The Stories of Latia, Vol. 2: Demon's Curse

Chapter 4: Secret

Chapter 4: Secret

The Narrator

Jayme pulls the tie out of his shirt collar as he flops himself back onto his bed, after returning from his dinner with Alex. He fished his phone out of his pocket to check if he got any messages, to which he had none. He dropped the phone onto his pillow and as it hits it, he recalls how Cassidy was acting weird about her hair before she left. He stares at the ceiling, pondering as to what exactly it could be, when he hears her and Avery lightly laughing in the other room, and decides to just ask her about it.

Knock knock knock.

"Come in," Avery responds after he knocks on their bedroom door.

He lightly pushes the door open to see Cassidy, standing in front of the large wardrobe, and Avery sitting on the queen-sized bed, fidgeting with the gold earrings she has on.

"Hey, Jayme. Woah. Nice get-up, where'd you go?" Avery asks after noticing Jayme's fancy attire.

"Just uhm- Just dinner with Alex," Jayme blushes a little as Cassidy and Avery smile at each other.

"So, what can we help you with?" Cassidy asks.

"Oh, yeah. I wanted to talk to you about... something, really quick," Jayme begins, gesturing to Cassidy.

"Oh, okay. What is it?"

"Uhm... Preferably alone?" Jayme awkwardly states, glancing at Avery, as did Cassidy.

"Oh. Okay. I'll be right back," Cassidy says to Avery, who looks slightly concerned, as she follows Jayme out of the room and down the staircase, Jayme making sure Avery's out of earshot.

"What did you want to talk about?" Cassidy asks when they're both at the bottom of the stairs.

"I- uhm. I wanted to ask about your blue hair that you were being weird about earlier," Jayme bluntly whispers.

"I told you, it's nothing. I was just experimenting with hair dye," Cassidy quickly dismisses.

"Cassidy... I know hair dye doesn't get that... fluorescent. Please, just tell me the truth."

Cassidy stares at the floor between them for a while, before answering.

"I first noticed it during the Christmas dinner. I didn't -and still don't- know what it is," Cassidy whispers.

"I only have one thought as to what it could be..." Cassidy begins again, but she stops herself.

"What?"

Cassidy softly grunts "can I tell you a secret that you cannot tell Ave?"

"Sure," Jayme replies, scared as to what she was going to say next.

"There was more to me and Two's deal than what I said. I said I just threatened him and he let James go, but... I accepted something from it in exchange."

"What something?"

"A curse," Cassidy softly states.

"What?! Why would you accept a curse?" Jayme exclaims, quickly lowering his voice as he did so.

"It threatened her, okay? It said it would kill her, and you, and James, and everyone else if I didn't," Cassidy sorrowfully explains, causing them both to fall silent.

"I suspect this has something to do with that," Cassidy breaks the silence, gesturing to her hair.

"Have you tried a-a-asking James? He was the host, he might know what exactly it is," Jayme offers.

"No, I haven't."

"You need to. We have to figure out what this curse is and what it'll do to you."

"I know. I can find him tomorrow, but... can you please come with me? In case the news is bad," Cassidy whispers, her voice breaking.

"Of course. We'll figure this out, okay?" Jayme reassures, rubbing Cassidy's shoulder.

"Thank you," Cassidy pulls Jayme in for a hug, as they both lightly cry into each other's shoulders.