Malcolm sat frozen in his seat, mouth agape but unable to form words. His limbs was stiff, and his expression blank. Josie had raised the question again at the dinner table—the same one he had narrowly avoided earlier. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his wife paused mid-bite on her cheeseburger.
Sweats rolled down his body, despite the air conditioner. Josie's eyes darted between her parents, her face scrunching up in frustration at their silence.
Gwen chewed her food and swallowed hard, forcing a smile.
"How was your first day at school, honey?" She asked.
Josie scowled. "Quit prevaricating and tell me why everyone at school kept looking at me like I'm some freak after they found out my name."
Gwen frowned, taking the napkin spread on her thighs. She dabbed it on her lips and replaced it.
"This is exactly why we didn't want you to go to that school." Gwen frowned, glancing at Malcolm to give him a quick sign, which he understood. She was only trying to buy Malcolm time to come up with something to say to Josie. "Do you want me to talk to your principal about it?"
"No," Josie shook her head. "I can handle it. I just thought I needed to know what the rumors are all about."
Malcolm sighed. "All right, I'll tell you everything. I think It's time you know the truth." He paused for a while, then continued talking. "It happened nearly seventeen years ago. There was a family in Westhill—the Lunates. They had malevolent powers to lay curses but used them wrongly, cursing anyone who sneezed too loudly near them... They cursed me too."
"What?" Josie leaned forward, nearly falling out of her seat. "You're cursed?"
She glanced at her siblings, who remained calm, watching her closely. She realized she was the only one who didn't know about it, but she wasn't angry—she understood it wasn't something they'd be proud to share with her.
"Was," he corrected. "There was a way to break free from their hexes."
Josie listened intently, her amber eyes locked on her father's.
"Which was to kill their entire bloodline." He said sharply.
Josie drew back in her seat. "Tell me you found another way,"
Malcolm sighed, fiddling with his cutlery before leaning forward to pour himself a glass of water. "This family was evil, Jo. They got what they deserved, and there was no other way."
Josie looked down at her nearly finished meal. She was relieved her father had broken free of the curse, but the thought of an entire bloodline being wiped out troubled her. Still, she shrugged it off—it was them or her family.
"But Dad," she said, looking up, "if we weren't the only ones the Lunates cursed, why are we the only ones the entire Westhill talk about?"
Malcolm picked up the glass of water and drank in large gulps.
"That's all you need to know, dear." He said after setting the cup down and taking a breath. "Hurry with your food,"
The room fell silent afterwards as everyone returned to their meals. Spoons clinked against plates, but no one was really eating again.
Dinner concluded, and Josie returned to her room. After she had showered and put on her blue pajamas, she was straightening the sheets on her bed when the hinges creaked as her father opened the door.
"Josie?" he called softly.
"Dad," she looked up.
"May I come in?" He asked.
She nodded.
While she settled into bed, her father walked toward her, sitting down near her feet.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have come at you and Mom like that."
"No, no," Malcolm replied. "You're part of this family, and you deserve to know everything."
She smiled, but her eyes didn't join in.
"Remember, your birthday is less than a month away. Don't let anyone ruin it for you." He opened his arms, inviting her in.
She scrambled across the bed, ruffling the sheets, and fell against his chest. For a while, she laid there, quiet, her small arms wrapped around him.
"But Dad," her grip loosened. "What if the curse isn't broken? What if that's why I'm like this?"
"Hey, listen," he cupped her chin. "There's nothing wrong with you. Mental health is just like physical health—we all need help sometimes. That's why your mother and I put you in therapy."
She looked up at him, her palms still resting against his back.
"Dad, I really don't want to go to therapy anymore."
Malcolm was thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "Okay," he said simply.
She couldn't believe her ears. "Really?" she grinned from ear to ear.
Malcolm nodded, now smiling hard too. She pressed her face against his chest again, so tight she could hear his heart beat. "Thanks, dad," she mumbled, her voice muffled by his shirt.
"I love you," he said, stroking her hair.
It felt comforting—his embrace was a refuge to her at that moment.
She asked him to stay until she fell asleep, and he agreed.
The next morning, Josie rose from bed and got ready for school. She grabbed her lunch and Malcolm drove her down.
At school, when she got out of the car, she spotted her friend Maggie waiting by the entrance. Together, they hurried through the halls, which were filled with the usual chaos. The stares and whispers from other students didn't bother Josie as much as they had the day before. Somehow, she felt accustomed to the attention.
Josie apologized for how she reacted to Maggie the previous day, but Maggie waved it off and said it was no big deal.
"The redhead was right." Josie shrugged.
"Oh, Belle?"
Though Josie was just knowing her name, she nodded.
"It was better I heard it from my parents instead."
"Did your dad say why they cursed him?"
"He said they cursed for fun." Josie shrugged. "Anyway, I'm glad all the cursed are finally free from the curses."
"Yeah." Maggie nodded.
"So, what kind of party are you planning for your birthday?" Maggie asked to change the topic of the discussion.
Josie scoffed. "Party, you say? My parents wouldn't even let you come over."
"Can't you talk to them?" Maggie urged. "I don't want it to be a boring day for you."
"They've granted enough of my wishes already. Plus, things are going well with my dad again. I don't want to ruin it," Josie replied.
The school bell shrilled. Maggie to glance up at where the sound came. "All right, let's get to class."
They walked briskly toward their classroom.
Their form teacher, Mr. Reed, walked in with a boy whom he introduced as Bryan Nate. Eighteen years old. Slightly brawny. He had a clear white skin, purplish hair, grey eyes and a dimple that beautified his smile.
Immediately, his eyes met Josie's while he went to take his seat. They felt the world around them pause. There was something about his aura she couldn't quite place.
Hours had gone by and it was now the biology teacher—a tall man with rough ginger hair and a nose that intrigued students about how he's able to draw breath—that strode across the room, explaining the endocrine system. Josie sat, paying close attention, when a voice whispered in her ear, "Let me in."
She turned to Maggie, who was also focused on the teacher. "You're being creepy, Maggie. Let you in where?" she asked.
Maggie furrowed her brows in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"You said 'let me in'."
"I did not say anything, Josie," Maggie insisted.
"Quiet, you two!" the teacher said sharply. "I do not tolerate side talks in my class!"
Josie's face contorted as she tried to make sense of what had happened. If Maggie hadn't spoken, then who did?
Suddenly, she heard a sharp scream in her head.
"No, no." She pressed her palms to her ears.
"Are you okay?" Maggie asked, but Josie ignored her, bursting out of the classroom despite the teacher's calls.
After being permitted by the teacher, Maggie hurried after her.
"This is the wrong place and time. Please go away," Josie whispered, walking through the hall with her eyes on the floor and her hands over her ears.
Maggie rushed behind her, calling out to her.
In the restroom, Josie shut the door, sitting on the toilet seat, hands over her bowed head as she sobbed. "Please, stop," she begged.
"Josie, are you okay?" Maggie asked from outside the door, but only Josie's sniffling answered. "I need you to talk to me. What's wrong?"
Suddenly, it became silent, and the vibe sent chills down Maggie's spine. She backed away slightly. "Are you okay in there?"
"Quit torturing me and tell me what you want!" Josie shouted.
Maggie quivered, backing a few more steps away.
A sinister laugh echoed in response. "Finally, you've asked the important question." It said.
Josie's eyes rolled into her head, blood rushing to her face as a blinding white light was the last thing she saw before she hit the ground.