The Blessed And The Cursed

Chapter 3 Responsibility

It felt like she had been chasing him forever no matter how many times he tried to loose her it never worked. Eventually He stoped to catch his breath hiding in an alleyway. Chief was so tired he flopped on the floor and just fell asleep. Harper sighed knowing that Mary was now going to catch up. "Guess this is the end of the chase Chief." Harper sank down to the floor trying to catch his breath.

Just as he thought Mary found them. It took her a while to catch her breath but as soon as she could speak she said "You said you did know what the exorcist was!"

Harper stands up intimidated by her being taller than him. "Can you please lower your voice" His voice was lowered to a whisper but that seemed to upset her.

"If you are the exorcist tell me, why haven't you done anything?!" She was almost surprised at how angry she was.

He sighed "I- I cant..." His eyes lost that glow and it looked like he remembered something he didn't want to.

She felt bad for asking but she needed to know "But you just cured me how hard can it be?" Chief woke up and walked to him, like he knew his master was sad.

"The curse that was on you was an object curse so it's easier to cure." He patted Chief making him happy.

"I haven't done anything because I don't want to hurt anyone..." She remembered how easy it looked to cure her before. How could he hurt someone? Wasn't his power stopping people from hurting?

"Well I don't know what you've been through, but you did save me so I should be thanking you." He looked up at her then chuckled "Yea I guess I did."

She locked her eyes with his and smiled "I mean it. Thank you."

He felt his face turn red and he quickly turned away. "It wasn't that big of a deal." He chuckled nervously.

Mary sees that he must have some sort of sad backstory tied to this but he's the only one who can save the world from the cursed. She didn't want to say it out loud but she thought it was so stupid that he wouldn't do anything.

Harper knew he could help but something was stoping him. Maybe he just needed a little encouragement!

She loved that idea! If she could find one specific thing that he could do and convince him to do it maybe he would help!

Harper noticed her excitement and looked at Chief who also looked confused.

Mary brightly smiled and exclaimed "Wait here for a sec!"

She ran off hoping he would stay put while she quickly grabbed one of the newspapers she saw a while back.

Harper toyed with the idea of walking off but then he remembers that she just chased after him through the city, so he should at least her what she has to say. Plus Chief looked pretty comfy here so he would have stayed here even if she didn't tell him too.

Mary came rushing back a little out of breath the exclaimed "Wanna read the news with me?!" she flopped onto the ground unfolding the newspaper before Harper could say anything.

He shrugged and thought why not! It's not like he has anything important to do.

Harper scanned the pice of paper until something caught his eye. In Bold letters this article said

The Whole City Of Armistan Threatened By A Cursed.

Harper had been to that town before It was quite lovely. He remembers the fresh baked bread that this town is famously known for. The thought of a cursed threatening and tricking them made him almost want to do something.

Mary noticed him reading the article "Wow those poor people! It says here that the cursed was someone they knew! Imagine that, someone you know taking over your town. Betraying everyone!"

Harper looked up at her realizing her plan. "Yes, well I'm sure the knights can handle it." He stood up knowing that if he stayed he would want to help even more.

Mary sighed "Why won't you do it? Whats holding you back?" She stood up staring intently into his bright eyes.

He looked away and muttered "I- I just cant..." He didn't want a repeat of a second ago when she asked the same question. So he woke up Chief with a short whistle.

Mary picked up a newspaper and took a deep breath. "Well obviously the knights art going to do anything because the kind is making money off of the newsletters. So, someone has to do something!" She folded the paper and and began to walk away.

"Im going to get onto the next train to Armistan. If you change your mind I'll be there." She turned and walked away hoping he would say something, but he didn't.

Harper just watched her walk off. Inside he wanted so bad to help but his fear held him back. Its not like he didn't know how to use his powers. He in fact knew how to use them well, but something kept telling him that what happened in the past will happen again. He doesn't want to hurt anyone ever again. So he called Chief to walk away but chief sat there whining.

Harper looked at what Chief could possibly be whining about. It wasn't because Mary left because Chief was looking in another direction.

In that direction there was an old and dirty man faintly calling for help. In front of the man was a dog twitching and whining. The man looked up at Harper with hopeful eyes "You sir can you help me?" The man looked like he was loosing all hope of saving this dog.

Harper ran over to see what he could do. "What happened?" He asked as he scanned the old man and his dog.

The old man grabbed a hold of Harpers hands. The old mans hands were cold and shaky and he began to explain his voice almost sounding like a whisper.

"My dog has been cursed and no one could help him. They told me that animals don't respond well to curses and that he would be dead in a few days." The man paused holding back his tears "Davy here has been my companion for many years and I don't think I could handle loosing him."

Harper had a feeling that this man must have heard his conversation with Mary earlier. He hoped that wasn't the case.

"Im so sorry sir..." The man looked up at him confused.

"Are you doubting yourself son?" The man let go of his hands and Harper focused on his face. The man almost looked blind.

"Doubting myself?" Harper let those words sink in for a second. Was he just doubting himself? Yes, yes he was. He knew this and never really wanted to admit it.

Chief sat next to Davy the dying dog and Harper hesitated. He didn't want to hurt this dog that would break the mans heart.

The man caught his gaze and smiled "Everyone doubts themselves. But letting it stop you is your choice." The man gestured to his dog.

Harper looked away from the man and stared at his own hands as he remembered what Mary asked earlier.

"Whats holding you back?"

Harper muttered "Im the one holding me back..." Then he sat up straight gaining new confidence as he pulled the curse energy from the dog filling the ally with purple smoke.

Harper watched as the smoke disappeared in the sky. He quickly looked down at the dog who was now getting up and licking the mans face.

Harper felt like crying. He smiled then that turned into a chuckle "I- I did it! I cured a living thing without hurting it! It's all thanks to you Gramps!" Harper looked down but the man wasn't there. "Woah..." Harper wondered how he did that but something crossed his mind before he could dive too deep.

"Chief!" The loyal dog turned to him smiling "We've got a train to catch!" And he sped off without another word.

Mary got on the train wondering what she could even do to help the people of Armistan. She couldn't fight maybe she could talk to the cursed? That pebbly wouldn't do anything

She sighed slumping her face into her hands. Then something wet touched her hands. Terrified she flinched backwards wiping her hands on her skirt.

"Chief!" She began to pet the kind black lab while looking up at Harper.

He smiled "You miss me?"