Chapter 2: The Curse

Eveline's point of view

Throughout the week I helped her with the small tasks inside afraid to go outside. She loved having someone to talk to and I feel like she has been here alone for a long time. Days went by and I stayed in the cave I heard many stories from Ithaca of the old day, as she calls it. She had quite a few adventures in her day. When we weren't telling stories or doing chores we were playing board games.

She was sweeping as I sat next to the fire deep in thought already finished with my chores; ever since I got to Ithaca’s I didn't have time to just sit and think, which I was thankful for, who knows what my mind would decide to think about if I let it. Unfortunately today was different, I had finished my chores early giving me the extra time that I dreaded.

My village popped into my mind, I knew I would never be able to see them again. My home will never be my home again, my past has been taken by the flames so cruel that it left no one left, no one but me. The pain was crumbling and the longer I sat there the stronger it became.

"Are you okay" Ithaca asked sitting next to me noticing a change within me

"Yeah I'm fine I guess I’m just tired" I lied hoping she wouldn’t press it. She simply nods dropping the subject for which I was eternally grateful.

"You know I used to have a beautiful girl who was a lot like you. I always told her she had a wild spirit."

"What happened?"

"She decided to leave one night; I always waited for her to come back but she still hasn't. That was her bed but I never was able to convince myself to get rid of it," she sighed sadness filling her. “I guess a part of me always hoped she would come home.”

"How long ago did she leave?"

"About ten years ago"

"Oh I'm sorry” I was surprised it had been so long. I debated on dropping the conversation but I still had one question so I decided to keep going, “why did she leave"

"It was a small misunderstanding between us; It doesn't matter anymore I just want her to come back." She replied and the conversation ended.

We sat around the fire for a while talking before getting in bed, her conversations distracted me just enough to forget my village and fall into a deep sleep.

The next morning I finally got the courage to go outside. I helped Ithaca with the laundry and dishes. When I finished my chores I walked up to the lake that was in front of the cave and stood with my feet in the water feeling somehow stronger. The cold February air blew my hair out of my ponytail as I stood taking in the beauty of this place.

My village popped back into my mind, the tears brimming my eyes just waiting to come out. I have kept all my emotions inside for over a week and now I just wanted to let go of it all. I was tired of feeling so lost, so scared. The beast had ruined my life, ruined my family’s life, I should have let him have me, I should have died with them, and I should have been at home. Warm streams flowed down my cheeks. I was so angry, so lost that everything seemed thousand of miles away. I wiped the tears continuously but each tear was replaced with another then another. My tears had finally stopped and I sat down leaning against a tree, trying to forget the pain, to forget the memories. I sat there for hours just staring off into the distance my mind numb to my surroundings.

When the sun started setting I headed towards the cave, Ithaca right behind me. I had just got into the cave when panic flooded through me. Behind me was a blood shattering scream. My heart skipped a beat as I feared what I would see. I turned around and the beast had its hand wrapped around Ithaca's neck. She kicked and fought but it was no use I knew she was getting weaker.

"STOP!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, hurt and anger flooding through me. The beast looked at me and turned his head before dropping Ithaca and running back into the trees. I don’t understand why he left but he did, almost as if he had no choice, almost as if I had made him. I ran over to Ithaca to check if she was okay. It didn’t look like he stabbed her so maybe she was fine, just maybe. That’s when I noticed a sharp branch pierced through her chest. She gasped trying to get air into her lungs. I wrapped her in my arms and tried to comfort her. I tried to take away the pain by distracting her like she did with me. I smoothed her hair back out of her face as the corners of her mouth filled with blood. "It’s okay, you're going to be just fine" I said trying to contain my tears knowing it wasn't true, but the words seemed to give her peace. It was only minutes later that I watched her eyes fluttering shut as she took her last breath. I held her crying, knowing this was all my fault. I had led the beast here. I had killed her.

It was hours later when the tears finally stopped I had realized that everything I had ever known was gone taken away like a burnt out flame. There was a rustling in the trees and I saw the beast he was charging at me but I didn't move; I didn't have the will nor the time to. It slammed into me pinning me to the ground he wrapped his hand around my neck, I didn't even fight, I didn’t want to fight anymore, I wanted peace, I wanted my friends and family, and I wanted to be happy. And with that I slowly lost consciousness.

* * *

I was standing in a field of flowers next to a swing set. My old neighborhood park before we moved to the village. As I walked further I came across a river I used to camp by with my grandparents. Tears burned my eyes as I thought about how I'll never get to experience those things again. Even though no one else was here I didn't feel alone. The scene changed to the village in its busiest hour, everyone was up moving around tending to their shops, kids playing, families laughing and then I saw my mom. When I walked towards her the scene changed to the cave; it wasn't much but it felt like home. Ithaca came into my mind and I couldn't keep the tears in. then it changed again and I saw my friends and I on the playground, I saw my mom and me eating ice cream on a summer day. I saw the ocean a place I haven’t been since I moved into the town. Then all of a sudden I was under water. I needed to come up for air but no matter how much I swam I couldn't find the top. It seemed as if I was in a sphere of water with no exit.

All of a sudden I came to, seeing the beast again. I thought about what I just saw all the moments I cherished all the friends I had made all the memories. Even though I had lost everyone the memories still remain inside of me. The warmth from the love I felt seeped into my soul and I never felt so alive. I realized they will live through me and see the things I see, do the things that I do. My love would keep them alive. Every time I cherished played in my head, each smile I had filled me with a warmth that just grew it overcame my fear, my anger until nothing was left but my love, their love.

I felt the beast's grip around my neck loosen and I started regaining my strength and fought back fighting for my family, for Ithaca. As my heart grew with love the beast shrunk and turned into a man. He raised his head and our eyes met. He looked relieved almost, he was tall with dark hair and eyes like the sea. Even through his shirt I could tell he was muscular. I stood there frightened by what just happened not sure what to do or what to say. I jumped as I heard something moving behind me, I turned my head to see Ithaca getting up.

"You broke the curse Eveline, you set him free and brought back those he had hurt." She told me

I looked back at the man who was just a moment ago a beast, “thank you Eveline, I am Arron James, I have been waiting for you for a long time. Your love has set me free and everyone I hurt"

His words rang in my head and I thought back to my village.

He had to have done that right? Does that mean everyone is back?

I ran as fast as I could towards my village. I heard Ithaca and Arron running behind me but I didn't care I just had to know. I arrived at my village and it felt as if I was hit by a wall. My air was knocked out of me, my world crumbling harder than before. My village was still ruined and everyone still there the blood now dry. I felt dizzy and light headed everything moving like a boat on the sea.

I swore he had to have done this so why hasn't it gone back, how are they still dead, could I have been wrong?

Arron came up behind me, I turned my head around and my tear-filled eyes met his.

"I didn't do this, I never touched the village. I know you don't believe me but I swear it's true. It would have gone back to how it used to be, I'm sorry Eveline" he seemed to have a sad look in his eyes that I didn't quite understand, I didn't care to understand. I was angry at everything, my whole world was gone again, I just had to go and get my hopes up. I didn't care if he did this or not this was his fault.

He went to put his hand on my shoulder to try and comfort me but I wouldn't let him.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" I yelled pulling my shoulder away.

The movement from pulling away made the dizziness worse, I started swaying slightly and just as I was about to hit the ground Arron caught me. I woke back up in his arms as he carried me back to the cave, I felt so sick and ended up throwing up all over him. It didn't even faze him and he continued walking to the cave with Ithaca following close behind. She didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to help and it just made me feel more alone.

Author's Note

let me know what you think of this chapter. What can i work on? what do you like?