Excerpt of In Plain Sight by Senayda Pierre

“You’ve always been destined for greatness Sahalie” Sani radiates warmth and compassion. His eyes shutter trying to hide the sadness but I still see it. Outside of this iridescent world holds darkness that’s surely impacted me. I feel it in my entire being but my mind refuses to acknowledge it.

“Now is the time to spread your wings and take that journey. Sometimes you have to lose something dear to you, have a door close on you, before you can find whatever it was you were meant to find. You weren’t meant to stay with us Sahalie. It’s time for you to go. The Spirits have spoken. Those you love have made their choices and now your path has been carved out. It is now up to you to fulfill your destiny. The journey will be long and lonely but it will be tremendously fulfilling. You will accomplish what no one else has. You will strengthen our people and bring us back from the brink.”

I close my eyes at his words. They ring so true, so clear that it’s impossible to deny them. How can I turn my back on my people? It’s the very reason why I’d gone to college to study genetics. I can see the path before me. I’m the only one on it. Ahanu, Bena, and Ojai stand on different paths. They wave goodbye to me with warm smiles and well wishes.

“Yuma” his name escapes my lips before I can process the thought. Something in me is missing. I acknowledge it even in this peaceful world. A part of me isn’t functioning correctly but I can’t tell what. There’s no pain, no negativity, nothing bad or hurtful here.

“Is gone” Sani replies but doesn’t elaborate. I swallow down his response. It wasn’t what I expected but somehow a part of me already knew that. “What path will you take?” Sani asks. He points to the forked paths before me. One is brightly lit with me standing alone being guided by the Spirits. Another path reveals those closest to me but it leaves me with an empty, unfulfilled feeling. If I choose that path I won’t accomplish what Sani hints at. The last path is dark. The shadow of a man and his tiger sends shivers through me. I recognize the hint of longing as I stare at the shadow but I know that’s not really a choice. The shadow is merely a silhouette of something that was.