Lizzy Ford: Cursed

The tale chilled Jayden as much as the key in his hand. It didn’t seem possible that the boy his age had killed two hundred people.

“And then you’re free,” he whispered.

“And then I’m free,” Charles agreed. “I can finish out my life in peace and die with dignity.”

Jayden didn’t ask about the lives Charles claimed. There was no dignity in being struck down by a four hundred year old boogeyman from a curse.

Hang on, Jayden. You can do it.

Another voice, this one familiar, though he wasn’t able to place it.

“It’s not right. The people you killed weren’t even involved in this,” Jayden said, motioning to the spot where the three had stood.

“We knew the risks,” Charles replied.

“You knew so many would die?”

“We knew the curse would return upon us three times whatever harm we caused,” Charles said. “We both swore to bear the penance. The more gold I got, the more I wanted, and the more I did wrong to get it. I was stricken by gold lust. I forgot why I wanted it and destroyed as many lives as it took to get more. I feel fortunate the price was only ninety-nine from each House. Considering the evil I did, I could’ve wiped out both families many times over.”

Jayden felt sick. He couldn’t let himself imagine how many lives his ancestor had sold into slavery or outright destroyed.

“Not Adrienne.” He didn’t know why entirely, but he knew she had to live.

“Tell her sister. Therese is the one who set her up,” Charles said. “She couldn’t break the spell and so she shifted it to another, in hopes of one day living again. I’ve been debating what to do: take the easy target, Adrienne, or continue chasing her sister.”

“Her own sister did this?”

“She did. Tragic lovers.” Charles’ eyes went to the spot where the three had been. “Repeating history. Incurring the wrath of a curse whose power they cannot begin to understand. If Therese succeeds in returning, she will destroy many lives. ”

“White zombie.” Jayden wasn’t certain where the odd words came from.

“Yes.”

“What am I doing here?” he demanded.

“You tell me. You showed up in my memory.” Charles smiled. “They’ve been trying to bring you back since you arrived. Why are you here, Jayden?”

Because it’s important I understand what happened. I just don’t know why.

The same way Adrienne had captured his attention with one look, this odd place and its tragic story did as well. His family was free of the curse, and he didn’t even know who Adrienne was, aside from a picture and what his sister told him.

The idea of her dying at the hands of someone who looked like him, though, did not sit well. She shouldn’t die because of something her ancestors did. But what business was it of his to interfere? To warn her? To call the police?

Could the police even protect her against someone who wasn’t supposed to be alive?

“Is there a way to make things right without anyone else dying?” Jayden asked.

“If there is, I never found it. The curse must be fulfilled. It’s the only way to end it. After Brianne married that man, she had twins, born minutes a part. The firstborn was a girl, the second a boy. I spent my first fifty years fighting the curse. I prayed for weeks at a time, tried to kill myself, converted to every religion in existence at the time,” Charles said, pensive. “Nothing worked. Nothing lifted the curse from my shoulders. All the while, I built an empire of gold by selling our people.

“One night, I gave up. I went to bed with two bottles of whiskey and a gun, praying I’d just die. You know what happened?”

Jayden shook his head.

“When I awoke three days later, I found the bodies of every firstborn from both families, stacked like firewood in my yard.” Charles smiled, a strange light in his eyes.

Jayden backed away, not liking what he heard.

“My own son and grandson. Brianne’s daughter and her granddaughter. A few firstborn nephews, nieces and cousins. Twelve bodies total, every firstborn from both families for fifty years. I realized then that I couldn’t fight a power that forced me to take the life of my own son. So, I stopped trying. I accepted my penance and my obligation and I did what I was suppose to do.”

“There has to be another way,” Jayden said, horrified. “My god or your gods … they would never condemn someone to suffer in this way.”

“Well, I never figured it out. One more, and I’m done,” Charles said. “At this point, you have a bigger concern. Adrienne’s sister is getting ready to bring a new kind of evil upon you all, stemming from her attempts to prevent the curse from being fulfilled.”

“Charles, there must be a way to stop this, before –”

Suddenly, he felt as if he was yanked out of his body and thrown into a wall. Light exploded around him, blinding him. Blurred activity was loud around him, and he struggled to understand what was going on. He tried to breathe then choked, but couldn’t cough. He was drowning.

“We got him!” someone called. “Easy, Jayden.”

Hands pressed him back, and his strength gave out. He lay still, freaked out by the inability to see straight or control what was happening to his body. The scent of flowers was replaced by that of antiseptic and blood.

Gradually, he began to realize where he was. While he wasn’t able to focus, he recalled being stabbed by a blonde woman. The strange dream faded without leaving completely. He thought he saw a familiar flash of red – Charles’ robe – but couldn’t turn his head to see if his ancestor was there.

After what felt like forever, the activity around him slowed. Jayden found himself able to focus better. The more he concentrated on fully entering reality, the less he recalled of his dream, until it was too disjointed to remember.

The steady beeps of hospital machines grew sharp and clear. The bed he was on wasn’t soft, but it was firm, and the chill of an air conditioner touched his skin.

“How we doing?” a friendly doctor with large brown eyes asked, leaning over.

Jayden grunted. He felt like his body weighed two tons. He lifted an arm, but it took effort and made him sweat.

“Good. You had a close call, but you’re doing good. Any pain?”

“No,” Jayden answered. “Hospital.”

“Yes, sir. You’re at a hospital. I want you to get some rest before we allow visitors,” the doctor continued. “I’m going to increase your meds just a little, so you sleep tonight. In the morning, you can talk to your parents. Sound like a plan?”

“Sure.”

“Good.”

Jayden had just shaken his grogginess when it returned, settling over him heavily enough to pull him into unconsciousness.

This time, he dreamt of the girl he was supposed to know, but didn’t. She was trapped in a darkness similar to that of his dreams, her green eyes panicked. Her voice was faint, distant, and he strained to hear it.

I can’t sing. Help me sing.

Over and over, she repeated the words. Eventually, she broke into sobs and sank into the darkness, disappearing.

“Wait!” he cried, reaching for her.

She was gone, and the dream faded with her.

I can’t forget. Have to help Adrienne.

Jayden repeated the words silently over and over, fighting the darkness of slumber. Adrienne slid from his mind, forgotten, and was soon followed by the vow.

A deep, unnatural sleep claimed him, and his mind went quiet.