The Genie's Curse

Chapter 33

Keme's words rang through her head, every single word he spoke unable to leave her thoughts. She wanted to have an answer from him, on whether he believed she had the guts to do what she wanted or was all bark and no bite. Believing if he answered one or the other it'd help her make more sense of everything.

"We're here." Keme opened the door for her and out of the car, they went. The instant view she got was of the vast view of the rice terraces Banaue was known for.

Unconsciously sucking in a breath when looking at the place, so beautiful she would have believed it was sculpted by hand and not a natural area.

"I really can't believe the view..." she gasped.

Keme smiled at her expression, however the reminder that they weren't there to chit chat and take a stroll arched him forward, pointing ahead, " Over there, Keir should be in one of those houses."

Tsuru's face was stoic, "Alright, then why are we all the way here then?"

"Well, this is as far as we can go on the car, we weren't even supposed to get here this way. Now here take this backpack." He handed her the bag and strapped on his own. Allon appeared around the side of the car staring at the view, contemplating it in his own silence.

Their walk began, not an easy one considering Tsuru wasn't exactly on the exercising routine, making her feel like every step she took would be her last. By the time they reached the group of houses, she felt like passing out on the spot.

Allon walked behind Tsuru while Keme walked at the front, every time she would slip a little Allon was in the back for support, "Hang in there." He told her, helping her back on her feet. The bubbling feeling of being so near to the one thing she wished to end making her palms sweaty.

"Are you sure he is here, Keme? Not like last time." She questioned making sure it wasn't all for nothing.

"I'm sure." Said Keme, reaching a hand out to her, "He'll be here."

She grabbed his hand and felt him pull her, "How did you even make sure he was here?"

"Allon did." He told her.

Allon hummed behind them, "Any genie who has managed to live this long has acquaintances and ally's in different places. Some more than others, so I asked a few favors." He crossed his hands over his chest and looked at Keme, "Overall Keme has his own allies and I have mine."

Tsuru nodded in understanding, continuing down the road with both of them. Not long after did they reach the first house, seeing someone standing in the back watching them closely. Keme waved at the mysterious person and they came down rushing to him.

"Keir is about to leave. You need to hurry if you want to catch him." The mysterious person turned out to be a young teen boy, with short messy hair. His arm extends pointing at a group of people walking, "He's in that group."

Keme thanked him and handed him a bag of which the contents were unknown. Just a small jingle for them to guess what might have been inside. In a second Keme took Tsuru's hands and dragged her behind him, near the group the boy pointed at. Allon jogged behind them, keeping an eye out for their surroundings.

"Wait!" She spoke abruptly, pulling away from him, her eyes glued to the group.

The familiar face of the man she once loved poking out through the crowd unaware of her presence. A small bit of surprise seeing he hadn't changed his appearance, looking the same as he did all those years ago.

She could hear her fastened heartbeat against her chest, her attention now darted to Keme who clutched her shoulders and shook her out of her thought, "Hey, come on we gotta get to it"

"I... uh."

"Tsuru, what's wrong?" He inquired when she didn't answer.

She pushed him away and walked in the opposite direction, "I... I can't look at him." She whispered, Hugging herself, "I can't."

Keme was about to walk after her when Allon waved him off and walked after her, gently pressing a hand to her shoulder, "Are you scared?"

"No." Said Tsuru, pacing back and forth, "I'm not scared, I'm just... ugh."

"Come on, use words and not grunts." He looked her in the eyes.

"I can't look at him, I just can't." Stammering in her words she was pacing back and forth.

"Why?"

"Because he hasn't changed, I don't know why I didn't expect this, he's immortal after all-"

"It's ok" he told her, "You just need a little time, right?"

"Yeah, a little time, a little time..." she trailed off looking at the ground, drops of sweat running down her forehead, "How will I-"

He grabbed her hand and gave her a smile, "Don't worry, I'll get you some time. It won't be much thought , so you'll have to hurry your panic moment a little."

Allon made his way to Keir's group, his voice unable to reach Tsuru's ears. Not that she paid much mind while trying to control her surge of panic. Snapping to look at Keme who stared back at her, his face rid of any emotion.

She didn't have to say a word to him when he stood beside her, "I already told you, it's your choice. You decide if you kill him, or just let it go." He reached a hand to the back of his shirt, revealing a gun, he slowly paced to her grabbing her hand and placing it in her grasp, "All you gotta do is aim, and shoot. Unless you've got some special weapon in your grasp."

It was now the time to make the choice, whether she shot Keir or not, whether she was going to take her revenge or let it go. Now was the time where she had to forget all the feelings she once felt for the man, and finally leave it in the past.