The Curse

Chapter Ten- Only Option

Blackness.
Empty.
Nothing.

I can't care about anything at this point. And for a moment, I forget about Kuroji and his safety. I really feel like getting on the HeadMaster's nerves one more time so maybe he'll execute me. But every time I want to, I think of Kuroji. And how if I do get the HeadMaster to kill me, he'll probably suck Kuroji's...remaining blood.
What am I supposed to do? How did the HeadMaster kill her? Where is Kuroji? I just throw all those thoughts away and stare at the wall in our...my...house. Unconsciously, I begin walking. I walk to the gates of the castle and ask for the HeadMaster's appearance. "...If you want to see him, follow me." one of the guards at the gate says. I follow him into the castle and through the gate...then I remember what Mom said the first time I came to the HeadMasters doorway. "...whatever happens, know I love you and will always be here for you." Well, now she's not. And I'm going to make it up to her. Because after all this time, I thought this was all her fault. But really, it was always mine. I was the one that almost killed Kuroji. I went to see Kuroji. I was the one that ran off with the HeadMasters daughter, Jephudach, to drink blood. Mom was just trying to protect me. I'm pretty sure that I was cursed in the first place, because mom wanted to marry dad and have me. It really was never Mom's fault. "Are you coming for another punishment?" the HeadMaster says, grinning evilly.
"I am here to see Kuroji." I state. "Ah. Okay. And...I suppose you don't expect me to just let you see him?" he says. "No. After I see him, I have a deal I'd like to offer you." "A deal. Fine, go see him. Guards!" a couple guards come over and roughly grasp my arms. "Take her to the tortured human." he says. The guards lead me into a room, where Kuroji looks dead and is strapped to a chair. He is pale, and his eyes are bruised. He has cuts and scrapes everywhere. "...Oh my gosh..." I gasp to myself, tears filling my eyes. As soon as they let go of my arms, I run to Kuroji and press my ear to his chest to see if he's even alive, although deep inside I know they will keep him alive to bribe me. "Kuroji? Kuroji!?" I shout trying to wake him, wanting to see if he still remembers me at all. He slowly and slightly opens his eyes. "...Wild...Ro..." he mumbles. Wild Rose...Oh, Kuroji..."I'm here. I'm okay. I'm gonna get you out, okay...?" I say, looking at his hurt face, fighting back tears. He smiles, just slightly. I stand up as bravely as possible and hug Kuroji one last time. I smile at him, and before I begin walking to the HeadMaster, I see the expression on his face. Kuroji obviously figured out what I'm about to do, because he suddenly frowns and looks shocked. "No...you...don't!" he says with every ounce of strength he has left. I resist looking back and bite my lip, but one tear manages to fall. "Are you ready to tell me your deal?" the HeadMaster says as the guards grasp my arms again. "Yes." I say, annoyed that my voice is cracking. "Go on," he says, sounding almost bored. "If he goes back to the orphanage and you never touch him again, then...you can have me as trade." I say. The HeadMaster's eyes widen. He sits up to look me in the eye. "You can do whatever you want with me. Kill me, slave me...anything..." I say as bravely as I can at the moment. I know this is the right thing to do. Without any further speech, he says "Alright. Deal." "But I need to take him to the orphanage just in case you have anything up your sleeve." I say.
He stops to think. "I'm sending two guards to go with you, though." he says. He motions to the two cloaked guards holding me and waves us off while another guard throws Kuroji on the floor in front of me. The guards with me let go and I pick up Kuroji as gently as I can. With the guards trailing behind me, I run out of the castle and into the forest as fast as possible. Before I know it, I'm in front of his orphanage. I realize I've been crying. "Goodbye, Kuroji...I'll miss you..." I say, smiling, looking down at him. I set him at the doorstep of the orphanage and knock on the door. Then I walk away. I never thought something so painful could be as simple as that. But then I hear footsteps...I turn around and the weak Kuroji is running towards me, eyes watery. He hugs me and looks me in the eye. "No...don't go...I'll...I'll forget." he says, angry at himself. He's right, though. He will. "But I won't forget you." I say smiling, trying not to frown. Kuroji tries to speak but collapses. I catch him just in time. He needs help...I walk back and lay him down. I knock on the orphanage door and run away, towards my old home. I take one glance back, so I can always remember what he looks like. He looks at me, and a sad expression crosses his face. He closes his eyes as the door opens and I burst out of there and out of sight, the guards still trailing behind me. When I get to my old home, I pay the maid to make sure Kuroji stays in the orphanage, because they may kick him out if it costs too much to take care of him. Um, hello? the HeadMaster says through my mind. "...Oh...sorry..." I mumble. I was saying...your first assignment, is my...snack. he says, giggling. I knew it'd come to this. He's going to turn me into a hunting monster. I get to kill a human and give him its blood. Go. he says. I am beginning to wonder why he hates me. At least I have reason. I run to the woods to get his...snack.

I am his vampire now.