The Curse of Time

"My name is Alexia"

"Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over, she began to fly"
-Anonymous

Snowfalls had started early that year. As if it was a sign of something different. Something which was for the better or the worse. She sat on the couch in the living room playing with her doll gifted to her by a young woman sitting beside her. Looking at her with a smile. She had always considered the woman her best friend, but she was unaware of the truth. The truth the woman had sworn she will never speak.

The girl's mother-Olivia entered the living room. She sighed to herself knowing that her kitchen lacked some ingredients to make a cake. Her daughter had been asking it for a long time and said that if her mom disagrees, she will never tie her hair in pigtails ever again. And Olivia never wanted that to happen.

The bell rang which startled the three of them. Olivia rushed towards the door and looked out at the peephole. Two men were waiting outside and seemed rather impatient. Olivia was about to unlock the door when the young woman spoke up-" Do not open the door," she instructed," They are here." The little girl was confused as she pulled the young woman's sleeve," What are you talking about Kate?"

"No way," Olivia said interrupting her daughter, "we have to get out of here-"

"Mam, please open the door," the noise came from outside. Silence reigned in the room. The three of them had convinced themselves if they kept quiet the men will leave. Whoever they were.

"No use! We have to bring the door down!"

Everything spurred into action. Kate immediately caught hold of the little girl's hand. the doll was still in her hands, smiling cheekily. But the little girl sensed that something was wrong.

"We have to take her to the basement!" Olivia cried as the window's glass shattered and the door broke down. Men started entering from all the three directions. " Get the girl with the pigtails, go, go, go!"

The two women both held her tiny hands and the girl's doll dropped on the floor as a man stepped on its leg. The little girl wanted to free herself and go after her doll, but it was of no use. The three of them entered Olivia's bedroom and opened the cupboard. On one of the closets was a small unnoticeable button and Olivia pressed it. The wall of the cupboard opposite to them was actually a door and it opened.

The little girl went into the darkness as she went down the stairs she could not even see in the complete darkness. But she completely trusted her other senses as her eyes readjusted in the darkness.

Then all of a sudden, the three of them stopped as Kate pulled something in the darkness which seemed like a handle of a door. The men followed them down the staircase but they had already shut the door. Olivia turned on the lights revealing a hidden basement the little girl never knew about. Kate blocked the door by pushing a table and kept it beside the door.

The little girl had so many questions, but she was not able to speak. As if she was in a dream an wanted to come out of it. Loud, angry noises she had heard in the living room, the panic of her mom, the men who were coming after and the creepy basement lit only with the help of a dim LED light on top of their heads.

" Stacey, you have to stay strong, okay" the little girl's mother comforted her. But she knew it was too late.

The constant bangs at the door and the shouts had almost paralyzed Stacey. That was when Kate spoke up-

" You have done so much for me, Olivia and now it is my turn to return it."
"I-I dont understand," Olivia spoke as she stuttered at her own words.
"My life is indebted to you for all your help," she began," And my blood will save you," she said with the earnest eyes. she paused for a moment, processing her thoughts-"But I just need one small favour."

"What is it?"

"You have to change the name I have given to your daughter," Kate said as she squatted towards Stacey, almost matching her height. Stacey looked at her with eyes full of anticipation as strong bang filled the silence in the room. The men were going to come soon.

" Anything for you," Olivia spoke," as long as she is safe."

" I am not going to change my name," the girl stated, blinded by innocence even in the small room.
"Yes, you are. And you will forget me..." Kate began, "But it's for the better."

Another bang filled the room as Stacey's heart pumped so loudly she could hear it.

"No."
"Your name is Alexia, say it."

"My name is Stacey."

As soon as she said her name, a strong jolt of pain was felt in her throat. She could not even react because the pain left as soon as it came in.

A crack formed on the door followed by another.

Stacey, Stacey, Stacey. My name is Stacey.

But she had to pretend for now.

"I am Alexia."
"Not enough, say it again."
This time the pain lasted for more than five seconds.

"My name is Alexia," she said as her voice broke and rattled. The words felt heavy on her tongue and she felt like she cannot breathe anymore. The words tasted new to her yet familiar. She had already forgotten her old name.

Olivia stood there watching at the door, ready to strike.

"Good," Kate said as she pulled something from her pocket. The thing was wrapped in a piece of cloth and as she revealed it-Alexia saw a small dagger with a'K' on its Quillion. A small snake symbol lined the handle of the dagger. Its blade glistened even in the dim light and Alexia was mesmerized by it.

Alexia, Alexia, Alexia. I am Alexia.

"Good," she repeated again, "because now Alexia," she gulped placing her hand on the little girl's plump cheeks and stared at her brown eyes, "You have to kill me."

*****