4 Chapter 4: Cursed Object

Goosebumps form on my arms the moment I touch the door knob. I take a deep breath, focusing on my quest. Creek. Thump, thump, thump, thump. Click. Soft yellow hues flood the basement, illuminating the curiosity in my purple eyes.

Crick. Shuffle, shuffle.

I steady my breath as I raise a sausage-shaped object in the air. The lights flicker as I pull at the seals encasing the object. My arms grow heavy, and my breath is visible despite the room temperature registering 20 degrees celsius. A knot forms in my stomach as I leave the object to rest. It is not until I am back upstairs that a dark mark appears and disappears from my right, middle finger.

"Let it go Lithuila. We need to focus." Holding my palms to the sky, and shutting my eyes, I inhale for five seconds. I can't help but smile when a pair of talons scuttle across my arm.

"Want to practice with me, little friend?"

My training session is cut short when the blackbird suddenly darts off! The up-kicking of dirt diverts my attention to the front yard. Whoever is approaching, they are not alone. I keep my senses on high alert while tiptoeing back inside the house. The goosebumps from earlier have returned, bringing a dry mouth with them.

The 187 cm tall and muscular figure stands a stone's throw from the door. My heart drops to my stomach. They are the same person I saw yesterday in the parking lot! Suddenly I hear a crashing sound coming from the basement. A single thought crosses my mind...cursed spirits!

I dash away from my hiding spot, catching my balance without falling down the stairs. My purple eyes light up, causing more cursed energy to pulsate through my veins. I punch a two-faced curse with seven eyes using my bare knuckles and pure cursed energy. I duck and pivot away from two other curses. My adrenaline is at an ultimate high, making me smile from ear to ear. The last curse and I lock eyes. I snap my fingers, leaving an empty spot by the chest.

While trying to catch my breath, I turn around, hitting the floor with my face. I see the stalker take the chest through double-vision and a pounding headache. The room closes in on me, as a blanket of black engulfs my peripheral vision.

September 1, 1998

Six months have passed since the basement encounter.

"Come on Casey and Peter, leave me alone. I just want to eat."

Dad is out on a mission. His superiors are attached to that object!

"Not a chance, give me your peanut butter sandwich and hand Peter your juice box. Four-eyes."

Zink and Zyler are always sick or injured. Mom has grown several grey hairs and...

"No. Leave me alone!"

I slam my book shut and storm over to the bickering trio.

"Hey, Casey and Peter. Do you all have a hard time listening to others? Simon told you to leave him alone." Simon stays on the ground while Peter stands in front of me.

"This conversation has nothing to do with you, get lost." Peter lunges toward me while saying this. I render him defenseless without batting an eye. A group of girls gasps in the distance, drawing the recess monitor's attention.

My parents have repeated to me multiple times that jujutsu is NEVER to be used against a non-sorcerer. Sorcerers exist to help non-sorcerers. I extend my hand to Simon, letting my eyes smile against the grey sky. He looks to the ground while taking my hand. Once on his feet, he covers his face before darting into the school building. The corners of my face point downwards as I pick up Simon's lunch box.

After the final bell rings, I grab my green backpack and run into the hallway. Simon's cursed energy and footsteps lead me to the library.

"Hey, Simon! How are you doing?" The library attendant gives me a stern look. Simon blushes and looks toward the floor.

"Umm. Umm, fine I guess." He rubs the back of his hand, trying to keep his voice steady.

We eventually make it to the front of the school and wait for our respective parental units to fetch us.

"Hi, mum! Again? Alright, I can walk home. Oh, can I bring a friend home with me? Fine. See you later."

My mother hangs up first.

"Umm, thank you..." I can't understand what Simon is mumbling.

"Do you mind repeating yourself?"

"I said, thank you for helping me at lunch." Simon looks me directly in the eyes but, averts his gaze when my eyebrow raises. He fills the awkward silence by asking, "do you want to walk home? You are new to this part of town and...I can show you how I get home."

I close my eyes, giggling to myself.

January 5, 1999

A New Year has begun and what a year it has been. My father is out on his mission, still, and Zink is no longer with us.

"Why are you looking at the sky? Talk with me please." Simon's brow is knitted together, and his eyes are soft.

"Simon, I am fine. Truly, there is no need to worry about me." I am giving him a half-hearted smile…knowing full well how easy it is for me to hide my true feelings. He drops the subject as we head home.

"Simon, do you mind walking in front of me?" My voice is firm, friendly, and calm.

"Huh? What for Lithuila, is something wrong?" Simon looks to the left and then the right to see if we are in danger. I sense three curses around us.

"Just stand in front of me." I firmly grab his left arm, redirecting us to a crowded place. Simon squirms out of my grip.

"Lithuila! Stop, what is going and why have we headed away from our houses? My parents are going to worry if I am not home by five!" He has stopped walking and puts his fists on his hips. I let him go.

"Simon, I don't have time to....look out!" I throw Simon onto the ground and cover him with my body. I grab Simon and we start running towards the mall that is not too far from our current location.

While huffing and puffing, I see the entrance to the mall up ahead.

"Lithuila, Lithuila...LITHUILA! We can't go to the mall, we don't have any..."

"Simon, we are being followed by two people. And it will be safer for us to find help in the mall. Do you understand?" I am holding back tears! The sorcerers have split themselves up and I can't sense them out. The curses are lingering in the parking lot...which is sparsely occupied.

I steady my hands enough to message my mother while Simon guides us to the food court. I swallow hard and force my eyes shut. A few seconds tick by before my phone buzzes: "Lithuila, stay put! Zyler and I are at the emergency room."

I slam my fist on the table, causing Simon to jump in his seat. He makes a suggestion, and I don't argue.

A cold chill slithers down my spine as we reach an alleyway. I freeze in place while Simon tugs my arm. All I hear him say is, "Lithuila, what are those things on the rooftop?".

I turn my gaze noticing the curses from earlier. Simon's body drops to the ground like a pile of bricks before a blinding yellow light blurs my vision.