My Curse

Session 3

        The conversation wasn't quite what I was expecting when I reached my dingy little room. There was an IV set up waiting for me. I found Doctor Lin sitting in a chair in the corner. My emotionless doctor was crying.

        I stopped in the doorway, too shocked to enter. I had never seen him like that before. His face buried in his hands, his hair disheveled, and small tears leaving his face.

       "Doctor Lin? Are- are you alright?" Of course I knew he wasn't but I was frozen in place and no other words seemed to form. He slowly pulled his head up and stared at me. Sorrow was painted in his eyes as swirls of helplessness. It both frightened and intrigued me. His eyes had always been so bland but now they were the most interesting things I had ever seen. It was the first time I'd seen eyes that full of emotion but it certainly wasn't the last.

       When he'd finally regained his breath he began to explain the hardest thing I'd ever heard. "Your condition is getting worse every time he visits. I don't know if you'll be able to survive this one." Although it seemed impossible, his eyes absorbed more pain.

      "But the bracelet! It was supposed to protect me from him." I already knew what he was going to say but this was the only thing I had to hold on to.

      "It wasn't enough. He came back." At that moment everything rushed at me. Every fear and dread filled me in one overwhelming blow. I fell to the floor and couldn't move. I barely heard the doctor as I sat there staring off as my life flashed away from me.

      "So I'm going to die?" I muttered. "That's it? I'm just going to let him kill me?" I wished in that moment that my voice would be strong but it came out weak and fragile. I stood up shaking. It felt like there was a giant chasm in between my shoulders, something I desperately tried to fill. Sorrow and pain kept seeping in to fill my hole but it only made it worse. I thought there was no way I could ever experience a pain worse than I was then. I had no idea what was in store for me.

       Eventually, when I had stopped crying Doctor Lin began talking again. I suppose now that he didn't start talking earlier because he was scared of what he had to say. At the time though, I thought he was giving me some space to absorb it all.

      "Things aren't great right now," he started. "But there is a way for you to live. It's incredibly risky and nearly impossible to get to-" Before he could continue hope flooded my heart. My chasm was filled with a new, fulfilling emotion. I started to smile but then I saw his face. It was broken and a clear battle of feelings was engraved in his frown.

      "Why- why aren't you happy? This could save me." My hope was unwavering, this was going to work. Nikova wouldn't be able to hurt me anymore.

     "It's not as simple as an enchanted bracelet this time. It's extremely dangerous and- and I can't help you." He looked at me, seeking an understanding and forgiveness.

     "Just tell me what it is! Please, I'll die either way so give me a chance to live." I pleaded with him then and there.My heart was laid open before him.

     "There's rumor of a great dragon. He lives on top of Mount Shatopil. Supposedly he breathes blue fire, healing fire. This blue fire is the only thing that can kill Nikova and break you from his curse." He told me his story and I sat and listened. Stress was picking at my stomach and I wanted it all to stop.

      "How do I get to this dragon?" I tried to sound confident but the tears streaming down my face gave me away. I didn't even realize I was crying until I glanced down and saw the puddle forming on my hand. I desperately tried to ignore it and concentrate on my hope but the idea of murder was creeping its way into my chest. My chest began to tighten and breathing became hard. I was taken away from my panic attack with the doctors next words. Words that will forever change my life.

       "You have to climb the mountain...with Nikova. No one is allowed to help you, nor are you allowed to wait until you feel better. If you really want to get the blue fire you must leave tomorrow morning. I'm sorry Catherine, I'm so very sorry." His words came out as sobs and he dropped his head again. He hung it low in shame and despair.

       "I don't understand. How hard could it be to climb a mountain. You're acting like it's my death sentence." Even as I said them I wish I hadn't. The look he gave me when he looked up filled me with the most fear I ever felt.

     "You will be left alone, miles away from civilization, with the man who is killing you. There is no way to say if he won't just kill you once and for all up there." His voice was beginning to harden and I backed away from him at the idea.

     "Nikova wouldn't do that. He might be a self centered sociopath but that's what has kept me alive this long. The sadistic jerk will lose his fun if I die to soon. He want's to see me have faith, just so he can rip it away." And with that all the feelings I had about Nikova turned to hate. The most despicable hate I could muster. Enough hate to kill him without a second thought. Enough hate to consume my being and give me the strength to do whatever I had to in order to survive. "I don't care if he leaves me doubled over in pain, I'm killing that self righteous monster if it's the last thing I do."

      He nodded and stood up. With my mind made up he had no business here any more. That was always his way. I barely remember walking him to the door and saying goodbye. I only remember seeing Nikova when I walked back in. Seeing him lying down peacefully and feeling nothing but the hatred that had been planted. Had I not needed him for the journey I think I would have stabbed a knife into him right at that moment. I knew though, he can't die by simple weapons. Only magic could break the curse inflicted on me for so long.

      After I had calmed my anger I made my way to my room. I was going to need a lot of sleep for the long adventure I had ahead of me and it was already 3 in the morning.