide Sabrina a normal life, absent of the weight of the prophecy weighing on her. She managed to do very well at it too, well all except that darn owl that was never far from Sabrina. Sharon had told her entire family the day Sabrina was born that if they mentioned the prophecy anywhere in Sabrina’s vicinity, they would no longer be a part of their life. All she wanted for her daughter was for her to have a normal childhood, with all the normal childhood struggles. She did not want her daughter to spend her entire life burdened with the weight of a prophecy from so long ago, in which Sharon no longer believed was real. After all coincidences do happen and in eighteen years there has not been any sign of the family rising or falling due to anything Sabrina was or was not doing.

Sabrina could not believe it, she made it. Now it is time for her to prepare for college and live the life she has always wanted, without her mom shadowing her and reminding her to live in the present. She loved history. Everything about anything in history caught her attention and she wanted to discover as much of it as possible and see for herself if the old adage that history repeats itself was really true. Most of all she wanted to study the history of her longest companion, the owl. For as long as she could remember this owl had always stayed near her, just out of her reach. She had done a little digging here and there about the owl, even tried to get a few snapshots, when her mother was preoccupied and was not taking notice to what she was doing. As far as Sabrina could find out, her owl was supposed to be extinct, According, to everything she could find about the owl, by looking up its description, it is known as the Réunion owl, also referred to as the Réunion scops owl or Réunion lizard owl. The owl was a small owl that used to be on the Mascarene Island of Réunion, before becoming extinct and it is only known about by the subfossil bones discovered there. There is only one other instance that Sabrina could find reference to what is believed to be the Réunion owl. It was transcribed that on King Clovis’ death bed in 511AD, his last words were, “Remember the Réunion.” To most around him they believed this was just delirious talk of a dying man, but those closest to the king remembered the prophecy that was spoken to the king and knew that he was shadowed by the extinct owl himself. For Sabrina, this tid-bit of information caused her heart to pitter-patter just a little bit faster and her thoughts to swirl like a tornado taking flight. She had always been so curious as to why her longest companion was always been so near to her, yet so unreachable and it looked like to her that King Clovis may have had the same issue.

Sabrina was the valedictorian of her class and graduating with Honors. She had only turned in one application for college and it was to the University of Paris. Her student advisor had asked her several times over the course of her senior year if she thought she should apply at other schools, but Sabrina was determined to only attend the University of Paris and therefore did not see the need in applying elsewhere. Sabrina had already completed the paperwork for financial aide and had applied for every scholarship and grant she was eligible for. With the graduation ceremony coming to an end Sabrina checked her phone and there was a notification that she had received an email from the University of Paris. Nervously she clicked the link to read the email. She had been accepted, but not only was she accepted they would like to offer her a full ride scholarship because they were so impressed with not only her application and recommendations but her enthusiasm. She looked up from her phone and sure enough within her line of vision stood her mother, the only thing she had not prepared for while preparing for college, having the talk with her mom. She could already envision every single argument her mom would throw at her to attempt to keep her from attending an abroad university. The only answer to anything Sabrina thought her mom would say would be to respond with, “Mom, I am eighteen years old now, an adult and I am able to make decisions by myself.” Oh, how she dreaded even trying to have the college conversation with her mom, but now was as good as time as any, at least here there were so many people that her mom would not want to cause a scene, or so she thought.

She walked over to her mother with her head held high. Sabrina looked her mother dead set in the eyes and said, “Mom, I have been accepted to the University of Paris, and before you state your objections, they have offered a full ride, so my financial obligation is already taken care of.” Sharon stood facing her daughter with her jaw dropped in complete and utter shock momentarily rendered speechless. As soon as Sharon could catch her composure, through tight lips she told Sabrina, “I forbid you, under any circumstances to attend any college abroad, and this is not the time nor the place for this discussion, we will continue this conversation at home, is that understood young lady?” Sabrina had never seen her mom like this before. Her mother appeared to lose all color and was as faint as a ghost, but her demeanor came across as being a confident, in charge of the world, I am the queen and you will submit, like a tyrant. This is a side of her mom she had never encountered and really did not think she was ready to stand up to her in opposition. They said their goodbyes to everyone and went to the car for what seemed like the longest car ride ever, filled with a very loud silence and tension thick enough that a butter knife could cut through it.

As soon as Sharon unlocked the door to the house, Sabrina tried to slide right past her and go to her room without finishing the conversation. Sharon stopped her in her tracks and made it very clear they were going to sit and talk about the situation. Sabrina took a seat on the couch and started to state her case but was silenced when her mother raised her hand and held it in the stop sign. Sharon began speaking, “Sabrina, I understand that you took responsibility and made all of the needed arrangements for you to be able to attend the University of Paris. I also understand that you are now legally of age and can legally make all decisions about your life. But sweetheart you must understand I have sheltered and protected you and kept you safe your entire life. Now I am afraid in my doing so I may have done more harm than good.”

Sabrina, you are so intelligent and so beautiful. I believe that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, but honey there is so much that you do not know. There is so much that you will not understand. I am your mother and I do not understand so many things. Sabrina takes advantage of her mom’s pause in speaking and responds, but mom can you not understand that those are the very reasons that I applied abroad at the University of Paris. I want to understand history, to learn my own roots, and make my own mark in this world. Sharon moves closer to her daughter, places her hands over Sabrina’s hands and looks into her daughter’s eyes. Sabrina, there is so much that I need to tell you, that I should have already told you, but first you must understand that every decision I made was because I love you and I wanted the best for you. I am going to call your father and as soon as he gets home, we will sit down for dinner and then your father and I will explain everything to you, I promise.

Sharon hurried to her room, her eyes quickly filling with tears as she questioned every decision that her and Gary had ever made. She calmed herself and placed the call to her husband explaining to him what has already happened and the promise to inform Sabrina of everything that evening after dinner. Gary reassured Sharon that everything would be okay, they had made the right decisions to protect their daughter and she would soon understand that. After ending the phone call Sharon went to the kitchen to start cooking dinner, her mind swirling with thoughts.

Sabrina had decided to take a jog through the housing addition, giving her mom space and her time to think. She was just rounding the last bend back to the house when her dad pulled up beside her and offered her a ride the rest of the way. She got in the car and the rode the two blocks home in silence. As they entered the house, they could smell the aroma of dinner. They both rushed to get cleaned up for dinner and in under ten minutes the whole family had found their way to be seated at the table. Dinner took place in the same manner as it had for the last eighteen years, with everyone discussing the events their day had entailed. When it was time for Sabrina to speak, she simply stated that she finally graduated high school and could hardly wait for the after-dinner conversation between herself and the parental units. Her siblings, who had been caught up in their own affairs finally noticed the tension in the air and rapidly finished their dinner and excused themselves to their rooms for the evening.

Sharon, Gary and Sabrina cleared dinner from the table and cleaned the mess up, then all went to sit in the family room to have the dreaded by all conversation. Gary opened the conversation, Sabrina, your mom has informed me of all the two of you have discussed today so far, and sweetie I am sorry, but I agree with your mom. Sabrina could feel her blood starting to boil, why did her parents not understand her at all? Mom, dad, I don’t get it my whole life you have taught me to be responsible, be independent, with determination you can do anything you set your mind to, and I have done all of these things by taking the responsibility of planning my future and establishing a means for it to happen and you both tell me it is the wrong thing. I am really having a hard time understanding this. Can you please explain why you are both so dead set against me going abroad for school?

Sharon and Gary looked at one another and then they both went back and forth explaining that they had made the only decisions they could to keep Sabrina safe, that everything happened so fast, and they were afraid. They went on to tell Sabrina they never intended to keep the prophecy from her for so long, but days became months and the months became years, and the beginning just seem so distantly far away now that it just didn’t seem real to them anymore, until today when the University of Paris was the destination college Sabrina had chosen and fear gripped them all over. After listening to her parents, Sabrina sat stunned, well shocked and trying to absorb everything her parents had just told her. Her parents, the king and queen of “honesty is always the best policy”, had been lying to her since the day she was born, her whole life an illusion of what her parents had wanted her to see. They lied. Sabrina looked up at her parents in utter disgust and told them she appreciates that they have decided finally after eighteen years to be honest with her and she appreciates their opinion on what she should do with the rest of her life, but she is an adult and their decision to hide vital things about her life from her is the reason she has decided that rather than waiting for the fall semester to begin she will be leaving tonight to catch a flight to Paris where she will most definitely be attending school. Sabrina then stood up and went to her room to pack her belongings, tell her siblings goodbye, and head out.

The University of Paris

Sabrina had made it through her freshman year at the University of Paris and it was everything she ever could have dreamed of. She had called her siblings once a week since she had left home but chose to not communicate directly with her parents. She was past the anger now, but her heart was still broken. The two people in the world that she had always known she could trust are the very two people that had been deceiving her since the day she was born. It had been a year and nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Sabrina had learned a lot in her classes and was well on her way to an early graduation, along with using her personal time to do some research surrounding the prophecy that according to her parents was her very own destiny to fulfill. Sabrina had gone over the prophecy, line by line a countless number of times.

“All Hallows Eve, perched high above, out of sight, the hoot of the child’s familiar sounds through the air.”

Mom and dad said that right before she went into labor with me, she heard the hoot of an owl, and since the same owl has kept over me my whole life, I would say it is safe to assume he could be my familiar.

Water burst, runs hard and fast. Story unfolding the time has come for it at last. The witching hour in its sight.

Mom said as soon as her water broke everything was rapidly taking place.

Upon the strike of the witching hours anew is night,

The veil is passed from death to first breath, a doe-eyed split-tail will bring this family to its rise or their entire demise.

From what I have been told Aunt Francis was a sight seer and she passed away at the same time that I was born, so that fits.

Heed my words, do not become aloof, regard this one as to be so wise.

Yeah right, no one must have read this part because no one listens to me.

Her kindness often mistook for weak,

This warrior’s spirit is far from being meek.

People have always thought they could pull the wool over my eyes since I am so nice, but I am not as naïve as they seem to think.

Intelligent, not just smart, to stay the path she must use her brain, not just follow her heart.

How am I to use my brain and not my heart when all I can feel right now is how broken my heart is?

Generations of truth is time to unfold, she must lead through challenges, uncovering deceits to start.

I do not know about any other generations truths unfolding but all the lies of my parents in this generation have definitely unfolded.

The return of her familiar is the first sign, this warrior is who is meant to begin the uprising.

According to this the day I was born, when my familiar, the Reunion Owl appeared, my battle of the uprise began.

Know now and heed my words, follow her lead and you will prosper, go astray, and meet your maker. “

Who exactly is supposed to follow my lead and how can I be the cause of anyone’s prosperity or demise?

Graduating College

Four long, wonderful years obtaining her education at the University of Paris, and it is now graduation day. Sabrina’s parents and siblings had flown to Paris to support her for accomplishment. Of course, her parents really used graduation as the perfect reason just to see their daughters face and attempt reconciliation. After the ceremony Sabrina took her family on a tour of the marvelous city. They rode the ferry, walked the streets and shopped at some exquisite shops through out Paris. The entire family had decided to go to one of the finer establishments of Paris for dinner to celebrate Sabrina graduating. During dinner Sharon leaned to Sabrina and asked her if they could take a night stroll later and talk things out. Sabrina agreed it was time for her and the parental units to come to an understanding, they could all take a stroll together.

After Sharon got Amanda and Timothy settled in their suites for the evening, she and Gary joined Sabrina for the night stroll they had planned. Sabrina spoke first, Mom, dad, this conversation is long over-due, and I owe you both an apology. I never should have stormed out the way I did, and it absolutely should not have been four years before I spoke to you again. Simultaneously, her parents said no honey it is us that should be apologizing. Sharon continued, Sabrina, we should have never kept the truth from you, or allowed our fear of the prophecy to control your life. We do hope you can forgive us. They were nearing the grounds of once was the palace in which King Clovis ruled from, when just as Sabrina started to reply to her parents, the Reunion Owl swooped widely in front of them, stopping them in their tracks, all now turned about to face the palace grounds. Sabrina’s entire body felt paralyzed, and her vision seemed to be obscured, everything was hazy, it all looked so, well different but still the same. Her parents stared at her and watched their fear unfold right in front of them, the prophecy was real, and Sabrina is the sight seer that is called upon in the prophecy. She looked like a statue and her eyes were wide open but looked to be covered in some sort of fog. Sharon and Gary were both crying out for Sabrina to just say something, but the trance she was in had a strong hold on her. Sabrina was no longer in the presence of her parents she had traveled to the year 506 AD and was standing with King Clovis. The very thing that she herself was going through at this very moment she was also witnessing generations ago when King Clovis had the same experience. Somehow the two generations of sight seers took to a new realm together, alone in a void of nothingness, King Clovis explained what the prophecy he was destined to live meant for Sabrina’s destiny and what she must do to be the warrior she was born to be. He explained to her that people will call her mad and believe she is completely insane, but with out the truth revealed and understood the next generation would cease to exist and the entire world would crumble. King Clovis was persistent with Sabrina and told her because she has finally accepted her destiny he has been freed to now go to rest. His fading words lingered, “Remember the Reunion”, as Sabrina slowly began to fade back to her parents.

As soon as Sabrina had come completely to, she grabbed both of her parents and hugged them tightly. Sabrina told her parents of her experience with King Clovis. Do you guys remember this locket, Sabrina asked as she grabbed the locket that hung around her neck. They both looked and nodded yes. She continued this is the locket that was willed to me at my birth from Aunt Francis. This locket is the key to the prophecy. Inside the old palace is a secret cupboard hidden in the floorboards of King Clovis’ bed chambers. This key unlocks the lockbox stashed under the floor. Inside of the lock box are the missing lineage of creation scrolls. I must go now and get them. Mom, dad do not worry I do know what I am doing. This time around her parents’ choice to support their daughter, to believe in her, to choose Sabrina, and they went with her to get the scrolls. The prophecy that had been feared for so long over generations of time had been fulfilled.