THE CURSE

Chapter 10

The three friends agreed that they would bring extra food and clothes for Jackie. The girls thought it best that Jackie got more sleep so Selena happily let Jackie stay with her. Selena's adopted parents were always on business trips so it's okay.

Jackie was happier these days for the obvious reasons. She ate, dressed and slept well. Her cousin, Khan was starting to like her. Her aunt was hardly ever around so the unnecessary beatings ceased. The twins, Emily and Chloe were still total bitches but that didn't bother her.

But Robert wasn't done with her yet. On the contrary it was just the beginning. The curse hasn't been broken and the prophesy far from being fulfilled. He smiled watching his niece. She was happier
"Enjoy it my niece. Happy days don't last forever"

As days turned to weeks, weeks to months and finally half a year had gone drawing near to Jacqueline's eighteenth birthday. A year that would change her life forever.

                         ****

It was the eve of Jacqueline's birthday. She groaned as she got up from bed. She dragged herself downstairs and started working. She wished this day was over. Every year she was constantly plagued with nightmares about Daniel and the burnt orphanage. She blamed herself for the death of the ranger, for the death of the innocent people that lost their lives in that terrible fire.

I just had to have a stupid party

Fortunately, it was on a saturday. She didn't want her friends wishing her happy birthday and making her feel optimistic about possibly the worst day of her entire existence. As she cleaned she slipped on water the twins probably left on the floor, crashing into Andrea's treasured shelf of China wares. Jackie gasped. Her eyes wide in terror as its shattered pieces graced the tiled floor.

Her aunt and cousins ran down to the kitchen. Every single chinaware was destroyed. Nothing survived. Andrea stared at the mess speechless. She faced her niece. Her eyes cold and dark

"What have you done?!"she shrieked. Her twin cousins smirked.

"It was an accident." Jacqueline's lips trembled in fear.

Her aunt scoffed "An accident?"

She crouched, picking up a piece of broken china walking close to the girl. A nasty scowl on her face
"Do you know how much my collection cost me?"

Jacqueline shook her head

"Half of my fortune you pathetic girl!"she yelled,cutting Jacqueline's face with the piece of china she held.

Jacqueline felt the warm blood from her face on her fingers.
"I'm sorry"

Her aunt looked at her with anger and disgust
"Get out of my sight" she spat.

Jacqueline ran out of their presence into her small room. She shut the door tight pressing her back against it. Her tears rolled down her cheek. It stung as the salty tears rolled down her cut face. She thought of calling Selena but didn't. Selena would probably make things worse.

She didn't bother cleaning her face. She just sat on the floor her arms cradling her knees rocking back and forth. She didn't realize she slept off until she heard a chime. Her eyes snapped open. Her eyes searched for the clock.

12.00am.

"All your life a misery you shall be."
 

Jacqueline felt goosebumps on her arms and legs. Her heart pounding in her chest. She shivered in both fear and the sudden coldness of the room. The moaning and whispering continued. She screamed covering her ears. But the moaning became louder. Her window flew open,allowing a heavy rush of wind. She held herself tightly wondering why these things were happening.

Then every thing stopped

The ghostly moans and whispers.

The rough wind ruffling her light curtains

The ticking of the grandfather clock.

It was graveyard quiet. Jackie gulped, holding her breath. Afraid her breathing may cause the weird things that ceased to resume. Her body covered in sweat and goosebumps.

Suddenly, a beam of silvery light reflected on the old standing mirror making it so beautiful and sparkly. She gasped at the enchanting sight. For some reason she couldn't look away.

As if pulled by the beautiful mirror,she unwrapped her arms that cradled her knees and pulled herself up, moving towards the mirror. She stood in front of the beautiful mirror, her reflection looking back at her. Jackie looked beautiful. The moonlight made her very pale skin shine and her jade green eyes glow. She hadn't realized she was that pretty. She was dazed at her sudden beauty. Then her reflection smiled at her. She jumped in shock. She tried running but her legs disobeyed her. It seemed that she was glued to that spot unable to look away from the mirror.

Her reflection still smiled. A set of fangs poking out. Now she was terrified. She tried screaming but nothing came out. Her sweat completely soaking her body. Her reflection transformed into that of a young man. He had green eyes and unruly black hair. He grinned at her.

"Hello. Niece"

"N..n..niece?"

Robert's reflection vanished and a swarm of bats flapping their leathery wings replaced Robert's reflection. Now she could scream. The swarm of bats flew out the mirror charging at the horrified girl. She could hear the moaning and whispering

"All her life a misery she shall be"

Loud laughter echoed in the room. Jackie screamed as she retreated oblivious of the open window. The bats pushed her out her window. She screamed, crying as she pummeled to the ground.