Jackie's eyes snapped open. She looked around. She was on her bed and in her room. She jumped up checking herself. No scratches, no fractured bones, no blood. Just perfect flawless skin. She rushed to the mirror. She looked like herself at least. She began to doubt whatever happened last night. The enchanted mirror, the young man, the bats, her pummeling to the ground. Maybe it was a dream. A very bad dream. She sighed in relief as she quickly cleaned up and ran downstairs.
Today's officially Jackie's birthday. But instead of being a queen for a day she was the slave just like every other day. She just wished the day ended soon. She quickly made made breakfast and her other chores for the day. She almost drooled at the sight of her aunt and cousin eating their breakfast of bacon, fried eggs and waffles.
Her youngest cousin, Khan watched her noticing her trying to keep her balance. He felt really bad for her. When his mother and sisters weren't looking, he quietly smuggled bacon and waffles under the navy blue hoodie he wore before he got up and left.
Andrea finished her food eventually after taking her sweet time savoring her meal.
"Come on girls, your nineteenth birthday is just two weeks away. Let's go shopping" Andrea chirped, excitedly
The girls squealed in excitement as they rushed upstairs to change. Andrea got up, intentionally pushing her glass of juice emptying its contents on the white table cloth Jackie washed two days ago. It took her half the day to get the stains off and now her aunt spilled orange juice on it. Again.
Andrea smirked as she took her leave. Jackie sighed tiredly as she cleaned up and washed the table cloth again. Feeling extremely exhausted coupled with her hunger and sadness, she made her way upstairs. She pushed her door open just to see Khan reading a book on her bed.
"What are you doing here?" She snapped
"Hey cuz. I love what you've done with the place"
"Leave" she ordered, pointing at the open door
"Wait. I brought you something." He said pointing at the plate of bacon and fried eggs on the plate. She furrowed her brows looking from the plate to her cousin
"What's this for?" she asked suspiciously. In all the years she knew Khan or her female cousins never have they offered her food and even if they did, it was spoilt and rotten.
"It's for you obviously"
"Why? Isn't this another one of your pranks? Don't you get tired of making my life more miserable than it already is?!"she yelled
"It's not a prank Jackie" his voice was quiet, almost like a whisper. He felt bad and guilty for what he has done to her over the years."This is part of my breakfast. You haven't eaten anything since Friday. Even if you ate on other days, it's just crumbs off the table. I felt sorry for what I've done and since it's your birthday it's the least I could do. Of course this doesn't substitute for what we put you through over the years. I'm really sorry Jackie"
Jackie stared at her cousin, mouth hanging.
"You..you did this for me?" She stuttered "Despite what your mom would do if she found out what you did?!"
Khan shrugged "I really don't care. I like you alot cuz. My sisters don't even talk to me. And after everything I've done to you, you were nice enough to help me with my project. I owe you alot cuz"
She stared at her cousin. This was Khan, her very bratty cousin apologizing and offering her breakfast. This was all so surreal. It had to be a dream. She pinched herself to be sure it wasn't a dream.
Ouch! Yep. It wasn't a dream.
"Khan, I don't know what to say. I'm just so..." Tears rolled down her face preventing her from getting her words out. Khan did another surprising thing. He hugged her. She hugged back. After a while, she stopped crying pulling away from her cousin. She smiled and he returned the smile.
"Thank you so much Khan" she said gratefully
"No problem cuz"
He looked at his watch.
"I have to meet Dave and Austin"
He walked to the door, pausing at the door knob. He looked at his cousin "Will you be okay cuz?" He asked worried
Jackie nodded. He gave her a bright smile " Happy birthday Jackie"
"Thanks cuz"
He nodded walking out the door. She felt happy. At least someone cared. She ate her almost cold breakfast. Minutes later she was snoozing on her bed.
****
12am
Jackie's eyes snapped open. She got up from her bed as she caught a whiff of something. Something delicious. Something mouth watering. She jumped from her window landing lightly. The moon was very bright tonight illuminating the dark sky. The wind that ruffled her hair, made the trees swoon and moan to the direction of the wind. She looked up at the moon. Her jade green eyes turning crimson. Her vision, smell and hearing became extremely sharp to the extent the tiniest noise won't escape her notice. Her canines protruded from her mouth forming sharp fangs.
The sweet scent became stronger and she ran swiftly following the divine scent. She perched on a tree. Below was an old man setting his tent. The divine scent was coming from him. She drooled at the mouth watering sight. Her hunger increasing. She jumped down. The old man snapped back but seeing the black haired girl he relaxed and offered a small smile. The girl smiled back. The man was a little startled by her blindingly white teeth that gleamed in the darkness and her extremely sharp canines. He shrugged it off
"My dear child, can you help me set up my tent?"
The girl smiled
"It's not safe here" her voice was slow and angelic. The man was completely enchanted by the girl's beautiful voice.
"I know but the moon is pretty tonight" he said cheerfully
Jackie walked closer to the old man. The fire he had set blown out by the heavy gush of wind. The old man shivered both from the cold and the very white girl getting dangerously close to him. He gulped. Goosebumps appearing on his frail skin.
"I think it's time you go home dear. Your parents must be looking for you"
The girl laughed. Her laugh like that of an angel but at the same time, cold and menacing
"I have no parents"
She advanced as the old man retreated. His eyes dilated in fear. He tried running but the girl laughed at his futile attempt at escaping her. Before the old man could even run out to the road, the girl appeared in front of him shocking the terrified soul.
"STAY...AWAY FROM ME!!!" He yelled in fear. His lips trembling. Tears forming in his eyes.
"HELP ME... HELP ME PLEASE" He screamed on top of his voice hoping someone...anyone at all would save him from the angelic demon.
The girl lifted the old man off the floor so easily. As if the man weighed no more than a box of feathers. She swallowed as she watched the veins of the old man bulge. The man tried screaming again but the girl snapped his arm like she would a wooden pencil. The man let out an ear piercing scream that sent the nocturnal creatures flying and scurrying.
The girl stuck her fangs into the screaming man's neck drowning in ecstasy of his blood. It was so delicious, so tasty. The man's scream reduced to whispers as he felt life being drained from him. The girl licked her lips tossing the man's body on the cold grass. The girl vanished leaving the man in his last moment before he breathed his last.
The man's tears wet his cheeks regretting why he ignored his wife and went out despite her warnings. His eyes were fixed at the moon. At the sight of the beautiful moon, a small smile formed on his face. He was grateful that at least he got to see the moon he loved so much one last time before he died.
The night was once more quiet and the man no more.
YOU ARE READING
THE CURSE
HorrorJust as I have died supposed by death Hath thou beauty be brought by birth Whatever reflection you get to keep A beauty more, a blood thirsty being to see In her eighteenth year will all these be seen But all her life a misery she shall be This curs...
