The Witch's Curse

Chapter 1 | Dreams Are For Children

THE WITCH'S CURSE
CHAPTER ONE
DREAMS ARE FOR CHILDREN

❝ I have this strange feeling that I'm not myself anymore. It's hard to put into words but I guess it's like I was fast asleep, and somebody came, disassembled me, and hurriedly put me back together again. That sort of feeling. ❞

[Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Maruakami ; Japan, 1949]

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MAGIC WAS A POWER that was always feared by many, including my parents. They were people born of magic and the same power flowed through my veins, but unlike others witches I was always seen differently and was unable to use my gift that others had made me believe was a curse.

Well, for as long as I can remember I was never able to properly use my magic unlike other witches. I was defective — hardly considered a witch at all. It wasn't as if I could not use my magic, it was just that it was too dangerous for me to use and I could never remember why exactly.

I had hurt people because of it and could do things that no other could do. I was a 'foreboding omen', as I have heard through the whispering winds.

Deep within Vereilles, the city that was nearly a reflection of what many knew as New York in the mortal world, gave a whole new meaning to the title of 'The City That Never Sleeps'. Our world is not much different than the human world, if one squinted a little and ignored the creatures and otherworldly beings casually walking amongst the crowded streets.

I could hear the cars and trains bustling as I walked alongside the dark street where there were nearly empty bars with Sirens crooning into a mic, their song entrancing the patrons and few Succubi were lining the streets and alleyways trying to lure poor creatures into stealing what money they may have left. And there damned souls, the sneering thought sneaks within my thoughts.

They were just the few creatures, among many, trying to survive in this dangerous world.

I looked behind me, gripping my bag tightly to my side as I felt a chill run down my spine. There was nothing that seemed to be following but I knew better.

Quickly, I took a sharp turn down an alleyway and stopped when I stood in front of the shop that was owned by a powerful Seer my parents were close friends with when I was a child.

Madame Mirella's Wondrous Oddities and Delights.

The memory of my parents filled me with sadness and guilt as I thought of the past. But that's all it is: the past.

As I entered the store, I welcome the inviting aroma that brought forth memories that I had believed were long forgotten. I observed the store and was surprised that it was so empty and inspected the dust that covered the various items and objects.

I commanded my feet to move once I reminded myself of why I was here in the first place.

Finding myself walking down one of the aisles, I studied the different vials and jars of what looked to be both human and creature body parts. Gross. Not my cup of tea but there were witches who used this type of stuff for their spells and magic.

A vial of mysterious black liquid caught my eye as I paused and studied it. I noticed how it strangely was following my movements as if it were alive.