The Pianist

Chapter Fourteen: It's Magic

After I got home from school, I went upstairs and opened my closet doors. Inside the closet was a white vanity adorned with candles, herbs, my grimoire, and other miscellaneous mystifying objects. My alter. I had it hidden in my closet because I didn't want my mom and dad knowing about my magick. It's not that I thought they'd be unsupportive, I just knew they wouldn't "get" it. 

I grabbed my book of shadows and checked the calendar I'd drawn up to make sure I was remembering correctly.

Three days.

I had three days until the super moon. I needed blood for the ritual. I needed healthy blood for the ritual- Dan's blood. I heaved out a sigh, flopping onto my bed. I didn't think I could pull this off in time. He still hadn't come to school and I feared he wouldn't return. 

I feared he was dead.

--

I raced around the corner, down the lane, my eyes catching street signs with every turn. It had to be here somewhere! I was never very good with directions, but this was literally life or death. I had to find the store and uncover the secrets of the Snake Eyes Curse.

When I started down the right street, I saw it instantly. A small antiques store with lanterns by the door and old brass objects in the window by a floral armchair. I questioned why the bloody hell PJ would've gone into this store in the first place- it was pretty manky looking.

I meekly entered, and the shopkeep turned his attention to me immediately as the store was completely empty until now. He said nothing, but I felt his eyes follow me as I ambled around the store, hesitating to just ask him about the dice.

With a gulp, I approached the desk.

"How can I help you?" He asked, little to no visible emotion on his face. He didn't seem like a man I could trust. He probably sold PJ the dice knowing they would curse him.

"M-my friend bought some dice from here a while back," I stammered out, "He said they were cursed." The shopkeeper leaned back, a knowing look on his face. I waited, too nervous to elaborate, hoping the man remembered, hoping that he'd say something and ease my nerves.

"He didn't use them, did he?"

I shook my head, my hands shook involuntarily to follow. I took a deep breath, ready to finally get some answers.

"I did."