Eternal Curse: (The Cursed Series, Book 1)

by Kara Leigh Miller

  ETERNAL CURSE

  The Cursed Series, Book 1

  by Kara Leigh Miller

  ETERNAL CURSE (The Cursed Series, Book 1) by KARA LEIGH MILLER

  FIRECHICKEN PRESS, LLC

  213 South Dwight Street

  Jackson, MI 49203

  This book is a work of fiction. All characters, places, names, and events are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any likeness to any events, locations, or persons, alive or otherwise, is entirely coincidental.

  Eternal Curse copyright © 2020 Kara Leigh Miller

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form. For inquiries and information, address FireChicken Press, LLC., 213 South Dwight Street, Jackson, MI 49203. www.firechickenpress.weebly.com

  First Edition ebook September 2020

  Edited by Rosie Somers

  Book Design by Laura Heritage

  Cover Design by Laura Heritage

  For all my fellow Twihards

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  PREVIEW

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CHAPTER ONE:

  Welcome to Keene Valley

  March 2017…

  AM I A MURDERER?

  That question had haunted me for the past two weeks. Since the day I killed my mother. It was as simple as signing my name. And now I was signing my life away, too. Moving to a new town to live with people I didn’t know. Fitting punishment for my crime.

  “You haven’t said a word in over an hour.” Aunt Beth glanced at me and frowned.

  What was there to say? The drive from the airport to Keene Valley wasn’t horribly long, but it was boring, and it wasn’t until we reached the town limits that anything even remotely piqued my interest—a waterfall carved through the center of a mountain.

  Sitting straighter in my seat, I pressed my cheek to the car window. The glass was as cool and refreshing as I imagined the rushing water would be. Movement caught my eye, and I squinted. Were people climbing that mountain? What if they fell? Did they not realize how fragile and precious life was?

  I slumped in my seat and cradled my mother’s urn closer to my chest. I missed her so much it caused a constant physical ache. But I refused to believe she was gone, that I would never see her again, never talk to her, never hear her laugh.

  I discreetly wiped the tears from my face. The steady hum of the car’s air conditioning filled the void left by the lack of conversation.

  “We’re here, Chloe,” Aunt Beth said in a cheery tone so obviously for my benefit.

  The colorful Keene Valley sign came into view, and a sense of dread settled over me. We’d never once visited this town, despite the fact that we had family here. My mother hadn’t ever explained why, and a small part of me felt guilty for dragging her ashes along. But they were all I had left, and selfishly, they were my only source of comfort.

  “Abby is excited for your arrival.” Aunt Beth pulled into the driveway and shut off the car.

  I gave a quick, noncommittal nod, opened the car door, and stepped out. Aunt Beth lived in a two-story, Victorian house with pristine siding and powder blue shutters. The wraparound porch even had one of those quaint wooden swings. It was nothing at all like the small, attached townhouse I lived in with Mom.

  “Chloe!” The front door slammed open, and a tall, wild-haired girl bounded down the porch steps, barreling straight toward me. “You’re finally here!”

  I hugged the urn to my chest, afraid she’d knock it out of my hands when she threw her arms around me. But I stood perfectly still as she squeezed me.

  “All right, easy, Abby. I know you’re happy to see her but give the poor girl room to breathe.” Aunt Beth shooed Abby away from me.

  With a bit of distance between us, I sighed with relief. Why on earth was she so excited? We had literally met only once before.

  “Hi, Abby,” I said.

  Aunt Beth draped her arm around my shoulders and led me toward the house. Uncle Dean stood on the porch, arms crossed. His bushy eyebrows were pulled together in a tight crease. He was more imposing than I remembered. Then again, I would be, too, if my sister’s murderer was moving in.

  Stabbing guilt forced the air from my lungs as I followed Aunt Beth and Abby into the house, which was much bigger than it looked from the outside. The ceilings must have been ten feet high. And everything was white.

  The smell of beef stew hung in the air, and I scrunched up my nose. I hated stew. Not that I was going to say so. These people had opened their home to me, and I wasn’t going to be rude. I’d have to force myself to choke it down. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too bad.

  Abby was by my side, smiling like my arrival was the greatest thing ever. I was positive nothing exciting had happened—or ever would happen—in this town.

  “C’mon, I’ll show you around.” Abby grabbed my arm and steered me upstairs to her room where pink camo covered everything.

  I nearly gagged.

  She led me down the hall and flung open a door. “Here’s your room.”

  I stepped forward, relieved the walls were a simple cream color. It was rather barren, with standard issue closet, bed, dresser, and such. It wasn’t anything like my room back home, but it would do.

  “Well? What do you think?” Abby bounced over to my bed and flopped down.

  “It’s nice.” I walked over to the only window and pulled back the soft blue curtain. Trees and mountains as far as the eye could see, yet it emanated loneliness. Perfect.

  “Yay!” She clapped.

  Moments later, Uncle Dean fumbled in with my luggage. Everything I owned was crammed into the four, black suitcases—clothes, shoes, photos, and some wall decorations. The rest had been sold. I probably didn’t have to sell all my stuff, but I needed to do something to contribute.

  It was my fault she was dead.

  “Whelp, there ya go.” Uncle Dean rocked on his heels, his 6’4” frame filling the room. His black hair curled around his ears, and his too-large glasses covered half his face.

  Part of me wanted to throw my arms around him and apologize for what had happened, but he didn’t seem like the hugging type. He didn’t scare me, though. Probably because Mom had told me stories about how caring and gentle he was growing up, which made being here slightly easier. Still, I wished I’d gotten to know them better, but Mom always said we didn’t have the money to visit
, and Uncle Dean was not a fan of the Florida heat.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  Several long seconds of awkward silence ensued before Uncle Dean turned and left. I set Mom’s urn on top of the dresser, pushing it back against the wall, my hand lingering on the urn.

  “Okay, you get settled.” Abby surveyed my empty room. “Maybe Mom will take us into town later, so you can get some paint for the walls or some posters or something.”

  I closed my eyes against the rush of emotion that threatened to choke me. She said Mom like Aunt Beth was my mom, too.

  I took a deep, shaky breath. “Uh, yeah. I’m kinda tired though. I’ll probably go to bed early.”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  Finally, Abby left me on my own. I didn’t know if I could take much more of her bubbly personality. I’d been here less than an hour, and I hated it already.

  I wandered toward the window and stared out at endless trees. If I ran straight through those woods, would I be attacked by an animal or die from exposure before I made it anywhere? Only in death would I see Mom again. In Heaven or wherever we went when we left this world.

  I yanked the curtain closed. Without much else to do, I hefted my largest suitcase onto the bed and unzipped it. It took me all of an hour to unpack and put away my life’s belongings.

  “Chloe?” Abby stuck her head into my room. “Got a sec?”

  “Yeah. What’s up?”

  She stepped inside and quietly closed the door. “So, I know you’re dealing with a lot right now.” She glanced away as if that would somehow lessen the impact of her words. “And we have school tomorrow.”

  I cringed. Starting a new school with a bunch of people I didn’t know—another check mark in the punishment column.

  “I promise I won’t leave your side tomorrow, okay?” Abby moved farther into my room and sat in the desk chair.

  “Okay.” I sat on my bed and hugged my pillow.

  “Everyone is so nice. You’re going to fit in really well, so don’t be nervous,” she said.

  If only it were that simple. But I nodded anyway, knowing she wouldn’t fully understand no matter how I tried to explain it.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  “I’m so glad you’re here, Chloe. I’ve always wanted a sister!” She jumped from the chair and bolted across the room.

  As she threw her arms around me, she knocked me back against the headboard. I returned her hug, trying to soak in some of her enthusiasm. Maybe being here wouldn’t be as awful as I expected.

  She released me. “I leave around seven-fifteen for school, but we can leave earlier so I can show you around.”

  And just like that, whatever momentary joy I’d felt was gone. Aunt Beth had mentioned she’d already registered me, so all I had to do was stop in the office to get my schedule.

  Abby left my room with a wave.

  Not knowing what else to do, I wandered around the room until I found myself at the window again, staring out at the woods. The moon was almost full and high in the sky, allowing me a peek at the night’s secrets.

  In the distance, a moose stood between two large trees, peacefully nibbling away, until it stopped and lifted its head. I shifted on my feet, pressing closer to the window for a better look. The moose turned its head. Then a blurred shadow hurtled in front of the animal and vanished.

  I jerked back from the window. The moose was gone. I squinted into the dark woods, searching, but there was no sign of it. I knew they could move fast, but not that fast. Goose bumps erupted on my arms, and I drew the curtains closed.

  No matter how they dressed it up, this town was never going to be home.

  CHAPTER TWO:

  New Girl

  MY STOMACH KNOTTED AS I RUMMAGED through the dresser for a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, hoping for a casual look that wouldn’t make me stand out. Not that it mattered what I wore—nothing I could do would make people not notice me. I was the new girl in a town you’d miss if you blinked. Maybe if I rushed through the day, time would move faster.

  I hesitated at the door, my gaze lingering on my mother’s urn. I wanted nothing more than to carry her with me today, but that would be like carrying around a neon sign that read: Look at me! I’m a freak! No, thanks. Taking a deep breath, I kissed my fingertips and then pressed them gently to the urn before leaving my room.

  Aunt Beth stood in the kitchen, humming a tune I couldn’t name. “Good morning, Chloe.” She beamed a blinding smile my way. “Are you ready for today?”

  I shrugged. “As ready as I can be, I guess.”

  Abby sat at the table. She was dressed similarly to me. Her frizzy red hair was piled in a messy bun atop her head, and her face was free of makeup. Starting a new school would be easier when I already knew someone. Well, sort of knew someone. Even though Abby and I were cousins, we’d only actually met once—before I became an orphaned charity case that needed a place to live.

  After a mostly silent breakfast of cereal, Abby and I left. We climbed into her 1994 Toyota Camry. The car was older than both of us, but the interior was spotless.

  “When we get there, I’ll drop you off at the front entrance. I have to park around back, but I’ll meet you inside and show you around,” Abby said. “And I’ll introduce you to Rachel; she’s my best friend. You two will get along great, and then the three of us can be besties.”

  “Thanks.”

  I had no idea where the high school was, but it couldn’t be too far away—the town wasn’t that big. The entire drive—which took less than five minutes—was made without a word spoken between us.

  She cranked up the radio, though, and the moody lyrics of Twenty One Pilots filled the car. I had to give her props for her taste in music. Her loud, off-key singing… not so much. I preferred music over talking anyway. With Mom gone, my one safe place was my mind. There, no one could ask me ridiculous questions that would make me feel bad.

  Abby pulled in past the Keene Central School sign, and I stared at the monstrous building.

  “You can go in through that door.” She pointed at the only visible entrance. “The office is right inside. You can’t miss it.”

  “You sure? This place is huge.” I laughed in a pathetic attempt to hide my nerves.

  “It’s a K through twelve school.”

  My eyes widened. “Seriously?”

  She nodded. “Don’t worry. It’s not as scary as it looks.”

  “Thanks.” I grabbed the handle and shoved the passenger door open. Adjusting my backpack, I headed inside.

  The hallway was freezing, as if someone had cranked up the air conditioning and couldn’t figure out how to turn it down. Shivering, I hugged myself, then ducked inside the main office. The door closed loudly behind me.

  “May I help you?” A woman in her late fifties looked at me through thick glasses.

  “I’m Chloe Madison.” I shifted on my feet.

  She studied me through narrowed eyes. Then, as if an invisible light bulb had gone on over her head, she smiled. “Yes, you’re staying with the Benson family, right?”

  “Yes.” I glanced around the small, crowded office.

  Being in confined spaces, especially with people I didn’t know, was a nasty, unexpected result of spending too much time in the hospital with my mom. Small room congested with the traffic of doctors and nurses… I forced in a lungful of air.

  And then I heard the same sound that haunted my dreams—a long, drawn out, high-pitched beeeep. My heart lodged in my throat, and I backed up several steps, as if that would somehow make the noise stop. I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing I was literally anywhere else.

  “Don’t let that stupid old fax machine frighten you.” She chuckled.

  I exhaled slowly, my nerves still frayed.

  “Welcome to Keene Central School. I’m Ms. Fitcher.” She grabbed a folder from the top of the filing cabinet behind her. My name was scrawled across the front in black ink. She flipped it open and ruffled through the pages until she came to my schedule,
which she pulled out and handed to me. “These are your classes. Mrs. Benson helped pick them based on your transcripts from your previous school.”

  I took the paper. “Thanks.” I gave it a quick glance—Algebra, Study Hall, PE, Lunch, World History, English Composition, and Chemistry.

  “Your locker assignment and combination are right there.” Ms. Fitcher pointed to the bottom of the page.

  “Thanks,” I repeated before leaving the office.

  Abby stood in the hallway, waiting. She plucked the paper from my hand. “Come on, I’ll show you to your locker.” She took off ahead of me.

  I was grateful for Abby’s presence as she helped me find my locker because I never would’ve found it on my own. In fact, it would be a small miracle if I remembered my way back here.

  “I need to run to my locker, too,” she said. “Wait here for me, and we’ll go to Algebra together.”

  “Hey, Abby.” I clutched her arm. “I just wanted to say thanks for all your help and… everything.”

  “You’re family, Chloe, and family always comes first.” With an understanding smile, she left.

  I turned back to my locker and tested the combination. It opened on the first try, and I swung the door harder than necessary. It banged against the locker next to it. The loud crash of metal on metal made me jump.

  The seconds ticked by. I had no idea where Abby’s locker was or how long it would take her to get back, but I was not going to stand here any longer. I grabbed for the door, but instead of getting a handful of metal, my fingers slammed into flesh. Every single knuckle in my hand cracked. Pain shot up my arm.

  “Ow,” I cried softly, cradling my hand to my chest.

  “Did you just punch me?” A deep, rich voice cut through the air.

  “I’m so sorry.” I refused to look anywhere but at my locker, not wanting to see everyone staring at the new girl. “I didn’t mean… it was an accident. I’m sorry.” I shook the pain from my hand and winced.

  He slowly pushed my locker door closed. “Are you okay?”

  I forced myself to look at him. He had to be pushing six feet tall, and I tilted my head to see his face. Mesmerizing, crystal-clear blue eyes. High cheekbones and dark hair. A strong jaw accented his full lips—lips that were currently curved into a teasing smile, showcasing his bright white teeth.