Wang's Pov.
The world around me seems engulfed in a blanket of uncertainty, with every event instilling fear in my heart. Accompanying this fear is an overwhelming sense of helplessness. I find myself at a loss, incapable of controlling the situation. It is as if I am trapped in a whirlwind of emotions, desperately searching for a lifeline to cling to. This profound feeling of helplessness only exacerbates my fears, compounding the weight on my shoulders.
Zhan holds a special place in my heart, and the mere thought of losing him fills me with profound sadness and despair. Our shared experiences, laughter, and companionship have woven an unbreakable bond between us. Losing him would mean losing a part of myself, leaving an indelible void that may never be filled.
"Zhan, I need to go out for a few hours with my brother and Jackson. Will you be fine with Meng and Yu Bin while I'm gone?" I asked, feeling compelled to seek solace in the one person who understood the gravity of the situation - Zhan's mother.
Zhan nodded, still looking scared, and asked, "Where are you going?"
"We're just heading out to pick up a few things," I replied, trying to sound reassuring. "Don't worry, we'll be back soon."
"Okay, I will be here," he whispered.
"Meng and Yu Bin will be here too, so you won't be alone."
Zhan nodded, but his expression remained scared as if he was worried about what might happen in my absence.
"I have a surprise for you on the way," I said, kissing him. I mind-linked Liu and Jackson, not wanting Zhan to know that we were visiting his mother. I needed to know more about the curse before I could tell him. "We'll be back soon," I said, trying to sound reassuring. Zhan nodded, but he still looked scared, his expression filled with worry. I gave him another kiss and promised him that everything would be alright.
Meng, please take care of him. I turn to face her.
I promise, with every fiber of my being, I will take care of him. I know she meant it. Yu Bin has developed an unusual habit of gathering herbs, and I know he would also look after Zhan.
I love you, I whispered to Zhan as I hugged him, and he hugged me tighter. I felt a wave of warmth wash over me as I embraced him, knowing that I had Yu Bin and Meng to rely on to keep him safe.
Whatever her name is, I don't trust her. The moment we stepped outside the house, Liu voiced his concern.
"I agree," I said. "We need to know more about this curse before we act."
"Why don't we look for Hemfire first? I'm sure he knows a witch or two," Jackson suggested as we mounted our bikes.
"I can drop him a message," Liu said as we drove off. "Maybe he can also give us more information about this woman and the supposed curse."
The road to the foot of the mountain was eerily quiet and dark. It was almost as if the darkness was warning us of the danger that lay ahead. We kept our eyes peeled for any sign of trouble as we rode, but all we could see was the faint light of the moon. Even the wind seemed to have stopped, making it almost unbearably quiet.
We approached the cottage, and immediately, it gave off an eerie vibe that was not to my liking. The worn-out paint, creaking porch, and overgrown bushes all added to the haunted atmosphere. Despite our unease, we parked our bikes and cautiously walked towards the front door.
As we entered the cottage, the musty smell hit our nostrils. We saw a werewolf crouched in the corner, its eyes glowing in the moonlight. We also saw a witch stirring a bubbling cauldron in the center of the room, confirming our initial suspicions. The dimly lit hallway was filled with dusty old photographs and antique furniture, giving the place an old-world charm. We couldn't help but feel trepidation.
Zhan's mom sat at the far end of the room, seemingly unafraid and unbothered by the supernatural elements surrounding her.
She motioned for us to follow her and gracefully stood up. The floorboards creaked beneath our feet, and the silence was broken only by the occasional distant wind gust. She guided us through the long hallway, past antique furniture and dusty old photographs, until we reached a door at the end. She opened the door and stepped inside, beckoning us to follow her.
The room we entered was filled with ancient artifacts and faded tapestries, creating an atmosphere that felt frozen in time. The walls were covered in peeling wallpaper, revealing glimpses of the cottage's history. It was like stepping into a forgotten era.
"You are not good for him," she spits as she turns to face us. These words, laced with disdain and resentment, cut through the air like a sharp blade.
"What do you mean by that?" I retorted, my voice rising in anger. "He's his person and can make his own decisions."
"He is an innocent, pure soul, unlike you," she said, her voice dripping with contempt. "You may be thousands of years old, but you have blood on your hands. You have no place in his life."
"What do you mean by that?" Liu took the question out of my mouth, his voice shaking with indignation. "Why do you think you have the right to dictate what is right for Zhan? This isn't your decision to make."
"But he is my baby to protect," she hissed. "He is my son, and I cannot stand by and watch him make mistakes that will jeopardize his future. I will not allow you to corrupt him and lead him down a path of destruction."
"Enough!" Jackson said, getting irritated. "We are here to find a solution and work together, not argue. We all care about Zhan and want what is best for him, and the only way to do that is to work together and come up with a plan that we can all agree on."
Will you allow me to take him and care for him? Zhan's mom asked.
"I promised him I wouldn't let you take him, but you can stay with us and take care of him."
She paced the room, rubbed her hands together, and pleaded, "Please, let me just take him. I won't let anything bad happen to him. I promise."
Zhan's mom seemed to be behaving very strangely, and it almost made it seem like she wasn't even related to Zhan. The fact that she was so eager to take Zhan away and not forthcoming about anything only deepened my suspicion.
"You seem eager to take Zhan. What about the necklace he told me about? Is there something you're not telling me?"
"What necklace?" She whispered before her eyes widened, and she realized she had said it out loud.