My Curse

Session 7

      The next day we both got ready to leave in silence. There was a lot that needed to be talked about but I wasn't feeling up to it. I think Nikova could sense it. My fever broke in the night but I was burnt out. My muscles hurt with every movement I made. 

       When we did start walking I knew I couldn't handle another silent moment. I tend to talk when I'm nervous, I tend to talk a lot. That trip was the most nerve wrecking trip I have ever been on. I was lucky Nikova adores hearing himself talk so it wasn't hard to strike up a conversation.

       "So where does the name Nikova originate from?" I asked, half hoping to find out something about his life.

        "I have absolutely no idea. I don't think it's even a real name." He chuckled. "My mother wanted to name me something no one would forget because she would never forget her son." He smiled to himself and stared off into the distance. Hearing about his mother reminded me of my own.

        "I didn't even know you had a mother." I looked at him funny. Was his mother human or like him?

        "Oh Catherine," He looked at me like I was a broken kitten. "Did no one ever tell you where babies come from? Well you're 23 it's about time you know about the birds and the bees." He took a breath to begin his explanation but I cut him off.

       "Oh believe me I know all about the miracle of birth and how it happens. I delivered my dog's puppies." I grimaced at the memory of the birth.

        "You have a dog?" He looked at me so shocked I was startled.

         "Well yeah, I have two in fact. I don't know why you're so surprised."

         "I've just never seen them before. Are they at your parents house?" As he asked my head began to become foggy. I couldn't remember anything. I began to black out, my legs became numb.

Catherine? Cat? Can you hear me Cat? Come on Cat you can fight this!

        I woke up in Nikova's arms. He looked down at me so worried. He helped me sit up as I gathered my bearings.

         "Did you call me Cat?" I asked, remembering the voice I heard when I fainted.

        "No. You passed out for only a few seconds. I didn't get time to say anything" He looked at me strangely but I didn't care. I really wasn't up for trying to figure out who I heard. I thought it was just a hallucination.

         Nikova let me sit for a few minutes before we had to start walking again. The grass was damp; my shorts were getting soaked. The water was cold, but it felt amazing. Eventually an idea began to form. I was so excited I jumped up from where I was sitting. I startled Nikova, who was dozing quietly.

        "Where are you off to in such a rush" He questioned as he got up. He looked ragged and tired. Neither one of us got much sleep the night before, and I could tell it was getting to him.

         "I've had a brilliant idea. Don't question it. Just follow me." I smiled to myself. I knew I was straying off my goal but I was defeated and tired. I needed a little fun to wake up my motivation.

         I started walking off in, what appeared to be, a random direction. I heard Nikova sigh behind me and then grudgingly follow. Every step I took fed my excitement. Butterflies were forming in my stomach as we got closer to my destination. I wanted to skip, or do something, to release my anticipation.

        I squealed with delight when I could see my surprise. I turned around and ran to Nikova, who was many steps behind me.

         "Close your eyes! Close your eyes!" I was so overjoyed I couldn't help but have it show.