His oppression

First Step

Chapter Thirteen: FIRST STEP

It’s been a really slow day in the toy store and thankfully, we were given an earlier time to end our shifts. On a coincident note too because Radcliff decided to go with me to help out on what he can do without being too suspicious around. Since I didn’t want to throw away the chance, we planned to get some Epsom salt so he could bathe in it. What I’m not prepared for are the measurements and how effective it was if we’re going to be dispensing much of our budget. It said that this process cleanses all negativity. Salts aren’t expensive but if I’m going to be exhausting funds to something that doesn’t work then s**t will I be really mad.

Radcliff is like a ghost and there’s a handful of things he could touch including myself. I’m not really confident with how this is going to turn out truthfully. What if his body refuses to take in the effects the bath can provide for him? What if we’ve just been fooled into thinking it works?

Epsom salt baths conforming with the variety of views from people are potent but I don’t think it’s the way we intended and wanted in the first place. We lack on exploring the matter in other perspectives. For example, a medical standpoint. What if the bath is just to get rid of stress and not really anything related to curses?

It infuriates me to ponder that I’ve kind of neglected that side of things. And to think that’s my signature, to perform countless research first before going into something I’m not really well informed about just goes to show how irresponsible I was being lately. It hurts my poor soul or just my ego in general.

Something deep inside tells me that I just didn’t want to disappoint Radcliff if nothing ever good comes out of this-- or simple just nothing. I hope he doesn’t hate me.

We’ve just arrived at a local drugstore that should be selling epsom salts. In the corner of my eye, a certain shop had been standout-ish. A certain shop that sells all things related to witchcraft and magic, a location I’ve just been bypassing but had been really charming of late. The current situation is gravitating me more into going there despite the beliefs I have.

“Hey, how about we go there?” I asked Radcliff, pulling his sleeve before grabbing his arm and exiting the drugstore.

“Is that a magic shop?” he asked, like he wasn’t even seeing the massive sign that said ‘magic shop for your needs’.

“Let’s just take a risk, something might work or we can talk to the owner of the shop or something that might help us even more.”

“Alright, I have my faith in you.” he said, smiling down at me. “If you think that would be more handy, let’s go with that.”

That sentence alone made me drench in nervousness once more. Having someone put their trust in you but you really have no inkling of a plan to get through this. It doesn’t help that he’s nice about the mistakes and the duration this has been taking. He’s not one to pressure, in fact I’m the one who’s been bringing this up constantly. It’s just weird all in all to think about.

“We should have gone to one to begin with,” I told him as we now entered the place. “It could have been so much easier and I’m sorry.”

Instantly, I was greeted with a familiar aroma and I couldn’t pinpoint what but it was so homely that I felt safe within the walls.

“You’re apologising for what?” he asked, confused.

“That I let myself hinder making things progress faster.” I sighed, looking back at him. “I’m not going to repeat myself so there’s your apology.”

He chuckled, putting a hand underneath my chin. “Apology accepted but it really isn't necessary. I acknowledge the sincerity though.”

“Okay, good.”

He’s just really touchy and flirtatious and I’m getting used to this trait of his. I shouldn’t be as it was slowly going forward into becoming a hint that I was getting attached. And who likes getting attached, knowing the person could be leaving sooner than you think.

“Good evening, what can I get you?” a guy greeted from a counter, a friendly smile splattered all over his face. 

“Um.. do you have any idea how to lift a curse?” I just asked, scratching my cheek. “It’s an old curse.”

“Oh an old curse. Are you the one cursed or is it someone in your life?” he asked, grabbing a pen and a paper which was kind of odd. Was he going to write down the details?

“It’s someone..” I clarified, not knowing how to explain the condition without appearing like I was deranged. “It’s a strange concept. I just want to know what I can do to permanently remove it, ways that it’s possible for me to achieve.”

He nodded his head before his eyebrows furrowed. “Something is linked to you, isn’t it?”

How could he know that? Well of course, it’s a magic shop, how could I not know that?

“I just sense a presence is all. He’s got quite the personality. A neutral soul.”

If he’s speaking about Radcliff, I doubt he has a big personality that sticks out. If he’s not then what the hell is with me all this time if it’s not Mr 16th century guy?

“Then you must know what kind of trouble he’s in right now, yes?” I asked. It’s stupid but it’s worth the shot.

“Are you saying he’s the one who’s cursed?”

“Yes.”

“The trouble is he’s cursed and he wants to be freed from it.” he looked behind me as if he really was seeing Radcliff. “But I don’t think that is the situation you should be wary about.”

“What do you mean?” I asked quickly, looking at Radcliff to see if he had the same reaction that someone can see him too.

He looked interested enough.

Came about was an old woman who utilised a walking cane to support her weight. She, too, had a friendly smile with no lower teeth present. “Hello darling, how are you?”

She had a vibe I can’t really feel but it’s probably something that shouldn’t be worried about.

“G-good.” I replied, just wanting to get the other guy’s take. “Um we don’t really have time to hang around, can we get our supplies?”

When they’re old people, I just have so much respect and I’m polite as f**k. But right now I wasn’t in the mood to converse.

“Oh, what were you looking for?”

“Curses and stuff. I’m in no way saying I’m good at it because I’m not, I just need a little bit of your guidance.” I told them with a sigh.

She seemed to have noticed Radcliff as well when her eyes were everywhere but me and often looking somewhere over my head. “Who’s that fine fellow with you?”

“You can see him??” I asked, wanting to just cry at how overwhelmed I was there right now.

I’m the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on and something inside me feels like I’m being used or being made fun of by how naïve I am. They know something.

“His presence is very weak but I’m getting a glimpse at how he looks.” she smiled at me. “You’ve mentioned curses. Indeed he abhors a lot of grudge within him from being cursed.”

“I don’t think the original caster is alive anymore?”

“They aren’t but generational curses are next to impossible to break. Do you know the caster’s lineage?”

“What do you mean?”

I’m really confused and it’s bothering me.

“You know what, darling, we can give you the materials you might need. It isn’t a foolproof plan but it can be taken into consideration. We haven’t encountered a generational curse like this one and we might need to further study. Come back to us if it doesn’t work.”

She gestured to the guy on the counter to gather the materials she’s citing. Some were just ridiculous and I’m guessing that it might cost us a fortune because she’s really listing a lot.

Radcliff had gone real quiet and it’s kind of understandable that he was. But I just expected to be excited.

“I’m asking if you know the lineage of the witch that had cursed him but based on what I can see, you don’t know.”

“He just came to me because he said I can see him!” I complained with a sigh. “I don’t know any witch. I don’t even believe witches are real or even the magic stuff, it’s all illusions and in the head.”

Even though what I said was offensive, the old woman didn’t seem to take it to heart.

“Some are, yes.” she smiled at me before lending the paper bag that contained the things needed before a book. “Full moon is the most essential. Even after the week of the full moon, it can still be successful. But I strongly suggest you do the ritual in a full moon.”

“Why a full moon?” I asked, looking at both the guy and the old woman.

“The tides rise up depending on which phase the moon is at, yes?”

I nodded my head.

“Our body consists of more water physically and metaphorically. In this sense, you can emit powers more in a full moon than any other day. There’s a huge chance you can break a spell in a full moon.”

I don’t get it but I shall pretend I did because I want to go home and read about this. If this turns out to be a hoax then I just came into terms that we shouldn’t put our trust in people trying to sell products like these and you shouldn’t trust the words that come out of their mouth.

“512 dollars!?” my eyes were ready to pop out of my eye sockets at that instant.

The price for what, pepper? Is that expensive? What is this foolishery?

What made me snap out of my thoughts was Radcliff’s hand on my shoulder so I really don’t have a choice. It was his money after all and I’m just here to do the dirty work for him.

“The book is the most expensive out of all the things you bought. Here is your receipt.” the guy said.

I was just asking what I can do, I didn’t even ask that they give me the things I need. They really try to take advantage of the ‘fact’ they can see Radcliff and make me believe them.

“Just purchase the essentials, Aria. We can keep going.”

Radcliff too! Isn’t he happy that other people can see him? Or does he sense they’re making things up too? And he just wants to take the things and leave?

“Fine,” I frowned, reaching into my bag and counting up the money that is required before handing it to the guy.

“Like grandma said if it doesn’t work, come by again and we’ll be happy to serve you.”

“Yeah-yeah,” I shook my hand. ‘You’ll be happy again tricking me into buying these things.’ Oh the world we live in, it’s really cruel. But desperate times call desperate measures.