The Cursed Child

Chapter Four

I opened my eyes slowly only to see that I was in my bed. Confused, I sat up slowly and looked around. There was a beautiful sunrise which lit my room up perfectly. I placed my hand across my forehead for a few seconds before stretching. As I opened my eyes from the incredible stretch and yawn, I noticed small things about myself had improved. 

My eye sight was impeccable. They were never terrible from the beginning but I could see so much clearer. I could see the dust floating in the air, I could see every single detail in the room. My hearing had improved as well tremendously as I could hear so much around me. 

"The King is down." I heard a voice say. I jumped out of bed and looked around the room yet there was nothing or no one around. I shrugged it off before walking towards my bedroom door and opening it. As soon as the door opened, I could hear Penny and Chase's voices downstairs. I followed the sound of their voices which led me directly to the dining room area. As I entered, the both of them for quiet and stared at me. 

Penny smiled brightly before walking over to me. "I'm so glad that you're awake. Mom was worried sick about you!" 

"Where is she and how long was I out?" 

"She's at work. It took plenty of convincing for her to go in today. She actually wanted to rush you to the hospital immediately after you passed out but I kept telling her that it was dehydration and not even rest." Penny revealed. 

Chase cleared his throat. "Penny's main concern was the doctors discovering something about you and sending you elsewhere." 

"What?" I asked. 

"I didn't tell him!" Penny yelled as she winked. "I was panicking as you laid there and it all just slipped out. You were out the entire day!" 

"You panicked and decided to just air it out to the entire universe that I am not only a mutant living in the states but I am cursed, the missing child that the King has been searching for, and the rightful heir to the throne!" I exclaimed. Chase dropped the apple that he was eating as he leaned over the counter while Penny sighed heavily and smacked the palm of her hand against her forehead. 

"I didn't but you just did." She revealed. 

"Oh!" I said after coming to realization that her wink was her way in letting me know that she hadn't revealed my secret. 

"I'm telling!" Chase yelled as he ran towards the exit. Penny ran behind him at an attempt to stop him but the athlete was a bit faster than she was. I held my hand up towards Chase as a way in grabbing him. However, I was shocked that the door slammed shut directly in face before he could exit. Chase and Penny stood there in silence as I stared at my hands in shock. 

"Journee?" Chase asked calmly. "Did you just slam this door in my face without touching it?" 

"Telekinesis." Penny whispered. 

"What?" He asked. 

"She has telekinetic abilities. It is the ability to move things with her mind!" Penny revealed. I stood still with my eyes on my hands still too shocked at what just happened. Chase turned around and faced me with an expression on his face that I had never seen before.  

"How long have you known?" He asked. 

"We just found out." Penny answered. "It has only been maybe 48 hours and so much has happened during that small time." 

"If she's gaining these odd powers suddenly. Could that be a reason why she passed out yesterday?" Chase asked. 

"That's what I wanted to talk about." I started. "Yesterday, I met a woman who claims to be one of the original creators of the kingdom. She told me that I needed to return home and basically warned me to not embrace the dark side." 

"Embrace the dark side? What dark side?" Penny asked. 

I shrugged. "After I realized who I truly was. I felt something completely shift in me. I got weaker and weaker until I couldn't even keep my eyes open." 

"I'm new to all of this." Penny said as she sighed and sat at the dining room table with her hands on her face. Chase leaned against the wall and crossed his broad arms against his shoulders. 

"When I woke up, I heard a voice say that the king was down." I revealed. Penny looked up at me in confusion. 

"He's down?" She asked. 

"Yes but I have no idea what that means. Could he possibly be dead?" I asked. 

"I'll sure that's what they're probably trying to say." 

"Or they could be saying that the king passed out?" Chase said. Penny and I looked up at the brunette boy as he pulled a chair out and sat in it. "Think about it! You went down too. Maybe he passed out because he felt you?" 

I stood there for a minute thinking about the theory that Chase had just thrown out. I could hear Penny and Chase talking to one another but I couldn't bring myself to understand what they were saying. I just stared at the wall in disbelief. 

"How will we go about this? We need to figure something out quickly!" Penny said. 

"We report this and send her back to her country!" Chase exclaimed 

"We cannot do that! They'll probably do the complete opposite. She's illegal! She was never supposed to be here!" 

"So?" 

"They don't care about how she got here! They'll kill her!" Penny yelled as she stood up and pushed the chair back. 

"She is royalty! I'm sure they will keep her alive for that reason alone! She is not our responsibility. I'm sure we will get paid a lot of money for this too!" 

"She's not some random ass person! She's my sister and I will not just throw her out to these people as if she's nothing! She has been raised with us since the very beginning! We have more than enough money!" 

Chase scoffed. "Do you not realize how much trouble we will be in if they find out that we've been hiding a mutant here?" 

"I do." 

"She's not just a mutant but the f*****g princess!" Chase yelled. Penny pushed Chase out of her way as she made her way towards the refrigerator. Chase followed behind her as she shook her head in disbelief at him. 

"She's Journee to me." She said softly.

"She's Princess Raine to me!" 

"She doesn't belong here!" Chase exclaimed. He turned faced me and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, your majesty. You must be returning home with your kind now." 

"Leave her alone!" Penny yelled as she tossed a kiwi at Chase. Chase caught it before throwing it back at her. Angrily, she picked up a knife and threw it at him. I gasped, held my hands up, and squeezed my eyes shut as the room went silent. I could hear Penny and Chase breathing heavily and my heart was racing. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Penny standing behind the counter with her eyes widened and her hand across her chest. Chase stood in the same spot with a panicked look on his face as the knife that Penny had angrily threw was floating in thin air and pointed directly at his face. 

Gasping, I stared at the knife as my hands began to shake. "Chase, get out of the way before I lose concentration." Chase slowly nodded his head before moving out of the way. I dropped my hands as the knife fell to the floor causing all three of us to sigh in relief. 

"You could've killed me." Chase growled as he stared at Penny with hatred. 

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I had gotten so angry." 

"This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for me. I think I have to go to Runne. I need to figure out how to control whatever this is that I have and I need to know a lot of other things but staying here will not help me one bit." I announced. 

"How will you get home?" Chase asked as he stood near the wall refusing to make eye contact with me. 

"I need a plane ticket." 

"You have no job." He pointed out. 

Penny sighed. "Mom is going to kill us." 

"Do you have a plan?" Chase asked as Penny nodded. She took off up the stairs as we followed behind her. We entered her bedroom as she grabbed her laptop and began typing away. I watched as she quickly purchased a plane ticket using our mom's credit card. 

"We can get you to the airport by 11:30 since your flight takes off tonight at 12:00!" Penny said. 

"Planes actually land in Runne?" I asked. 

"They land and royal guards do the rest." Chase revealed. "I suggest you get rest since you'll have a long flight." 

I did the complete opposite. While Penny and Chase took naps, I locked myself away in my bedroom and sat next to the window to take in the scenery of the place that I've known as my home for the past nineteen years. I was absolutely saddened that I probably would never see this place again within the next hour. I watched as the cars sped past the house. New York was truly a busy place. However, it was home and would always be special to me. I had many memories here and I felt forced and disgusted that I'd have to leave it all behind because people couldn't come together. I sighed before standing up and walking towards the door. I pushed it open and tip toed to my mom's room. She  laid in the bed with the lights off and I could see that she was still awake yet she was slowly drifting off. 

"Mom?" I called out. She turned around and smiled softly at me. 

"Hi Baby! Are you feeling better?" She asked. 

"I'm a little under the weather but I feel fine." I answered as I sat at the end of the bed. 

"Let me know if you start to feel any worse. I'll rush you to the emergency room." She said as I smiled softly and nodded. This was the woman who couldn't have kids, a woman who lost her husband, a woman who took in four lost souls and raised them as her own. She was the definition of strength. She had been my hero since the beginning of the life I knew and would always remain. 

"I love you, mom." I said. 

"I love you more." She replied. 

"You've been incredible towards me since you first laid eyes on me. You've raised me into the woman I am today. I am honored to call you my mother. I want you to know that no matter what I become in this life of mine, you will always be known as my mom and my hero." I said. 

She smiled at me softly before reaching over and giving me a hug. She pulled away and gave me a kiss on my cheek and pushed the loose hairs that fell out of my high ponytail back. "What's wrong?" 

"Nothing is wrong." I answered. "I just felt the need to tell you." 

"My beautiful Journee, I've raised you since you were a baby. I have watched you blossom into such a wonderful young lady and I want you to know that I am extremely proud of you. You are special and you're destined to do great and special things in your life." She said. 

I stared at the ground as she finished saying that. She didn't realize that this was my way of saying goodbye to her. I pulled her in for another hug before pulling away. She laid back down as I sat there next to her and watched the television. I sat there for a few minutes before turning around and seeing that she had officially drifted off to sleep. I stood up and pulled the covers over her arms that had chill bumps all over. I kissed her forehead softly and smiled. 

"Goodnight and Goodbye Mama." I whispered. I walked out of the room and closed the door gently behind me. As soon as I made my way to my room, I laid eyes on Chase and Penny who stood there. Chase held my suitcase in his hands with the keys while Penny stood next to him. 

"Are you ready?" She asked. 

"I guess." 

We quickly ran downstairs and towards the front door trying to not wake the woman who slept peacefully. I got in the backseat as Penny got in the passenger seat and Chase in the drivers seat. We backed out of the driveway and sped towards the airport. I grabbed my phone and sent a long message to our eldest sister who was in college. 

"Today marks eleven years since the crash of Flight 74 in the Bermuda Triangle. We still remember the lives that we lost on that tragic day." The woman on the radio said. Chase quickly changed the station as we drove the rest of the way in silence. 

It didn't take long before we arrived at the airport. I got out of the car and rushed towards the entrance as Penny grabbed my hand and pulled me into a tight hug. I sighed deeply before wrapping my arms around her.  

"I'll miss you so much!" I whispered as she sniffed. 

"Don't forget about me." She replied. 

"Never." I said before pulling away. Chase walked over to me and handed me my suitcase as I grabbed it from him. He refused to look me in the eye but he nodded his head. 

"Thank you." I mumbled to him. 

"Hurry now!" Penny said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "We don't want you to be late." 

I nodded my head before taking a deep breath and walking into the gigantic airport. I kept walking until I made it to the correct gate and from there I made my way to the plane and into my seat. I sat down and stared out the window as everyone sat in their seats. I sniffed refusing to let myself cry as an older woman sat next to me. 

"Where are you headed?" She asked she gave me a soft but sad smile. Before I could respond, we were told to buckle up and prepare for takeoff. We listened to a few rules, followed the directions, and listened to the pilot speak for a bit before the plane began to takeoff. 

"Are you able to answer my question now?" She asked as she laughed. 

I smiled. "I am going to Runne." 

She stared at me confused for a bit before nodding her head. "You'll be dropped off in Belize and you'll have to cross the border from there. Once you cross the border, you'll officially be in Runne." 

"I see." I responded before looking out the window. 

"The Runne Kingdom is for mutants only though. There has been no human being to cross their border. Do you have a death sentence?" She asked. 

"I'll be fine." 

"The guards are everywhere in that country too! Everyone's waiting on the princess to return. I'm almost positive that the poor child is dead and has been dead for years which is why I'm worried about you going there. The only person who'd willingly go to that country is if it is the lost princess." She said. I watched as she stopped talking and her furrowed eyebrows raised up in shock. She started at me for a few seconds before realizing what she had just discovered. I raised my index finger and placed it over my lips as a way in telling her to not say anything. She stared at me with tears in her eyes. 

"My Goodness!" She whispered as she blinked and the tears fell down. "He will be very happy to see you."  

"Thank you." I mumbled. She bowed her head slightly trying not to draw much attention to us. 

"Your secret is safe with me." She stated. I smiled and looked out of the window before letting the tears drift slowly down my cheeks. I stared out the window as the rain poured down knowing I was the cause of it. 

I was on the aircraft for hours before getting dropped off in Belize City. From there, I used the money that Penny had packed in my luggage and was driven to The Runne Kingdom. Belize was beautiful. Everyone walked around with smiles on their faces, it was surrounded by water. The sun beamed brightly and the people here were truly kind. I knew we were closer to the Runne Kingdom when people disappeared and the ocean did too. The building changed and looked like small cottages yet they were fancy. There was a huge bridge that we crossed and I looked up and could see the huge palace. 

"I'll have to stop here." The man announced. I thanked the man and gave him the money for taking me as far as he could before grabbing my bag and exiting the car. Six guards stood up ahead wearing blue and black uniforms with their armor. I sighed deeply and walked towards them. 

"Hello?" I called out. 

One of the men walked over towards me. He looked disgusted at the sight of me. He stared at me for a few minutes before speaking. "Why are you here?" 

"I am a mutant." I responded and I mentally slapped myself for saying it. 

"Who are you?" He asked. 

"I must speak with The King." 

"Who are you?" He asked again.

"I've lived my life out there with humans and I have only just discovered that I am a mutant. I'd appreciate it if you let me speak with your king." 

"The King has been bedridden." He announced. "I suggest you return to your home." He began walking back to his post with the rest of the guards leaving me standing there.

"I can feel him." I whispered to myself. "You must let me see him!" 

The guard turned around and stood there for a few seconds then he walked towards me again except this time he looked extremely upset. "I am not here to play games! Who are you? If you cannot identify yourself then you will never speak with the king!" 

"My name is Journee. I am nineteen years old and I am from Monroe, New York. I was raised by a woman who adopted me and my siblings and they were the only family that I thought I had up until recently." I revealed. 

"Thank you but-" He started but I quickly cut him off. 

"I can feel your King!" I announced. "I was born Princess Raine of The Runne Kingdom to King William and Queen Victoria." 

I could hear all of the guards gasp. "Do not dare speak of the princess!" 

"He's awake!" I yelled. "King William has awoken. I can feel him and I know he feels me as well. You must take me to him!" 

"Why should we believe that you're the princess?" He asked. 

"I don't know." I replied. "We'll just have to see." 

He stood there for a few seconds before telling the guards to fall out. They each took off and a beautiful carriage arrived. He opened the door for me and I climbed in. Closing the door, I heard him tell a few words before the carriage took off. I looked out the window as we rode deeper into the kingdom. It was beautiful. Each cottage had small details that set them all apart yet they looked to be extremely expensive. Once we arrived in the center of the kingdom, I could see hundreds of people gathered about. They smiled softly at one another and chatted away. I could see some kids flying around while a few were ice skating on the rink which was changed to ice by a woman who sat on the bench and watched as they played. We drove up until we were in the actual palace. I was too disappointed at myself for not actually paying attention to the palace. 

The door opened and I followed the guard into the back door. I watched as a few people inside started at me in confusion but I ignored the looks and continued to follow the guards. We kept walking until we arrived at a huge gold door. He knocked and a woman answered. He whispered something to her and she nodded before opening the door wider. He motioned me to follow him in which I did. I entered the room as a man wearing dress pants and a button down shirt stood near the window. I knew he was The King by the huge crown on his head. 

"I can feel her." He said. He turned around and laid eyes on me. I watched as his face dropped and I'm sure my face did the same. There was no denying who this man was: He was my father. 

"Hello." I greeted.