*YOU'RE CURSED*

"The curse of the heavens will be upon you. You shall have no peace...you shall find no comfort. Your misery will never cease...you shall seek death but won't find...and you'll keep agonizing in pain until you fulfill the wishes of the heavens....whether it's 100 years...or 1000 years...you shall be miserable unless you do as the gods want....I place this curse on you Aviva...henceforth...YOU...ARE...CURSED!!"

"AHH!!!" Aviva jerked up from the bed panting heavily. She looks around the dark room frantically panting hard.

"Grandmother..." She mutters sweating profusely.

She palmed her face and sob silently for a while. Seems she's back to having the same nightmare every night. Of course she would especially now that she had just meet Rowan again. Her grandmother will start haunting her once more. Just like then...three years ago.

she got away from the bed and turned on the light. Checking the time, she realized it isn't even that late. Just eight o'clock. She sighs and went to the fridge taking a bottle of water.

Just as she uncapped it and made to drink. A sudden pain strike her chest.

"Argh!" She drops the bottle holding her chest.

This wasn't the pain from her illness...but rather it was like an alarm. Like a warning...that something bad is about to happen...again.

"Oh no...Penny" She mutters.

***

"I'm sorry but...we couldn't find anyone in there" One of the rescue team said to Jason

"What? That's...that's impossible...wei_ Peninnah is still in there. I'M TELLING YOU SHE'S INSIDE!!"

"I'm sorry" The man said then excuse him.

Jason shakes his head.

"If you people can't find her...then I will. Don't try to stop me" He said dashing to the entrance of the boutique.

"I'm sorry but we can't let you in" One of the officers guarding it told him while he tries to force his way in.

"Excuse me" He heard a voice and looks back.

"I'm officer Chloe...can I have a word with you?" The officer said showing him her ID.

***

"Want some drink?"

"I'm fine"

"Alright...I just need to ask a few questions" officer Chloe said while he nodded.

"Your name?"

"Jason"

"Um...Mr Jason you claim the person you came here with is missing?"

"Yes"

"What's her name?"

"Peninah"

"Peninah...what a beautiful name she has got there. She must be as well"

"Are we here to talk about that?"

"Of...course not..." Officer Chloe smiles.

"If I may ask...how is she related to you?"

"She..." He sighs.

"She's my girlfriend"

"Ohh...you must be here for a date then"

"Have you checked the CCTV? You would at least know what happened to her"

"Well...it seems damaged...you know the fire...but don't worry...we'll do something about that"

"How can I not be worried when a whole person is missing?" Jason said back while the officer click her tongue.

"Have you tried calling her?"

"Her phone is off"

"Ohh...I see. It's hard then. Mr Jason are you really sure she was there in the boutique with you? She may have left when you were dressing up like you said"

"No...I was clearly told she was seen going to the restroom and more so...she would never do such a thing. Weirdo will never...leave alone"

"Weirdo?"

"I...call her that sometimes"

"Ohh...your relationship must be unique"

"Don't worry...we'll make sure to find out what happened to your girlfriend. Can I have your digits...I may still need to see you"

"All I want...is to find weirdo...im not interested in seeing you" Jason said standing up.

"If you are really the police...then you do your job well" He added before leaving.

"Don't worry...we will!" Officer Chloe shouted after him.

"Ugh! He's rude...and annoying" She mutters.

***

The masked guy slowly placed the unconscious Penny on the floor. Not far from the boutique at a deserted corner.

He placed his palm on her chest and smiles.

"I can feel it...the orb is really in her" He thought within taking a step back.

He started performing some kind of spell with his hand just then a radiant light started emanating from her chest. The guy continues pushing pressure in the spell but then the light suddenly died down. However, that doesn't stops him as he tried again and though he keeps failing he never stops and keep trying over and over again. panting in frustrations with sweats all covered him now.

After failing many attempts of taking out the orb from her, he decided to try another way. Taking off his black backbag, he brought out a small dagger and smiles to himself. Cutting his palm with the dagger, he soiled his blood with it before taking his eyes back to the unconscious Penny.

He steps closer placing his palm on her chest one more time feeling the orb. He nodded to himself and brought the dagger up to stab her but then a large force suddenly attacked him sweeping him away from her.

"Ahh!" He grunts as he hit his back with the wall.

"Penny..." Aviva mutters slowly as she saw her lying unconscious and quickly ran to her. She placed her palm on her chest to feel the orb and sigh in relief when she discovered its still there.

The masked guy stood up looking at her clearly in anger. His eyes instantly changed darkness overwhelming it. His fingers also grew sharp claws instantly and he started panting hard. He ran to attack her and Aviva also ran to the dagger he had dropped on the floor taking it. Just as the masked guy was about stabbing her with his clawed fingers, Aviva stabbed him on the shoulder with the dagger.

"AHHHH!!!" He grunts holding unto her tightly.

Peninah opens her eyes slowly and looks around.

"Where is this?" She mutters as she slowly stood up from the floor she was lying on. She looks around. The place looks lonely and dangerous. It was a cul-de-sac and nobody around. The only thing to be heard was the heavy swirling wind. She hugs herself getting out of there immediately.

Aviva watch her leave from where she was hiding holding the mask guy a hostage

***

Jason Sat on the floor resting his back against his car. He kept looking at the boutique not taking his eyes off it.

Someone suddenly came to him standing in front of him. He sighs.

"Can you just lea_" He stopped when he raised his head up and saw Penny.

"Here you are...young man" Penny grins at him.

"I...have been looking for you. What are you doing here?" Penny asked again when he wouldn't say anything but just stares at her.

Slowly, Jason stood up still looking at her.

"Weirdo?" He called.

"Young man..."

"Where have you been?" He asked slowly.

"I...I was_" She releases a sudden gasps when he suddenly wrapped his arms around her.

"I thought I lost you too" He whimpers silently on her shoulder.

"Young man..."

HOME.

Throughout the ride home, Jason didn't say a word to her. Penny keep playing with her fingers not knowing what to do.

He descends the stairs and she lingers behind not saying anything.

"You must be tired...go rest" Jason said as they got to where her room is. He started walking away.

"I lost the Teddy...." She announced making him halt.

"I'm sorry" She pouted sadly. Jason sighs and looks back to her.

"That isn't the problem now! You...you almost died! I almost...lost you" He pointed at her while she bowed her head.

"This is crazy seriously..." He ruffles his hair heading to his room.

Penny took in her lower lip as she stood there not going into her room.

Jason placed his hand on the door knob but then stops and sighs. He looks back to see her standing there.

"Are you okay?" He asked while she looks up to him with watered eyes.

"Young man..." She whimpers and ran to him. Throwing her arms around him.

"I was so scared...i thought I wasn't gonna see you anymore..." She said whimpering on his shoulder while Jason hugs her back burying his face in her hair.

"I'm sorry..." She sniffs while Jason kissed her her hair as he held her in his arms.

ROWAN'S HOUSE.

Rowan scrunch his face holding in the pain as Aviva heals him.

"Lay low for now...it wouldn't be good for you to keep pushing it" She said wrapping it up.

"Why did you stepped in? I was getting close to cure my mother" His voice came out dry.

"I couldn't watch you...do that to her"

"She is...my last hope"

"There must be another way"

"She's is the only...f**king way!!!"

"Is that why...you've been trying to hurt her? All these while?"

"I've got to save my mother"

"ROWAN!!!"

"WHAT! You want me to just sit and do nothing?!"

"You can't do that to her"

"Why can't I? Someone did that to my mother too...you were there....you withnessed how...my mother was turned that way"

"I'll try to save her"

"Don't bullsh*t me...I know you can't"

"You've got to stop all these! If you do this then you're really gonna....make the prophecy true" Aviva said worried while Rowan burst out laughing. He stood up while Aviva's eyes followed him.

"Prophecy? Yeah...to hell with that..."

"Rowan!!! This...this isn't you..." Aviva shakes her head.

"This is me..." He glared at her...his eyes turning black just like before.

"If your grandmother hadn't done that then!! My mother...wouldn't be in that state she is right now...so...you have absolutely no right! To stop me Vee." He seethe.

"She was only trying to...stop the calamity from happening you know that...she never intended to get anyone hurt"

"She shouldn't have come after us...she should have just left us alone!! What did I ever do to her uh! Listen Vee...I'm gonna do all it takes...to make sure I get that orb...I've been looking for it for years and now I've finally found it...don't think I'll let this chance slip away"

"BUT SHE'S INNOCENT!!" Aviva shouted panting hard.

"She...doesn't deserves any of this Rowan...not her" Aviva shakes her head.

"So was my mother...she never deserves any of those...tell me...why does she have to be lying there? WHY?? My poor mother...she doesn't deserves any of these..." He whimpers.

"Rowan...?" Aviva held his hand with a pleading look. They maintained eye contact for a while and slowly, his eyes turned back to normal. The darkness leaving it.

"All I ever wanted...was a world...with my mother...a world with no war...no discrimination...and no harm...a happy world with those I love...that was going well...it was going perfectly well but..." He trails off.

"Your grandmother had to ruin that...I...had plan for a future for us"

"We can still achieve that"

"No...not when my mother is like that"

"Let her go now..."

"My mother....is everything to me...I'm sorry Vee" He removed his hand from hers.

"If you do this...then you're leaving me with no choice"

"Avee...remember...I've always...loved you"

"Goodbye...Rowan..." She said and turns away.

"I'm sorry..." Rowan said behind her as she walks away from him.

"My mother comes first..." He mutters to himself.

AVIVA'S HOME.

"The curse of the heavens will be upon you...you shall have no peace...you're cursed Aviva!...you're cursed!! YOU ARE CURSED!!!"

"AHH!!!" Aviva held her ears as her grandmother's voice wouldn't stop ringing in her head.

"I'm...cursed....im cursed...IM FOREVER CURSED!!!" She yelled out in pain slumping to the floor.

"Why...why me...why...?" She sobs remembering how everything started years ago.

Aviva had always been an outcast. People thought she was weird and had always avoided her. Why? That's probably because she came out from the linage of shamans.

She had always been psychic. Her grandmother who was a shaman wanted her to take over her legacy since her mother had left the world early but all Aviva wanted was just a normal life. A life with no supernatural powers, a life just like a normal college student.

She had worked her butt off to send herself to school since her grandmother hated and disapproved that. No one wanted to be her friend due to how strange she is. A lot of rumors spread about her when she first entered college. Like she talks to ghost...she changes forms at night...and she is psychic. Well all was false except the last. Her guts feelings had always been right and she's kinda clairvoyant.

As a result of this, no one wanted to be associated with her.

They called her a witch.

But on the other side was someone like her. Someone similar to her in every aspect. Maybe that's how they came to accept each other. The difference was just that while she processes the power to heal...he had processes the dark energy to destroy. Of course she doesn't know of this.

People mocked them...called them all sort of names... Evil couples. Set of destroyers...they were condemned and rebuked...but never let go of each other...until that day...when everything fell apart.

Aviva's grandmother came to know about Rowan and instantly recognizes him. The child of twenty six years ago that shouldn't have been birthed. The child with the prophecy of destruction.

She kept mute about this luring Rowan into her den.

It was the day of her birthday. She had set up the trap for him. Aviva's grandma invited Rowan and he gladly walked into the trap.

However, Rowan had taken his mother with him that day. Probably with the aim of introducing her to her.

But instead of the birthday they planned for, Aviva's grandmother had lured them into where she's gonna perform exorcism for Rowan.

Sophie recognized her right away but it was too late...to escape with Rowan. They had walked right into her trap.

"We have to cast out the demon...and if it isn't possible...we get rid of everything all together" Grandmother said to Aviva who disapproved.

"If you won't help me...then I'll do this alone!" Aviva's grandmother said firmly as she proceeded with the exorcism.

Sophie wouldn't stop crying...Aviva became scared. Rowan was tied to the sacred tree...he wouldn't stop shouting and groaning as the exorcism was performed.

It got to a point where Sophie couldn't take it any longer. Her precious child was dying right in front of her. After all what she went through to protect him.

She interfered in the exorcism and was wounded.

"No one interferes in the deed of the gods! NO ONE!...should stop...the will of the heavens...the moment you interfere in it....YOU PAY!!"

Sophie laid down badly injured...however, Aviva's grandmother proceeded with the exorcism.

This seems to anger that demon in Rowan...he sets himself free where he was binded.

Everywhere became dark.

A heavy wind started blowing.

Everything crashing together.

And he went for her.

The one who did that to his mother.

By the time everything would have calmed down...Rowan and his mother was no where to be found.

"GRANDMOTHER!!!" Aviva shrieked seeing her grandmother on the floor.

"You must continue where I stopped...you have to stop him. If you don't get rid of him now...he'll do worse..."

"I can't do it...I don't want to do it grandmother...I just wanna live a normal life...please spare me..." Aviva sobs back.

"I love him...I love him grandmother..." This seems to anger her grandmother...as she lay a curse on her.

"You'll have to watch your own love...die an excruciating death right in front of you....with your hands...you'll end his life. I curse you grandchild. onwards the curse of the heavens will be upon you. You shall have no peace...you shall find no comfort. Your misery will never cease...you shall seek death but won't find...and you'll keep agonizing in pain until you fulfill the wishes of the heavens....whether it's 100 years...or 1000 years...you shall be miserable unless you do according to what the gods wants...I place this curse on you Aviva...henceforth...YOU...ARE...CURSED!!" That was her last words before she gave up the ghost.

From then...Aviva's life became miserable as she said.

The curse started taking effective immediately. Rowan disappeared, her grandmother died.

Everything shattered.

JASON'S HOUSE.

Peninah watch from the window as Jason and his grandfather who had visited abruptly talk in the garden.

"What's this?" Jason quirked his brow as his grandfather dropped his visa on the table.

"I've booked a flight for this weekend...you're leaving" He announced.

"What?"

"Since you wouldn't leave her...I'm planning on separating you myself. I won't just stand and watch my only blood run into ruins."

"What nonsense are you_"

"Once Margaret is done with everything...she'd come join you. For now you should go first and wait for her. While you do, establish yourself and become the perfect man...any successful woman would want"

"You can't do this to me...you think I'd let you. Why? Did you plan this with Margaret? You think I'll be the fool and just go along with it!! "

"You're my grandfather...you don't own my life. I decide who I keep with me"

"Like you said I'm your grandfather...and the only family you have right now. I can take away everything you have right now from you...everything without leaving none. That's why you have to listen to me...I've made my decision and that's final"

"If you like you can get married before leaving...in case you're worried about her being taken away by anyone. I've talked to her...and she agreed. You two will registered your marriage first then you will leave. She'll join you after a year or two"

Jason scoffs.

"Grandson...don't try to act otherwise...you're doing this whether you like it or not. Get rid of that seductress before tomorrow...I'll be back and when I am...she mustn't be here...understand?" He asked firmly.