THE CURSE

Chapter 16

Khan got to the house first. He climbed in through Jackie's open window and then gestured for the teens on the ground to join him. The olive skinned girl climbed in first. The green eyed girl and the black haired boy exchanged glances before climbing in after the olive skinned girl. It was night time. The red haired boy assured them no one else was home besides them of course. His sisters, Chloe and Emily were at a party and won't come home tonight while his mother had to visit a friend of hers and won't be back till tomorrow.

The friends examined the room. It was small, so small that it felt cramped. The walls were a very pale blue color. Her bed neatly dressed next to the open window. Selena spotted the shards of glass that sparkled in the moonlight. She walked closer. She crouched picking up a shard of glass, examining it. She saw the blood stains on it. She frowned, following a trail of dried blood and broken glass to a very shattered mirror. Selena noticed the mirror was the only shattered object here.

What happened?

Alex saw Selena staring at the mirror, a grim expression on her face. Alex walked to her also curious about the shattered mirror.

"What do you think happened?"

Selena shook her head
"I have no idea"

Alex sighed wondering how anyone could stay in a room so small and congested

Anna's eyes roamed around the tiny room. She suddenly couldn't breathe. She felt like the room was closing in on her. Her eyes widened as she started gasping for air. Her friends snapped her direction

"Oh shit" Alex cursed, running to Anna who swayed a bit before fainting, falling into Alex's ready arms.

Khan looked from the frowning olive skinned girl to the green eyed girl who fainted. Confusion written all over his soft features.

"What just happened?"

"She's claustrophobic" Selena replied opening the doors. "Where's your living room?"

Khan blinked once still clearly confused before leading Alex and the unconscious Anna downstairs. Selena sighed. She needed answers but she wasn't getting them. She looked around the room once more but found nothing. As she turned to leave, something fell on the ground. She froze, turning back slowly. A book with a worn leather jacket lay on the floor. Curious, she picked up the book  and flipped it open. It read

Property of Jacqueline Lyon.

Selena furrowed her eyebrow, getting more confused. She knew this book could answer some of her questions. She tucked the small book into her jacket moving downstairs to inform her crew of her recent discovery

                       ****

It's been weeks since Jackie arrived in St. Ives. She'd been wandering around the place searching for the Lyon's residence. Something tugged at her heart. This was her birth place, this was where she experienced happiness and also where she met sadness and unending misfortune. She sighed heavily as she walked down the lonely roads of St. Ives. The town was deserted, almost wiped off the map due to the lack of inhabitants in the area. Her stomach growled as she walked. She groaned as she clutched her stomach.

She vowed not to drink blood and so survived on the supplies she packed, which tasted like cardboard. She tried not to think of the hunger clawing at her insides. She stopped at a stream, gulping down as much water as she could to reduce her hunger. She looked at her reflection. Her hair had passed her waist, considering the fact she tied it in a high pony tail. Her skin was extremely pale, almost transparent. Her normally bright jade green eyes were dark. Her features were gaunt. She was thinner and she felt sick. She tried to smile but her canines tore her bottom lip, allowing her taste her own blood. She looked at her reflection in disgust. She looked pretty despite her very odd features but she hated it even more. She was a monster. A monster didn't deserve beauty.

Jacqueline got up, strapping her backpack tightly behind her as she trudged on. After hours that felt like an eternity, she found nothing. She groaned, feeling frustrated and miserable as she cursed herself wishing she died instead of watching others she loved die. Oblivious of a stone in the way, she tripped stumbling down the hill, twigs and sharp stones scratching her skin. She hit her head on a tree as she stopped. Blood blurred her vision. She grunted as she picked herself up, wedging herself on the tree. Pain erupted in her skull. At least, she didn't crack her skull. That was a good thing.

Jacqueline looked up and there stood a mansion. Its walls were covered in moss and crawling plants. It looked desolate, just like everywhere else in St.Ives. The winds blew harshly ruffling Jackie's ridiculously long hair. The metal gates had The Lyons written on it in italics. Her eyes widened. This was it. This was her home. Taking a deep breath she pushed the gates. It creaked as it opened wide. She could hear her own heart beating in her ears. This was it. This was the beginning of her quest. She walked into the large abandoned mansion. The gates creaking slowly as it closed behind her.

                          ****

Anna opened her eyes. She met three different pairs of eyes looking down on her. She looked around as she took in the homely feeling of the living room. She sat up,wondering how she got on the couch

"You passed out from your phobia" Selena said answering her unheard question.

"Oh"

Selena groaned. She was never one of many words. She made sure her actions conveyed her unspoken messages. She dropped the book on the table.

"What's that?" Alex asked looking at the book

"A book?"Khan answered in a 'duh' tone

Alex rolled his eyes
"I know it's a book. I'm not blind"

Khan shrugged "Never said that"

Alex glared at the red hair boy who gladly ignored him and instead turned his attention to the olive skinned girl

"How can this help us?"

"Not sure. Let's read it and find out"

Khan nodded. Selena glanced at each person in the room before taking a deep breath and opening the book. The four came close together, heads almost touching as they read the book.