Cursed

10

I have to run.

It was all I could think about.

I was scared, but of what?

I didn't think.

I just ran.

My eyes snapped open as sweat drops slid down my forehead. I was still between his arms. He was softly snoring, his chin on the top of my head.

I could hear his steady heartbeat; it seemed to put me on ease. I needed that. An escape from everything, and he felt so right yet so wrong.

His presence applied a new thrill to my life, it made me feel that there was something more to that boring routine I had to bare for years, he helped me sleep which was even more reassuring of his positive presence, but still he had his downsides. For he was the reason my family members started to disappear, or was he? I felt so lost, I had no basis to stood against.

I could no longer think, I felt suffocated, so I stood up walking over to the window. I opened it allowing the cold breeze to nibble on my bare skin.

It was a full moon. I felt blessed to be awake to see it. The rain was lighter than usual giving me a better view and the thunder wasn't as furious as it usually was, it was as if the weather was giving me a break. The cold was still present, but I was too mesmerized to reach for something to wear.

"Here" I turned around confused to find the guy I left asleep holding my cloak. I placed it on my body and thanked him.

"I woke you up" I stated. It was obvious and useless but I guess it was my way to start a conversation. And I think he knew that as he just looked at me, waiting for me to say whatever I had in mind. "How come I can't remember you? I mean with every story you told me" I questioned crossing my arms.

"Maybe it was because you need a trigger" he suggested. It was something he thought about before from his immediate response.

"Like what?" I asked.

He didn't answer, but he took a step forward. His eyes were fixated on me, the glowing moon making the color even more piercing. I found myself stepping back with every step he took. I wasn't the one to control my body. It was out of instinct. I just had to keep a distance.

As I was thinking I hit the window almost falling out of it, if not for his swift movements. His arm was wrapped around my waist protectively. I gasped in surprise as he started to lean forward. I wanted to push him, but my body reacted differently. My eyelids started to close slowly as I started to lean meeting him half way. My lips collided with his, I expected a rush of memories at that moment, however nothing happened.

It just felt familiar.

My hand impulsively circled his neck, I pushed my body forward pressing it against his and I found myself wanting to kiss him more.

It was a feeling of déjà vu.

And the moment he bit on my lower lip I remembered it.

..."You bit me!" I accused him but he simply chuckled.

"This way you'll never forget it" he answered resting his forehead on mine.

"Don't worry" I assured him. "I won't"...

That was a promise I didn't keep.

As I tried to remember more, a cold wind enveloped us. I recognized that feeling very well. The shadows were here to take me.

I remembered him. Not everything, but I remembered him. I knew very well that he was who he proclaimed to be. He was the boy I loved.

Though, I guess that my assumption regarding the shadows was wrong, as they weren't trying to take me but him.

The fingers that once held onto my brother were holding onto him. They wanted him, not me. And I wasn't letting go. I held into him as if my life depends on it. I lost too many people and I wasn't willing to lose him too.

"Get us out of here" I called out. He was my only resource at any moment. It was he who I trusted to protect me.

And indeed he did. As soon as I said those words we were pulled away.

I looked at my confused father as he stood in his office.

"We are no longer safe in this house" I stated as a simple explanation.

"Gather everyone around" he ordered.

Gerard, who stood by the entrance, didn't need to be told twice as he exited the room.

"What happened?" my father asked looking at Seth and I.

"I remember him" I answered.

"So it's you they're looking for" he stated thinking it over.

"No" I shook my head. "They're trying to take him away" I explained.

"Why him? why not you?" he questioned, but he wasn't waiting for my answer. He just appeared to be thinking out loud.

I looked back at Seth who had his arm around me, his eyes inspecting the room for any danger. Did I believe everything he said? I wasn't sure of that answer. I just knew that I cared for him enough to share the love potion with him, to protect him and to save him. Maybe he was right and maybe he was lying, but at that moment all I needed was a maybe. Maybe I could believe him.

My train of thought was cut short as my mother and brother walked in along with the maids. My mother, who was always composed and elegant, appeared to be weak, disturbed and on the verge of breaking. Next to her stood my brother, his eyes circled by darkness from the sleep deprivation.

"Nova" my father called out. "I need to speak to you" he walked into the hidden chamber of his office.

"I'll be right back" I informed Seth as I followed shortly behind.

"What is it?" I asked when I walked between the soundproof walls.

"Why did the shadows pick him and not you?" he asked.

"I don't know, maybe they didn't want us to remember anymore" I suggested.

"They could've taken him away the moment he walked into this place, but they didn't" he started. "Think about it, every time they took someone you happened to be there, why didn't they take you as well?" he questioned as I waited for the answer. "Maybe we looked at things the wrong way, they aren't trying to stop of us from remembering, they're just stopping you"

"Why would they do that?" I asked refusing to believe the possibility of their disappearance lying on my shoulders.

"Because they're protecting you" he announced.

"Me?" I said in disbelief. "Why me?"

But I already knew the answer to that. "That's impossible" I gasped.

"Is it? Why would it be so hard for you to cast the spell? You don't need to understand it, you just need to read the words" he came into conclusion.

Why would I do that? Even if I did, I didn't have the reason to do so. Or did I? What would be my aim from this? it all seemed to make sense the more I thought about it, and it all seemed to be connected to him.

Seth Morgan.