The Family Curse

Just Two More Days

    As the 25th year mark drew closer, the family became more and more anxious. Parents fretted over every detail. Children were hugged harder, kissed more often, and never told 'no'. The families that were safe from the warlock couldn't help but feel a guilty wave of relief. Their children were safe because they had not been taken during the last visit from the warlock, he would not consider them again.

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    Blaze rushed around his apartment, cleaning every surface along the way. Dishes were put away, laundry was folded neatly in their drawers, carpets were vacuumed, and floors were swept. Anytime his parents came to visit, Blaze felt an urge to clean everything before they arrived. With the upcoming 'Choosing', he knew they would be coming any day now. After hours of cleaning, he turned the TV on and laid on the couch. Before he knew it, his eyes were too heavy to hold open and he drifted off to sleep.

    A loud thumping came from the door, jolting Blaze awake. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he glanced at his watch, it read 12:38 PM, and rolled off the couch. Shuffling towards the door, he bent to look through the peep hole. Bright pink hair was the only thing visible but Blaze still knew who it was. Throwing the door open, he couldn't help but grin.

    "Aria! What a surprise! I didn't know you were coming by." Blaze said, pulling the girl into a warm embrace.

    "Well your parents said they were coming down to see you so I thought I'd catch a ride! You know I can't resist seeing my best friend," Aria exclaimed, "plus you still owe me a dinner after you bailed on me last time." The growing smirk let Blaze know that she was teasing.

    "I know, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise" he replied. A quick glance behind Aria and he noticed that the hall was empty. "Are my parents still downstairs?"

    "Yeah. They brought everything they own, you know them," Aria laughed, heading towards the kitchen. "Mind if I grab a snack? I'm starving!"

    "You know you don't even have to ask. I'm going to run downstairs and help my parents, I'll be right back," Blaze said before shutting the apartment door. 

    In the quiet of the hall, he began to prepare himself for his parents. Every visit was the same, they had to know every detail of his life. They acted like he'd been away for years and like they hadn't seen him in that time. When in reality it had only been 8 months, they had visited 4 times, and called him every week. Being the only child definitely had its drawbacks, your parents spend all their time focused on you.

    The elevator came quickly, there were only 4 floors so it didn't have far to travel. Blaze pushed the button for the lobby and swayed to the music on the way down. The minute the elevator doors opened he was greeted with the biggest smile he had ever seen, his mothers of course.

    "Hi baby!" Reagan called out, throwing her arms around her sons neck.

    "Hi Momma, I'm so glad to see you," Blaze whispered, leaning down to kiss her cheek. Looking up, he saw his dad smiling at him and quickly returned the gesture.

    After the bags were in the elevator, the trio started their way back up to the apartment. Reagan chatted about her garden the whole time but Blaze focused on the soft whirring coming from the elevator. Stepping off, Blaze opened the door to his apartment and helped his dad bring in the bags.

    "Guys, you have to stop packing like this. It's only a couple of days. You look like you're moving in!" Blaze joked, stacking the bags by the front door.

    "Well we were hoping to stay for a few days after the 'Choosing'. We miss you and we want to catch up," Blaze's dad, Matt, replied.

    "You were just here last month," Blaze laughed, "nothing has changed. Wait, I got a new mattress but that's it."

    Blaze glanced at Aria on the couch with a bag of chips and a drink and motioned at her with his right hand. His parents followed his lead and sat down beside her. A sad look covered the faces of all 3 guests. Blaze knew why they all looked like that. They were all considering the possibility that he may not come back from the 'Choosing'.

    "Hey, don't look so down you guys! I'll be fine, besides we have 2 more days before anything happens. Let's just make the most of it!" Blaze tried to keep his tone upbeat. He hated to make his parents worry even more. A small smile touched each of their faces, but he could tell that they were just an attempt to make him feel better. 

    "First lets get you settled in and then we'll go out for that dinner I owe Aria," Blaze moved to the door and grabbed his parents bags. Pulling them to the guest room was a chore but it didn't take long.

    "Actually B, lets save that rain check dinner for after you come back home with us," Aria said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Blaze couldn't help but mirror the bleak look on her face. He pulled her in for another hug and kissed the top of her head.

    "Well then I guess we'll go out just because, instead" Blaze mumbled. Grabbing his wallet and his keys, he headed towards the door. 

    After everyone was out of the apartment Blaze locked the door and joined them in the elevator. Pushing the lobby button again, they began their slow decent down. The quiet was unbearable, yet it seemed like no one knew how to break the silence. Once they were in the lobby, the silence was broken by his dad as they headed towards the car.

    The group talked and laughed all through dinner. On the ride back, Blaze and Aria belted out the lyrics to their favorite songs. Back in the apartment, everyone sat down to watch a movie together. Before long, Reagan and Matt kissed both kids goodnight and went to bed. Aria just sat there staring at Blaze, watching his facial expressions change with the movie. Blaze knew what she was doing but he didn't say anything.

    Another hour passed and Aria was passed out on the couch. Blaze draped a blanket over her and clicked off the TV. Leaning down, he pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before heading to his room. He took a quick shower before he laid down. Trying to sleep was impossible, his brain wouldn't shut off. 

    The words "Just two more days" kept running through his mind. Blaze finally fell asleep but it was not a peaceful night. He tossed and turned all night. The dreams of what might happen kept creeping into his subconscious.