third time's a charm

27

"We've been to so many addresses already," Jaylerr lamented to Thana, his girlfriend. "This is like the sixth one. I hope this journey is worth it."

Thana noticed the strain in his voice as she surveyed the three-story apartment before them. Most of the places they'd visited, once inhabited by her uncle, were either abandoned or ransacked. There was little to suggest any hint of the alleged curse, and she was beginning to lose hope of uncovering the answers they sought.

"Thana..." Jaylerr began.

"I heard you," she replied dryly. "But I can't just give up. My brother's future is on the line here."

Jaylerr sighed, moving to stand beside her. "What if there's no curse at all?" he proposed. "What if it's all in the power of the mind? The more you believe in these things, the more real they become. Have you ever considered that?"

Thana looked at him, acknowledging the logic in his words, but the thought of risking anything when it came to Win, her brother, was unbearable. She couldn't bear the idea of him suffering the same fate as their uncle, passing on bitterness from one generation to the next.

"Please... I need your support," she implored.

Jaylerr took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Alright... let's go check this one out and see what other horrors await us." She chuckled at his response, taking his offered hand as they made their way towards the building.

╔══ ≪ °❈° ≫ ══╗

"Guys...I think I saw Madame Sukie."

At lunchtime, after they wrapped up their museum tour and were treated to a mind-blowing modern interpretation of Beethoven by street musicians that left them questioning their life decisions, Win remained lost in his own thoughts. The psychic's lingering presence weighed on him, stirring unease he couldn't shake.

Gun finished swallowing his food before replying to his best friend's question. "Why would she be here? It's not like she knows where we are, right?"

"She's a psychic," New remarked, hunting for the salt on the table. "She probably foresaw it in one of her visions. Anyway, I'm with Gun on this, Win. Why would she be following you?"

Win paused, pondering for a moment. "I know what I saw."

Tay continued chewing on his food as he spoke, "You're just hallucinating because you're too worried about what happened to her. Maybe she got murdered or something..."

New shot him a weary glance. "Why are you so morbid?"

"I'm just saying," Tay persisted, "she always predicts scary stuff. Not everyone appreciates that. If she's not telling everyone Win is going to die soon, she'll be warning people about incoming disasters! Remember what happened on that plane?"

"No one actually knows if it's related to that plane," Win clarified. "She delivers her predictions in parables, claiming she only sees flashes of images."

"Yet, she was so certain you're going to die," Gulf interjected, breaking his silence. He had been quietly eating his lunch but was now fully engaged. "What makes you so sure it was her you saw?"

"Please! I've been interviewing that woman for more than a week. I've known her since college. It's like her very essence is engraved in my brain!" Win asserted.

Gun set down his utensils and turned to face his best friend. "Win, this is a four-day event before I marry Off. Let's try to enjoy this, alright? Stop dwelling on her."

Gulf interjected, "Excuse me, but we can't just ignore her, you know? If you see her, ask if she intends to continue with the project. I'll pay double."