The Forgotten God's Curse

The Forgotten God's Curse (pt. 1)

          My name is Olivia Rebecca Hedge, but you can call me Olivia. I'm writing this because... well, because it needs to be heard.

          I have a unique power. If I touch someone, I can feel their pain. Any pain, physical or emotional. That's why I stay away from people best I can, and animals too. Touch happens too quickly, too easily to put myself at risk.

          Sometimes, it's actually a blessing. I found out my mom had cancer because of it. But it's mostly a curse. The old gods are vengeful, after all.

          Enough about me. This is hardly even my story anyway. The real story is about a girl named Hazel Beth, and our adventure together...

          Hazel Beth and I met one spring morning many years ago. She goes by many names, I'm sure, but to me she will always be Hazel Beth.

          Hazel Beth was a new student at my high school during my Junior year. No one else wanted to deal with her, so I volunteered to be her guide. This was where it all began.

          I had a job and I did it quite thoroughly. I showed her each classroom on her schedule, plus some that weren't. I even showed her the Club Board, so she could make friends. I was sure not to touch her, and because there was no reason to it should've been fine. 

           It wasn't.

           We were in the art classroom, a mess of clay and paint, when Hazel Beth slipped on a wet patch of floor. On instinct, I caught her, and then we both collapsed.

          I can't remember if I screamed as the pain, like hot knives, tore through me. I can't remember if Hazel Beth cried out for me, or if it was all in my head. All I knew was the fire in my veins turning the world black.

          I was out for three hours, according to the nurses. Once I'd passed out, Hazel Beth had ran to the nurse's office and called an ambulance. I awoke in the stiff sterility of a hospital bed with Hazel Beth by my side. For reasons I would later question, my parents weren't present. The nurses said I was a mystery. Nothing could've made me pass out like that. Nothing natural at the least. They were preparing all sorts of blood tests and stress tests, but the moment they left the room Hazel Beth started talking.

          "You're cursed," Hazel Beth stated.

          "What?" 

          "You're cursed," She repeated, "but it's ok. I'm supposed to know. And I won't tell anyone. I don't need to and they would call me crazy if I did." She shook her head. "But that's all beside the point. I know how to cure you."

          "What do you mean? How could you-"

          Hazel Beth's body began to glow, turning into a blinding ball of white light. When it faded, the young girl I'd met melted away into a woman in a long, green dress. Her hair was pulled up into elaborate braids. Her identity made itself clear. Her true name was Azeth, goddess of life from a time long ago, the youngest of the forgotten gods.

          I was shocked. "Oh, um, should I like, bow or something?" I stumbled to get out of bed.

          "Don't worry, Olivia. I'm still your friend. In fact, I may be your only hope."

          I settled back into bed. "Um... what? What do you mean, 'my only hope?' Are people after me?"

          Hazel Beth sighed sadly. "Our Lord Orion had faded at last. We are all sure to follow. Well, all gods anyway. But first we want to... right our wrongs, so to speak. The gods have been searching for the Cursed One since Orion faded, and I'm relieved I found you. We have so little left of us, so little time. Every day a little more fades away."