The Cursed

Chapter 3

SEBASTIAN

I weaved through the crowded hallways, my long strides making quick work of the winding passage of the ancient school. My breath was shallow, my heartbeat drumming in my ears. The cold stone walls blurred past me, my mind racing as fast as my feet. I needed to find them. To tell them. I couldn’t have seen what I just saw. And yet, the image of her face burned into my memory. Those piercing green eyes and scattered freckles across her porcelain skin, as if the sun itself had brushed her with a constellation of its beauty. 

In the common room, I saw Beckett reclining in a large, tattered armchair with a book balanced on one knee. Ophelia and Adrian were sitting cross-legged on the floor, engaged in a deep conversation while playing a game of enchanted chess. I strode over in urgency. 

“I need to speak with you all. Now.” I said, my voice a harsh whisper that made all three of them look up in unison. 

The serious tone in my voice caught their attention. They exchanged glances before following me out of the common room, concern etched on their faces. I led them outside, where the sky was heavy with dark clouds, the air thick with the promise of rain. A stiff wind whipped through the stone archways, carrying with it the faint scent of earth and damp leaves. Ophelia was the first to speak. Her sleek, dark hair whipped around her face as she studied me with a frown. 

“Sebastian, are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” 

I felt sick to my stomach, as fear and disbelief battled as the overriding emotion. 

“She’s here.” 

None of them reacted, their confusion clear. Adrian frowned, tilting his head. 

“Who?” 

“Her.” I said, placing heavy emphasis on the word. 

Ophelia was the first to realize as her hands flew to her mouth. Her eyes widened. 

“Are you certain?” 

I nodded, clutching my stomach. 

“I saw her in the hallway. She bumped into me.” 

Adrian’s face drained of color, and he exchanged worried glances with us. 

“Does this mean the prophecy has been fulfilled?” 

Beckett, however, rolled his eyes and stood up straight, a frustrated look crossing his features. 

“Oh, come on, Sebastian.” He scoffed, folding his arms. “You’re being absurd. There’s no prophecy, and she’s not the girl.” 

I turned to face him, desperate for him to believe me. 

“I know what I saw, Beckett. She’s here, at this school.” 

He took a step closer, his posture tense and his voice low. 

“You’re seeing what you want to see,” He said, his voice dripping with disdain. “The prophecy is a fairytale.” 

Ophelia shook her head.

“Sebastian saw her. That proves it is true. He would never make something like this up.” 

Beckett’s frustration seemed to reach a boiling point. He spun, his expression darkening as he stared at Ophelia. 

“I don’t care what he would or wouldn’t do. She’s not the girl.” 

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and stormed off, his footsteps echoing through the courtyard. We stood in stunned silence, watching him leave. The sky rumbled, a distant flash of lightning cutting through the clouds, and the first few raindrops fell. I swallowed hard, my chest heaving with a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. I glanced at the pair, my eyes wide with fear. 

“You believe me, don’t you?” 

Ophelia nodded, though her face was still clouded with uncertainty. 

“Of course we do, Seb,” she whispered. “We just don’t know what this means.” 

“I don’t know either.” I said, my voice trembling. “But we need to find out.” 

We burst into the headmistress’s office, our breaths coming fast, excitement and fear buzzing through our veins. The room, shadowy with tall, heavy bookshelves and dimly flickering candles, felt more foreboding than usual. She was sitting behind her large mahogany desk, looking up as we entered. Her eyes were sharp and knowing, as if she was expecting us. I couldn’t contain myself. 

“Headmistress, I saw her.” I said. “Please tell me it’s really her.”

A faint smile played at the corners of her lips. 

“Yes, Sebastian, it is her.” She replied. “That’s why I summoned you all to this school. I had a hunch she’d be arriving soon, and you need to be here to show her the way.” 

Adrian stepped forward, uncharacteristically serious. 

“So… the prophecy is true, then?” 

The headmistress leaned back in her chair, her gaze thoughtful. 

“I had my doubts,” she said. “but when I saw her walk through those doors, I felt it. The prophecy is coming to life.” 

A burdened silence fell over the room as we glanced at each other, a mix of uncertainty and fear in our eyes. None of us truly understood what this means. 

“You need to make her acquaintance,” she said. “Gain her trust and help her. She does not know of her powers, or even what she is capable of.” 

Ophelia frowned, her confusion clear in her brows. 

“How is that even possible?” she asked. “How could she not know?” 

The headmistress shook her head. 

“I am uncertain. But I can sense her magic is strong, very strong. Without guidance, her potent magic has the potential to cause great harm - to herself and others. Her name is Cassandra.” 

At the mention of her name, I felt my heart swell with joy and relief. Cassandra. She was here. After all these years, she was finally here. Before anyone could object, I turned and bolted out of the room, a newfound urgency in my steps. I could hear Ophelia and Adrian close on my heels. Her hand wrapped around my wrist just as I rounded the corner of the hallway. 

“Sebastian, wait!” She said, breathless. “What are you doing?” 

I turned to her with desperation.

“I have to find her. I need to see her.” 

Her grip tightened, concern written across her face. 

“Sebastian, you must remember - she doesn’t know you. She doesn’t remember. You can’t force this on her.”

Frustration flickered through me. 

“I know that.” I snapped. “But I’ve been waiting so long, Ophelia. I can’t wait anymore. I need to find out for myself if it truly is her.” 

Ophelia hesitated, but let go of my wrist. 

“Just… don’t overwhelm her,” she said. “Please.” 

I nodded. 

“I’ll be careful.” I said, even though I wasn’t sure I could keep that promise. 

I turned and took off again, my heart pounding as I navigated the winding halls, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts. I had to find her. She was here and nothing was going to stop me from finding her.