Chapter Four: Eighteen With A Curse
1668 Words
I woke up this morning with my head pounding, and my entire body feeling as if someone had set me on fire. I sit up in bed and run my hand through my black, long, layered curls. I let out a yawn, get out of bed and make my way to the washroom. I walk past my bedroom window where the sun is streaming in nice and bright.
The second I walk into the light I scream. My body begins to turn red and start burning. I jump back, falling over my feet and landing on my round bottom. I look at my arm, where I could still feel a burning sensation, and rub it gently.
I sat there for a moment in complete confusion. When the realization of what is going on hits me, and I bury my face in my hands. Today I turn eighteen, and my cursed life begins.
I get up slowly and then hightail it past the window into the bathroom, I look in the mirror and what I see frightens me.
My once beautiful dark brown eyes have turned blood red. My teeth have become sharp like an animal, my skin is even lighter than it was before. I sit on the edge of the tub, my mind racing.
“Okay,” I say to myself, “You knew this was going to happen, pull yourself together and figure it out.”
I let out a sigh and run my hand through my hair again in frustration. “No, I can do this. I will treat this as any normal day.” Wonderful, now I am giving myself pep talks. Just what I need in my life.
I get up from the tub and wash my face, then dash back past my window and the light to my wardrobe. I pull out a dark red shirt, and a pair of white pants and get dressed. I tie my hair back and head out of my room.
As I look around, I notice certain changes. I can see tiny microscopic creatures in the stone floor. I can smell things cooking in the kitchen a floor below me, and I can hear my Aunt and Uncle arguing about the boys as usual.
Things look clearer to me now. It’s as if I had a veil in front of my eyes and it has been lifted. I try to focus myself and walk down the staircase to the dining hall. I can hear the boys bantering and eating their food.
I walk in and quietly sit by myself away from everyone. I grab some green grapes from a bowl nearby and pop one into my mouth. The taste is putrid. I spit it out and try to take a drink of water. Which I end up spitting out all over the table.
I scratch my head and then it dawns on me. This is all part of the curse. I let out another sigh and try to leave the room without being seen. Too late. My oldest cousin sees me. “Lilly! Are you going to eat with us?” He says with a smile. He was always far too cheerful in the morning for my taste.
I smile and shake my head, “No, I thought I was hungry, but I guess I'm not.” I say trying to back out of the room.
My Uncle bumps into me and I turn around, “Oh! Sorry Uncle Daniel. I didn't realize you were behind me.” I say quickly.
I look away real quick hoping he didn't notice my eyes. Thankfully he is distracted with a paper in his hand and just nods and continues into the dining hall. I scurry back into my room quickly, and yank my curtains closed while trying not to burn myself.
There is no light shining in. So I light the chandelier of candles and sit on my bed. I think to myself, “Okay, there is no way to hide my eyes, and eventually I am going to need food of some kind.”
I sigh again, and then I lose it. My body begins to shake as I quietly cry into my hands. After a few moments I take a deep breath, gather my strength, and pull myself together.
I can't fall apart right now; I must stay focused. This curse can be broken. I just have to find my true love. I let out another sigh because I have no idea who he is in this realm. Or if he is even in this realm.
This day is just getting better and better. “The best thing I can do is wait for night to fall, and then go searching for him. I can check the local taverns and shops to see if maybe, just maybe, he is out there.” I think to myself.
I pace back and forth in my room for a bit, and then go into the throne room. Today was supposed to be a happy day. A day of celebrating. I don't feel like being at the birthday party that my Aunt had arranged for me.
“I'm such an idiot.” I say to myself.
The entire kingdom had been invited for my birthday that night. That could be my chance to find him. My mood begins to perk up at the thought. I could have this curse fixed by midnight.
I go back to my bedroom and pull out the gown I was planning on wearing for the party. I go into the washroom and take a nice long bath. As I dry off, I look at myself in the mirror. It was as if I had blossomed overnight.
My waist is slim, yet curvy. I have a curvy bottom, and my chest has grown to the size of large melons. I let out a sigh and slide on my underclothes.
I get into my corseted dress. The material on top is a solid red, the bottom a sheer yellow with red flowers embroidered onto it. It is a lovely gown that trails to the floor and has a small train in the back.
I pop my head out of my bedroom door and call my handmaiden, Anna. She comes into the room and laces up the corsets on my under clothes and then the dress’s corset. She makes the top very form fitting.
“Thank you Anna that will be all.” I say with a smile. She nods and leaves the room. I sit on my bed and put on my red satin high heeled shoes. I pin my curly hair up into a dramatic updo.
I put on a light shade of eye shadow, some eyeliner, and a dark red shade of lipstick. I pinch my cheeks to give them some color. I place my crown upon my head and take one last look in the mirror.
I smile and leave my room and go into our ballroom. All the guests have arrived. My oldest cousin Lance takes my arm and escorts me into the room. I take a deep breath and put on a smile. The crowd parts and lets us through to where my throne sits waiting for me.
I turn and face the crowd. “Thank you for coming everyone. I am very excited to be celebrating my eighteenth birthday with you all. Please enjoy yourselves.” I sit down on my throne and slowly scan the guests.
If he is here, I will know when our eyes meet. The second I think that, I remember my eyes are still red. My aunt looks at me, her face full of worry.
“Lilly dear are you alright? Your eyes are bright red.” She asks taking my face in her hands.
“Yes, Aunt Ester, it's just an irritation. I got some soap in them during my bath.” I say trying to sound convincing.
I can see she is struggling to believe me, but she nods and then goes to sit next to Daniel. I let out a quiet sigh of relief, and begin to greet the people who are approaching me giving me birthday wishes.
I sit there for what feels like hours and hours greeting and thanking people. Finally, Lance comes to the rescue and takes me for a dance. We dance a few waltzes, but as we dance I can tell he is confused.
“Why do you have a weird look on your face Cousin?” I ask him as he spins me around.
“Why are your eyes red like that, and don't blame it on the soap.” He says giving me an impish grin.
I roll my eyes and let out a sigh, “I can't tell you here. I'll explain later when everyone leaves.” He nods and continues twirling me around the dance floor.
Lance and I had become best friends. He and I were the same age, and when his family had moved in after the death of my parents we grew close. I trusted him and I knew he would help me if he could.
When we both grew tired of dancing and laughing until our stomachs hurt, he took me back to my throne. I sat down and smiled. Deep down though I was disappointed. I had made eye contact with every man in that room and nothing. No sparks, no fireworks, no true love.
The party ended and I thanked everyone then went into my bedroom and plopped down on my bed. I covered my eyes with my hand and laid there.
That was a waste of time, and I was starving. My throat was burning and aching, my stomach empty. I knew I needed to eat. The question though was what was I going to eat?
As I laid there, I remembered the worst part of my curse.
To survive, I had to drink blood.
Human blood.
- Writer
