Penumbrae: The origin

CHAPTER 3: THE CURSE

The next few days went by quite fast. As our finals were arriving faster than usual all 4 of us would go to library to study for hours which wasn’t really good for us. Imagine studying with all of your friends in a quiet room. There will definitely be a moment which will result in all of you laughing and after that you won’t be able to go back to studying at all. Same thing happened with us, we 4 can never study together. We would just start laughing on random things and our study session would one way or another turn into laughing sessions.

So the night before our exam day I locked myself in the room and studied till late so I can at least pass my exams. I was slowly drifting off to sleep but I still had one whole chapter to finish so I decided to whip up some coffee. I went downstairs avoiding any floor board that would make a sound and successfully landed in kitchen. I made my coffee and was climbing the staircase when I felt like someone was around me. My eyes drifted to the mirror on the staircase to see the creepy lady again. I was able to only see her for a second or two and from that I observed that this time her hair were not black but gray and her skin was duller than before. I shook my head and went to my room.

It was 3 am and I was done studying and making notes. My empty coffee mug stayed on the edge of the desk and I had laid down for a little break. I woke up with a jolt when I heard a loud piercing scream from outside. I woke up and rushed towards my window to see who screamed but I couldn’t see anything. Even though I had cat eyes my vision was really strong. It is believed that people with cat eyes can't see further into the distance It was like with a little focusing I could see further and better but even with my special vision I couldn’t see anything.

I kept looking around but I didn’t find anything and then I heard another scream. This scream was very loud that I had to cover my ears with my hands. I scanned the area with more focus. Call me crazy if you want but I legitimately saw the shadows move. The shadows were creeping towards me. They were dark humanoid figure and there were two empty spaces in the place of eyes. It was like the shadows could see me. They were very close to me and as they got nearer the air got denser by the second. It was getting hard for me to breath. I backed away from the window and closed them. I glanced at the clock which indicated that it was 3:45 am.

Thinking that I was only dreaming I tried to pinch myself awake put it didn’t work. It was the reality. I switched on all the lights of the room because i am sure that I won't be able to sleep in dark from now on and went to bed trying to debunk the stuff I heard and saw. All I could conclude was that, I am going crazy.

The banging door didn’t wake me up today because I was already up and ready. When the door banged I opened the door and left my room. I could tell my dad was surprised to see me ready really early. I didn’t get up early. I couldn’t sleep. I was scared that as soon as I close my eyes I would hear the shrilling scream and see those shadows.

“Dad I won’t need a ride to university today. I am riding my bicycle.” I informed my father, took an apple from the fruit basket to fill up my energy and left my house not giving anyone a chance to talk to me. On my way to university I stopped at a supermarket to buy an energy drink to get me through the day and filled my water bottle with it.

I went straight to school library and opened my summarized notes to try to revise everything before giving exams. I was so focused on the notes I didn’t notice  when Harper, Carter and Lincoln joined me and started going through my notes. Carter was sitting beside me and for the first time I saw him be serious. I glanced at the clock that was on the wall behind Carter to see I still had 1 hour till exam. I went back to studies when Harper nudged me and when I looked up I saw Carter, Lincoln and Harper stare at me.

“Did someone draw on my face again?” I asked them rubbing my face when Carter held my hands and kept them on the table.

“You have huge dark circles under your eyes and you have huge scratch on your arm. Are you sure you are okay?” I glanced at my arm to notice the scratch Carter was talking about. This wasn’t there yesterday. I started thinking how I got it when Harper cleared her throat and whispered to us.

“Please tell me the studies have gone to my mind because it’s better than hearing that I actually woke up due to a loud shrilling scream yesterday night.” I could see the terror in her eyes. Her once sparkling eyes were filled with fear. 

“I thought it was only me who heard that.” Lincoln agreed to Harper and looked at Carter for his response. “I heard it too.” Carter confessed and they were all looking at me for my reply.

I thought I was dreaming. That I was the only one who heard the scream but it wasn’t only me. But if it wasn’t only me then why isn’t the whole school talking about? Why was there nothing in the news channel about this? Why only us four?

“Did you guys also see the shadows move? The shadows with eyes?” I asked them thinking that they probably saw that too but the look that Harper and Lincoln were wearing screamed that they don’t know what I am talking about.

“Moving shadows with eyes! Oh my god Isabelle this isn’t funny! Stop scaring me!” Harper whispered scream at me and to indicate that I was joking I laughed to which Harper and Lincoln relaxed. I turned to look at Carter who was staring at me with worry in his eyes. He knew what I saw and he also knew that I wasn’t lying.

“Anyway we should study now. I didn't give up my precious sleep to fail this exam. I heard Mr. Vlad made it hard. Now that is a scary story.” I laughed at my lame joke and Carter probably laughed at my laugh. When everyone was not worried we all started studying for the last 30 minutes and I made sure not to let my mind divert to the last night events.

After 3 hours of scribbling answers and almost getting a heart attack when only 5 minutes were left I left my examination hall to find rest of my friends. Everyone was chattering among themselves; some were very happy about their last exam and they couldn’t contain the excitement and some looked like they wanted to shed crocodile tears.

“HEY! How was your exam?” Harper hugged me from behind and her gesture indicated that her exam was great.

“I think I will pass but you will definitely pass with a distinction.”

“Hey don’t jinx it!”

“Looks like harp is getting another distinction. Well at least one of us will be a valedictorian.” Lincoln said with a bored look while dragging Carter.

“Carter What happened? Don’t tell me you tried to cheat and they took your paper before you could finish it.” Harper asked still hugging me. I hate when she gets super clingy.

“I DON’T CHEAT! I am going to fail. I am going to fail bad because they gave less questions for more marks! That’s just so hard.” Carter kept whining about the pattern of the paper while we just walked away laughing.

“It’s last day! Want to do something? We can go watch movies or try that new bowling alley!” Harper screamed suddenly and proceeded to explain how we need a break from last night events and the studies.

“For now I am starving and sleepy. Maybe after 2 to 3 hours?” I said as all my energy was drained and I had to sleep now.

“I and Carter will go get something to eat while you and Lincoln decide the time and place to meet.” Harper rushed and dragged Carter with her to cafeteria leaving me and Lincoln alone.

We were walking side by side and occasionally laughing at all the memories we made. I took my phone out to click some pictures together and when I checked the picture I just took I saw the lady again in the picture. Thinking that I am just sleepy I ignore and proceed to take another picture and this time I again see the lady but only closer to me.

“Lincoln, do you see this lady?” I asked Lincoln to make sure I am not actually crazy.

“What lady Isabelle?” Lincoln took my phone for closer look but he couldn’t see anything. I turned around to see and the creepy lady was there. I stumbled as I could see her completely and clearly. She was advancing towards me and she wasn’t stopping. I held Lincoln’s hand and he looked at me with worry.

“Isabelle what’s wrong? Maybe you are just seeing things. Nothing is there. Remember you didn’t sleep last night so that’s why you think there is something but there is nothing there.” Lincoln held my shoulder to reassure me but I couldn’t hear him. I couldn’t understand anything. She was still advancing. My eyes widen when she touched a girl who screamed with pain as soon as she was touched by the creepy lady. I removed Lincoln’s hand from my shoulder and turned him to see what I was seeing.

“You are saying that YOU can’t see that? Please tell me you are joking Lincoln. That lady! You can’t see that creepy lady?” I hurriedly asked Lincoln pointing at the lady advancing me while I was slowly backing away.

“Okay something is definitely wrong with you. I will get Carter and Harper and then we will take you home. Stay here. Don’t walk away okay? I will be back.” Lincoln left and as soon as he left the lady picked up her speed.

For an old lady who didn't look so old last week, she was quite fast. She kept advancing and then suddenly she dropped down. Her skin was very translucent and It seemed like life was draining out of her slowly. There was chunks of hair shedding away from her head. Her once beautiful skin was all wrinkled and it was so tight that I could see her bones and on some places the skin wasn’t even there. You could see the flesh. It was matter of time she would fly away into thin air.

I was deciding if I should run or help the fallen women but before I could run away I saw her simultaneously caress the ground and stare at me. I left the weird creepy lady on floor and ran but the ground caught me. I glanced down to see my feet which were captured by strong tendrils made of……dirt? I tried to wiggle out of it but it didn’t work. They just tightened around my ankles before I could scream for my friends the lady was already invading my personal bubble and her hands were on my face. While she was caressing my face in a ghostly manner she didn’t seem to notice my wincing cause her graceful touch was so painful yet somehow I forgot to scream. I could feel the dirt tendrils crawling their way up my body from behind. The tendril could be a snake slithering and I wouldn't question it as they both were surprisingly very similar.  

“I am Ophelia, the keeper of future and time. Unfortunately time is something that is not on my side recently so I need your help Isabelle Lysander.” As soon as this creepy lady opened her mouth mist came out of it along with the words. Her voice was deep and her pitch was low. It was piercing but not enough to bleed my ears. Her voice sent shivers down my spine.

I tried to speak but only muffles came out so she removed her dirt tendrils from my mouth. “if you need my help ask nicely! Don’t restrain me and give me your death touch.” I whispered scream at her thinking that what if she isn’t seen by anyone and if I scream at her then people will think I am crazy. I am already a freak to them cause of my cat eyes. Don’t wanna give them more reasons.

The lady showed her grin and traced my face with her long slender fingers. They should call her slenderina.

She started circling me like I was a prey and I didn’t like it at all. I wanted to escape her gaze because her gaze was sending dangers my way and they felt very real.

“For the person who can see the future only, you inflict a lot of pain.” I tried to say but my voice was trembling from the pain I was receiving.

“Sorry darling. This is a gift I was bestowed upon. My time is coming and I don’t have a heir for my job. So I need your help.”

“Nope I am sorry. I don’t see any way I can return you this favor. Not when all I receive back is pain!” I screamed at her ignoring the stares thrown my way.

“Your cat eyes make you special. You have great potential and I have a feeling your potential will only increase this month. You will be the great bearer for this power. Your origin tells me a lot about you and I know you won’t disappoint me. There is a lot of risk for trusting you but I will be dead to see or know the consequences. May you keep the peace between all the worlds.” Ophelia explained everything but all I could focus was on the amount of mist that was surrounding us right now. I felt I was the eye of the hurricane. I did not like where this was going and I had loads of question but she wasn’t giving me a chance to ask anything as she kept talking and caressing my face knowing I was in a lot pain. 

Ophelia's touch made pain explode in my head and spread throughout my body. the drops of sweat were the indication of her searing touch burning up my body. Ophelia didn't care if my body would take whatever she was doing. All that mattered to her was the task at hand. 

I looked up to look at her but I didn’t find her instead I found a lot of mist in her place so I thought everything was over but I was still stuck in the dirt tendrils which were inching closer to my waist now. I tried using my hands to yank it off me but the tendrils just ate my hands. Not literally though. It’s just that my hands were tied down too. I was thrashing around when from behind me two hands touched my temple. I realized that Ophelia wasn’t done and was still present in my personal bubble.

“Mortuos cujus tempora transierunt da ei unum ultimum depraehendo hoc obiectum i largiri c*m animo tuo Novit iter tuum et auxilio Dei ad hoc volo ut fiat mihi” Ophelia kept on chanting and not once did she remove her hands from my temple. At first her touch was cold and icy but after every repetition of her incantations her touch was getting warmer. Her incantations sounded like they were Latin and it scared because i suck at latin and had no clue what curse she was giving me. 

“GET YOUR SMOLDERING HANDS OFF ME!” I screamed wiggling around but that only made her hold me tighter.

“STOP! I DON’T WANT WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING! PLEASE I BEG YOU!”

The intensity of her touch was excruciating and I couldn’t bare it anymore. My eyes watered and started getting heavy but her chanting was increasing not only by volume but she was also reciting it faster. I focused around my surrounding past the mist to see that no one was noticing anything. It was like Ophelia and I were invisible.

Ophelia moved her place so that now she was standing in front of me but not even once she removed her hands from my temple.

“Lady just give up! It hurts! I will help you if you don’t touch me!” I screamed trying to make her understand but she wasn’t listening. Her eyes didn’t have any iris in them anymore they were plain white and mist was coming out from all the parts of body; eyes, nose, ears, hands, feet and many more. The shadows were moving in and Ophelia was crumbling. Literally. Her features were dissolving and she was turning to dust.

“STOP! You are hurting yourself!” I screamed once again trying everything in my will power to stop her but I couldn’t move. The tendrils had reached my torso and my vision couldn’t grasp what was happening anymore. Ophelia didn't care about her health, she wanted me even if it meant she would die. Ophelia removed her hands from my temple and wrapped them around my neck. As she wrapped her hands she wailed with pain and saw her hands with fear. She got burned just by touching my neck but that didn’t stop Ophelia. She commanded the tendril to release my hands and held them tight.

I couldn’t see anything through the tears and the mist. I was shaking and Ophelia’s touch was killing me but bringing me back to life. She was literally torturing me. I forced my eyes open and saw Ophelia turn to dust. Imagine sand dunes. One moment they are there the next their shape is different. Same situation was happening with Ophelia. The wind was taking her away. Her eyes turned green and she held my hands tighter. By now the tendrils were up to my neck and I was almost suffocated by it and then Ophelia removed her hands and touched where my heart is supposed to be, resulting in her body being ignited and turning into ash. What surprised me was that not once she stopped reciting her incantation, even when she was disappearing you could hear her incantations.

“NOOOO!” I screamed as I tried to grasp her fallen ashes but as soon as Ophelia disappeared all the mist, shadows and whatever entity was swirling around me rushed and went inside me making me stumble to the ground. I fell on my butt and broke the dirt case around me in process.

As soon as I fell people around me looked at me and then went back to their job. I rushed where Ophelia was standing and all I saw were ashes. I picked handful of it and the wind took it away from me. I sat on the floor, near the ashes when suddenly my body gave up and my mind stopped working.

“Everything will be alright cattus. Trust your guts” I heard Ophelia whispering in my head just before my perception of time distorted, my vision blurred and eventually darkened as I rolled and hit my head on the road.