The Girl Who Bit The Dust

Chapter 1 - Why Me?!

     My name's Annabelle, I'm 23 , and I'm going to die today. How do I know, you ask? My grandmother was 19 when she died. A year after she had my father, she got hit by a car. Her husband knew about the curse, though, so it's not like he didn't see it coming. They lived like every day was their last because, for her, it was. Anyways, the reason I think it's going to be today is because it's raining and there's lightning.

     Honestly, It's a wonder on how I'm not dead yet. I know most of you think that I'm being dramatic or I'm just messing around, but I'm serious. It's incredible that I'm not dead. I guess you want to know what happened to make me think like this, right? Well, let's just say that my great-great-great-great-great-great-great Grandmother had a run-in with a witch, god, deity, whatever you want to call it. Things happened, she was disrespectful, and now all the girls in my family are cursed. What's the curse, you ask? Oh, it's just a minor curse of death and misfortune. It's no big deal, not like I wanted to live anyway. The funny thing is that I'm the only girl in two generations. The curse is on my father's side so my mom and everyone else in my family are completely safe.

     I stepped out of my apartment, shielding myself from the rain, when something shiny caught my eye. I looked over to see three men in masks. One of the guys had a ring which was the cause of my distraction. They were surrounding something in an alleyway. I tried to make out what it was when they saw me.

     This can't seriously be how I die. I mean, I know that I'm lucky to be alive this long but, really?! You couldn't have given me until 30?!

     I quickly averted my gaze as I started to run down the street. Hopefully, they won't catch me. Even if I'm cursed I still have some luck, right? I made a right into a shop when I realized my mistake. They saw me outside my door. They knew where I lived.

     Maybe they didn't see me walk out. Yeah, it was a few minutes before they looked over so there's a chance they don't even know I live there. Oh, who am I kidding! When have I ever been this lucky? I'm lucky that I'm not dead yet!

     I admired the shop and noticed that I was in a bakery.

     I might as well get a donut while I'm waiting. If I stay here for a few hours they'll probably go away.

     Walking up to the counter, I see the sweet sight of pastries. The smell makes my mouth water. I decide on two donuts, one with chocolate and one glazed. I gave my order to the girl behind the counter when I heard the doorbell ring, announcing another customer walked in. Thinking nothing of it, I pulled out my wallet and looked down.

     ...I have no money.

     I look through all the folds and I pat myself down and even put my hands in my pockets to see if I have anything. I didn't.

     "Ma'am, you're holding up the line," the baker said.

     "Um, I uh, well, I seem to not have...any...money. I swear I thought I had money! I'll just go now," I said, looking down, "Why did my curse have to act up now? I never go outside, much less go to a bakery. I just wanted a donut. I looked around, noticing the strange looks I was getting. Don't tell me they heard me.

     My eyes wandered to three guys at a table. They were staring at me strangely, almost as if I were something they lost. Then I noticed the guy on the left. He had three rings on his hand just like the guy in the mask.

     Shit, it's them! Don't look, don't look, don't look. Keep your head down and walk out the door. Do NOT engage!

     Too late. They saw me staring at them. We then proceeded to not break eye contact, seeing which one backed out first. Why did I have to be so unlucky! I turned away and walked quickly to the exit.

     "Wait, don't leave! We still have that writing assignment to do, remember? You know, the one with the interview?"

     Were they seriously doing this? They were not going to lure me in using some college excuse.

     "Ma'am, I think they're talking to you," a lady said as I walked past their table.

     "Oh, thank you, miss."

     Forcing a smile, I turned around and started walking towards the three men. They all had grins on their faces and, for a second, looked like normal college students. That is, if it weren't for the malicious tint in their eyes. I finally got to their table and looked down. They pulled the last chair out and told me to sit down. When I sat, I realised that I really didn't have anything to lose. Of course I want to live but eventually I'll die and I just have to accept that.

     "What do you want?" I whisper.

     "We want to know what you saw. We know it was you so don't try to hide it," the guy with the rings said.

     "All I saw were three guys in an alleyway that were circled around something. I didn't get a good look at what it was and I don't want to find out. I want nothing to do with you and I won't tell, I swear. I wouldn't even have a probable cause in the first place. So, just let me go and we can all get along with our day."

     "No way," beanie guy chuckled, stepping in. "We can't let you go, even if we wanted to. We already contacted our boss and told them about you. They want us to bring you in to check you out and make it clear that there are consequences if you tell anyone. So, let's go."

     They all got up from the table, making sure to drag me with them. With one hand on my arm and another on my shoulder, they had me completely trapped. There was no way I could escape without making a scene and didn't want to. With my luck, others would only make it worse and I wanted to see this boss of theirs. It's probably some lowlife drug dealer that made them beat someone up for money. He's probably bald and ugly, only caring for money and himself. I feel bad for them. They shouldn't have to put up with that. Then again, these are just assumptions based on zero evidence.

     Stop making assumptions on people you haven't even met yet, Annabelle. It's not becoming of you. And stop reading all those historical literature books!

     We made our way to their car. They pushed me into the backseat where Beanie and Rings were on either side of me. Realizing that I was exhausted (I really should start going to bed before 3 am), I decided to take a nap. I didn't know it but this was the last my life would ever be relatively normal.