A Dark Curse

Chapter 8

It's was 8:50pm when they left the house. When they got to the woods, all of Nathaniel's friends were there. James helped Nathaniel get the chest out of his car. They walked about a mile into the woods. There was a clearing were Esmaè believed they would burn the chest. "Tonight we'll get rid of the curse that has haunted this town for centuries." James said proudly. His friends cheered. James went to grab a branch to set the chest on fire. When he had the branch burning he let it fall on top of the chest. The fire started to consume the chest but it didn't seem to be burning at all. "We think maybe the wood is a little wet."James and Michael said in unity. Grimaldo, Carley, and Emma looked at each other with blank expressions. "I'll just take the chest home and burn it there." James said to no one in particular. As James took the chest to his car, nobody tried to stop him. Michael asked James for a ride home and everyone else headed their separate ways. Nathaniel took Esmaè back home. As they arrived at her house, Nathaniel asked, " Should I send a text to my mom asking if I can stay over? I'll get her permission, I mean that is if it's fine with you.'' Esmaè couldn't be happier. " I really appreciate that. I really didn't want to be home alone. Thank you."They went inside and made sandwiches for dinner. They both slept that night on the couch.

It was early morning when they were both startled by a loud knock on the door. "I'll get the door Esmaè." Nathaniel said. When he opened the door what ,he saw his mom crying. "Momma, what's wrong? Did something happen to Dad? What's wrong?'' His mother just started crying even more. She could barely speak. "James and Michael were found dead this morning." she said while crying. " James crashed into a tree down the road from the bookstore. They were both found dead early this morning. I can't believe this.'' Nathaniel just looked at his mother, shocked by the news. "It can't be I saw them last night...... it's a mistake." Nathaniel tried to hold back tears but began sobbing. His best friends are now dead. He couldn't believe it. "Nathaniel what's wrong?" Esmaè called out. As she come out of the kitchen she saw them crying. She quickly walked towards them. "Mrs. Westwood is something wrong ?" Nathaniel's mother looked at her and told her the bad news. Esmaè's mouth went dry. She couldn't handle finding out this information. She was in shock, she couldn't even move. Nathaniel hugged her and softly said, "I can't believe they're gone." The three of them stood there for a while. Finally, Nathaniel broke away from Esmaè and asked his mom, " When is the funeral?" His mom just shook her head. "Next week, I believe." Nathaniel nodded. "Honey, you're late for school and you too young lady. Go home and shower. Then you can pick up Esmaè ." Nathaniel grabbed his things and said goodbye to Esmaè. Esmaè headed upstairs to shower and change. As she was walking to her dresser, she let out a terrified scream. The chest was in the corner where it was yesterday. The same chest that was in the car with James, that same chest that she brought home, THE SAME CHEST! Esmaè couldn't believe it, she thought she was going crazy. She grabbed her phone and called Nathaniel. "Nathaniel......I need you to come now please. I think I'm going crazy." There was silence and Nathaniel finally spoke. "Please tell me that......THING is not back in your house." Esmaè tried not to sob. "That chest is back in my room and I don't know what to do." Nathaniel was scared but was also determined to get rid of that chest once and for all. He picked up Esmaè and headed straight to the house she got it from. When they parked in the driveway there was the old lady in her rocking chair. The two of them began to approach the elder woman. They got to her, she looked at Esmaè with a worried face. "Child tell me you didn't open that thing?'' Esmaè started sobbing. "Burn it ,along with the house." said the old woman. Esmaè looked at her confused. "The house? My house? I can't do that.... my mother just purchased the house, she used all of her life savings to buy it!" The old lady grabbed her hand. "Listen to me..... That house, it's the very heart of that cursed THING!. I should've burned it when I was given the chance, I was in charge of it for years. That house has cursed that this town for centuries. The Harper's put a curse on us for generations and generations to come.... All because my family wouldn't let my mother's, grandma's, great grandmother marry into their family."