The Fairy's Curse #WATTYS2015

Chapter 4

I was so shocked to see Judy standing next to Lane. I couldn't even move, I was so confused. She just looked up at him and back at me. She began to stutter as she tried to figure out something, anything to say that could make this right.

"Winter, I...I can explain all of this. Once I figure out how. I...Lane...we both..." She tried to explain this but she couldn't. So I looked to Lane.

"Judy...I mean Willow is my sister. Will and I work together. She marks the person and I bring them to my father. She keeps tabs on them until I get there. When I saw her I left. I wanted to move on. Find someone else. I thought..."

"Wait. Hold on a second. Find someone else? Are you kidding me? What does that mean?" I asked, suddenly furious. He looked back at Judy...Willow...and sighed. He looked at a loss for words as well.

"So you mean to tell me you actually look for people to curse? You go out in the human world and you look for someone, anyone that is willing to break a few rules that humans don't even know about?" They both nodded. I can't believe this. "And Judy, you had a part in this?"

"Winnie, I'm sorry. I had to. It's my job. In the beginning I set up that store in hopes someone would come in looking for a job and then you did. You walked right in the door and did everything you were supposed to. Then you told me your story. And I got to know you and you became my friend, became someone I cared about and I couldn't go through with it anymore. I was actually trying to get your mom, but she never leaves the house. Then I saw you with Lane and I knew it was all over with. They found you." I felt tears sting my eyes again. I couldn't believe this.

"I...Judy you were the one person I trusted the most. How could you do this to me? How could you lie to me?" I asked. She couldn't answer me. Lane then stepped forward and tried to pull on my elbow again.

"Stop that!" I yelled out. At that point a older looking woman came walking in as Lane let go. I looked at her and could automatically tell she was their mother. She looked just like Judy and had the same brown hair as her son.

"Lane, Willow? What's going on?" She asked. She then looked at me and sighed. "Not again. Who is she?" She looked to her son. Lane pressed his lips into a line and tried to answer his mother.

"Mother, this is Winter Jefferson. Father cursed her and she has to stay here for a while. Just until I can find her a place." I could see understanding settle in her features and I could see the apology in her eyes.

"What's your curse?" She asked. I looked to Lane who gave me the okay to answer.

"I'm forbidden to love."

"Consider yourself lucky. I was cursed to bare the King's children." She said before walking back to where she came from. I looked to Lane and Judy and saw the hurt their mother's words caused. Lane went to grab my elbow again, but thought better of it. He then motioned for me to walk ahead of him. I nodded and walked out of the room.

Lane led me up two flights of steps and down two hallways. This house was huge. A lot bigger than it seemed from the outside. He then led me to a huge bedroom with beautiful furniture. I was starting to like this. The most I had at home was a mattress on the floor and an old trunk for clothes. In the basement.

"This is your room. Just until I can find you a place of your own. It may not be as grand by it will get you by. There is food downstairs, the bathroom is down the hall, and dinner is in a few hours." Lane explained before closing the door. I just stood there and looked around. This was it. This was my life now. But somehow I feel I can live with that.

About two hours later, Judy...I mean Willow was shaking me to wake up. I hadn't realized I was so tired. I hadn't realized how long it had been since I was taken from that street at one in the morning. It was now six the following evening. It had been almost a day and I was exhausted.