They Come in 3s: Part 3

Epiphany, first: Being alive as its own reward. My miracle, self-actuation of self-awareness. Epiphany, second: Sorting out the perspective of the truly important things in life. My miracle, forgiveness.

Epiphany, third?

I returned to the pier the next day, forarmed, but forewarned: knowledge of miracles is dangerous, even deadly. Yet how one wielded his miracle, as one wields a Trident, separates joy and regret.

Miracles, it seemed, were to be my education. Once again, wetted by the playful porpoise who lept, spit — then retreated — I looked to the liquid surface for tell-tale commotion.

I didn't wait long.

Again, the perturbations differed. No turbulence from below, no turbulence. Instead, a dimple appeared, a concavity that began spinning. It swirled and deepened. It widened. Its force grew such that I feared for the pilings upon which rested my pier.

"Oh!" I bayed. "What be this? Will I be sucked into this maelström?"

From the mouth of the voracious vortex sang her song:

“Come hither, hear the sweet voice from Sirens' lips, belched to you from Charybdis. Listen well and profit from your gift, for we know all things that come to pass upon the fruitful earth."

"You will tell me of my future?" I asked. "That is to be my third miracle in as many days?"

"Yes. He who hears our song will know to manipulate the future for his gain."

Truly, I thought, this be miracle enough. My third, and I can finish this tripartite task — this quest, as said my first miracle, my mermaid; and my humanity, as indicated by my second miracle. The good I could do!

But, wise, I sidestepped the goings-on of this world. My third epiphany — my third miracle. Spurning the tumult, I forced a finger into each of my ears as forcefully, deeply, as I could, until all I could hear was the deafening hiss of innnate wisdom.

The waters calmed; the whirlpool subsided. I went into my future, ignorant of what was to come. For such knowledge would spoil the miracle of living; such manipulation would abandon my humanity.

My quest was over, and I shouted it to the sea.

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https://vocal.media/fiction/they-come-in-3s-part-1

https://vocal.media/fiction/they-come-in-3s-part-2