Cursing Fate

by Brenda Drake

  Wade grabbed her wrists, trying to pull her hands away. “What is it?”

  “Pain— Headache.” She fell against him and he wrapped his arms around her.

  “Can you move?” Wade didn’t know how to help her. Adrenaline rushed through him. He had to do something.

  She shook her head against his chest. “No.” There was desperation in her tone.

  “I’ll call 911.” He scanned the table for his cell phone and remembered he’d left it on the counter.

  “No. No, I’m okay.” She wiggled away from him. “It’s gone.”

  “Has this happened before?” He didn’t like this.

  “No.” She picked up her teacup, her hand shaking, and took a sip. “I was up late studying.”

  Was she hiding some illness from him? He’d never seen anyone get a sudden headache that went away as fast as it had started. It could be a brain aneurysm or something equally serious. Several years ago, his aunt had gotten one while watching her kids at a park and died on the spot. But he wouldn’t say that to Iris. He wouldn’t want to scare her.

  Wade slid out of the booth. “I should get you home so you can rest.”

  “Let me help you clean up.” She scooted to the other end of the seat and stood.

  “It’s no problem,” he said. “There’s no running water. I just have to toss it all in a container.”

  When he’d finished putting the used dishes and leftovers in the container, he made sure the propane was off and the cabin secured before walking with Iris back to his dad’s car. She avoided eye contact with him the entire drive to her house, staring out the window. The only words spoken were him asking how she was every few minutes. With each of her answers that she was fine, he sensed her annoyance.

  “I’m fine,” she would say, just staring out at the street.

  He pulled the car up to the curb. By the time he made it to the passenger side to help her out, she was already on the sidewalk.

  “You know what the problem with today’s youth is?” he asked, burying his hand in his pants pocket as he walked alongside her.

  “You sound like my dad,” she said. “I give. What’s wrong with us?”

  “Girls don’t let guys open their doors for them.”

  She gave him a sidelong glance. “You’re really into this chivalry thing, aren’t you? Have you been watching some classic romance movies lately?”

  “No. My dad used to open doors for my mom and give her his coat when she was cold.” He kicked a rock on the sidewalk, and it skipped along until it settled in the grass. “He can’t do that anymore. But I can. Maybe I’ll start a trend. Before long, you’ll have guys rushing to open doors for you.”

  “I’m not sure I could handle that.” She laughed. “I’m perfectly capable of opening my own doors.”

  “I concede,” he said. “I’ll try not to open them for you.”

  She glanced at him again. “You give up too easily. If you’re going to make a change, you can’t be chased off by some opposition.”

  “Look at you using fancy words.”

  “Yep. I read the dictionary at night,” she said.

  “Well, that would definitely put you to sleep.” He motioned for her to go up the steps before him.

  At her door, before she went inside, she turned to face him. “I had a great time. Thanks for making it so special.”

  “I hope you feel better.” He backed away. “See you at school?”

  She stood in the doorframe, what seemed to be a disappointed look on her face. “Okay.”

  He turned and bounded down the steps.

  “Stop it.” He thought he heard her say, but it was so quiet and sounded like a hiss.

  He glanced back.

  She was rubbing at her temples.

  “Did you say something?” he asked.

  “Um…no, sorry. Good night.” She ducked inside and shut the door.

  Wade sat in his dad’s van. He wasn’t sure what had just happened. Most of the night went great. They were making progress. What was up with the sudden headache? Was it real or did she fake it so she could end their date early?

  Dammit. There it was again, the insecurity, questioning if he trusted her or not. He started the ignition and drove off.

  Chapter Nine

  Iris

  Across the table from Iris, Daisy ate her Cocoa Krispies, milk dribbling from the spoon and landing on the table. She was a mini Aster with her dark auburn hair and golden eyes. Looking at her made Iris miss her oldest sister. It wouldn’t be long before Iris and Violet went off to college and Daisy would be alone. But Iris was sure Daisy would be fine. She acted thirty not fifteen, except when she was eating.

  “Maybe you could make it all into your mouth,” Iris said, taking a bite of her toast.

  Daisy shoveled another spoonful of cereal into her mouth.

  She is lacking in manners. My mother would have boxed my ears for eating in such a rush.

  Your mother? Iris asked the voice, hoping to get clues as to who this spirit, curse, voice, or whatever was when she was alive—if she were ever that. Alive. Maybe she was a demon and has always been a curse.

  You could just ask me, the voice taunted.

  Daisy dipped her spoon into her bowl. “Where’s Violet? How come she’s not taking me to school today?”

  “She had to open the shop before school for the new employee.” With their mom gone, the twins were responsible for the family’s flower shop. Iris took a sip of her orange juice. “So you’re stuck with me.”

  Daisy rolled her eyes. “I was just wondering where she was. I don’t feel stuck with you. Are you sick?”

  “No. Why?”

  “You have dark circles under your eyes and your face is paler than normal.”

  “It’s nothing. I’m just stressed.” Iris rolled her neck. The headaches had come and gone the last few days, and she kept losing track of time—small periods were black voids in her mind. Not being able to remember what she had done during her passing period between math and English yesterday concerned her.

  Iris slid two notes over to Daisy she had written several days ago when the craggy voice was sleeping. One was to Miri and the other was to Daisy with instructions. She hoped Daisy would help her and that Miri would know a way to get rid of the curse Iris was sure had inflicted her.

  What did you give her?

  “That’s your permission slip for your school trip,” Iris said, giving Daisy the look the sisters would make around others that said, Go along with me.

  Daisy stared at Iris for a few seconds before catching on. She opened the envelope with her name and read it. “Well, at least Mom didn’t forget this. It did slip her mind to give me lunch money, though.”

  “I have some you can borrow until she gets back.” Iris picked up her toast and finished the last bite, struggling to keep all thoughts off what was really in the note. “The other is a delivery for Mom. So hurry up. We’ll swing by the boardwalk before school and you can run it in.”

  “Sure.” Daisy stood and rushed off to get ready.

  Iris hopped in the shower and got dressed.

  I feel as if you are up to something. No thoughts. Your mind is a blank.

  “I’m tired.” Iris spoke to her reflection in the mirror over the bathroom sink, grabbing her toothbrush. “What happened yesterday? There’s parts of the day I can’t remember.”

  You fought with me. I warned you I would completely take over if you resisted me. You refused to give that boy his tarot card.

  “Perry?” There was a sinking feeling in Iris’s stomach. “What did you do?”

  I gave him what he deserves. All shall show itself soon.

  “What does that mean?” She dropped her toothbrush, and it clattered against the marble counter. The justice card, Iris recalled. How would he be judged? By his peers or teachers? Iris picked back up her toothbrush and scrubbed her teeth. She was so distracted that she brushed them until her gums were raw. After rinsing her mouth, she hurried down
stairs. Daisy waited by the back door for her—backpack in hand and a concerned look on her face.

  “Got everything?” she asked, picking up the Bug’s keys.

  “Of course,” Daisy said. “Why does everyone treat me like a baby?”

  “Because you will always be the baby.” Iris yanked open the door.

  The entire drive to the Ocean City boardwalk, Iris struggled to come up with small talk. “How’re your friends?”

  “You mean friend?” Daisy said, staring out the window. “Since I only have the one now that Abby told everyone that I ratted on her.”

  Abigail Massey. The bad girl of the ninth graders and Daisy’s temporary friend. Her sister was in big trouble for partying and shoplifting with that brat and her friends. Abby had stolen the deposit for the floral shop while their mom was rescuing Violet from an attempted suicide.

  Their mom almost had to close the shop because of it. All the result of Aster changing people’s fates. And why Daisy feared tarot cards and refused to be tested to see if she was a fate changer. Iris couldn’t blame Daisy for not wanting to know. The thought of having that power and the consequences that went with it was full-on scary.

  Iris parked the Bug, positioning it so that she faced away from the boardwalk. Daisy popped open the door and briskly walked away.

  She’s an interesting girl. The voice sounded tired.

  Iris strangled the stirring wheel. Stay away from her.

  I had a younger sister. She was kind and frail like Daisy.

  Just go away. If Iris could cut the woman out of her brain, she would.

  Dark clouds moved across the morning sky. Rain sprinkled the windshield, and Iris watched as the water gathered and chased down the glass plane. The clock on the dash ticked away the minutes. On the seventeenth tick, Daisy opened the door and fell onto the seat.

  “I got them,” Daisy said, passing her the bag. “The drops for your anemia. The woman at the vitamin counter said to take a dropperful immediately. And that you should never go so long without them again. And don’t take too much. It makes you sick.”

  What is this? The voice was angry. I wasn’t aware you had an illness… Ah, yes, there it is. So distraught you were when Aster changed your fate and broke the tie you had with that boy, you stopped eating. I, too, had a broken heart once.

  The woman’s thoughts blaring in Iris’s head was as annoying as being stuck on a radio station that played music you hated. Iris took the bottle out of the bag, unscrewed the top, and drank down a dropperful of the liquid inside. It tasted bitter and burned her tongue, but she hoped it would quiet the voice.

  The voice rasped on, not aware of what Iris was up to. I was desperate once. Just like you. Thought I could get my love back. Instead, I died a girl of fifteen with no love at my side. There’s no hope. You will never have your Wade. Tears stung the backs of Iris’s eyes and she wasn’t sure if it was her emotions or those of the old woman possessing her.

  I am getting tired… The voice faded out.

  Iris rubbed her temples. She almost felt sorry for the old woman. But if she had died young, why did she seem so old? Her voice sounded like a heavy smoker’s. Maybe the curse caused it.

  “Are you okay?” Daisy asked, struggling to pull out her seat belt. “We have to go. We’re going to be late for the first bell.”

  Iris turned the ignition and pressed on the gas pedal. She drove the Bug in the direction of school, passing in and out of the shadows of trees lining the street. The clouds parted and released ribbons of sunlight that glistened across the wet asphalt. “What did Miri say?”

  “She said to use the drops only twice a day, and only a dropperful.” Daisy held onto the doorframe as Iris took a quick corner. “Any more and you could poison yourself. It will suppress the spirit for a few hours at best. She’s looking for a way to get rid of it.”

  “Okay, good.” She took another corner.

  “You know, this is crazy. Are you sure you’re possessed?”

  “A hundred percent sure.” Iris glanced over at her. “I touched Aster’s tarot cards, and there was a cursed spirit it them. It went inside me and is using me for a sick game.”

  “What game?”

  “She’s trying to get even with people who I subconsciously or knowingly want revenge on.” Iris pulled to the curb in front of the school. “Get out here, so you won’t be late. I’ll go park. And don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll find a way to get rid of her.”

  “I hope so.” Daisy sounded as uncertain as Iris felt. She switched her gaze from Iris to the window. Students rushed over the sidewalks heading for the school’s entrance. The clouds darkened the sky again and the wind picked up, tossing orange, yellow, and red leaves onto the lawn below.

  “Listen,” Iris said, drawing Daisy’s attention from the window. “Don’t say anything to Violet. She’s been doing so well. I don’t want this to mess with her head, you know?”

  “Yeah, I agree.” Daisy opened the door and before getting out, she leaned over and hugged Iris. “Please be careful.”

  “I will.” Before Daisy closed the door, Iris said, “Maybe you should stay at Amber’s house until this blows over.”

  “But what about you?”

  “I’ll be fine, and I’ll feel better knowing you’re safe.”

  “Okay.” She shut the door and jogged up the sidewalk toward the entrance doors. Out of all the sisters, Iris would have to say Daisy was the prettiest, smartest, and kindest of them all. Gram was always saying that Daisy had the look of a young Audrey Hepburn with red hair and the brains of Einstein.

  Rain clapped the windshield as Iris waited until Daisy joined her friend, Amber, by the bike rack, tugging her hoodie over her head to shield her from the downpour. Whatever it took, Iris was determined to protect her sisters.

  The school hallways were buzzing with huddled groups gossiping loud enough for Iris to catch bits of their conversation.

  “Did you see that?”

  “They took Perry out in handcuffs.”

  “What did he do?”

  “He broke into the game store.”

  “Stole tons of games and a game console.”

  “I heard he shot a police officer.”

  What? Iris almost tripped herself, but she spotted Wade and Dena and pushed forward. You said no one would get hurt.

  There was no answer.

  “He didn’t shoot anyone,” Wade was saying to Dena when Iris approached them. “Man, rumors can get out of hand around here. Idiots. Don’t they have better things to talk about?”

  “Hi,” Iris said, relieved to hear Perry hadn’t killed anyone. The halls smelled of cleaner with a mix of whatever the cafeteria workers were baking for lunch. She wasn’t sure if it were the combination of scents or Perry’s fate making her stomach turn.

  “Hey,” Wade responded. “You feeling better today?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  Wade gave her a curious look. “You threw up at lunch yesterday.”

  I did? She hadn’t remembered that. It must’ve happened when the spirit had snatched her body. What else had happened? Iris wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Goose bumps rose on her arms at the thought. She rubbed them. When her gaze went back to Wade, he was watching her suspiciously.

  “It was probably something I ate,” she said. “I feel fine today.”

  “That’s good,” Wade said, his eyes still scrutinizing her.

  Dena glanced from Wade to Iris. “You two are the most awkward friends I’ve ever met. Wait. That’s because you’re not friends. You’re lovers. When are you going to accept that?”

  “We’re not awkward,” Iris muttered at the same time Wade said, “We’re not lovers.”

  Wade’s answer disappointed Iris, but it was silly for her to feel that way. They weren’t lovers. No matter how much she wanted them to be, she knew he might never get there.

  “But we’re working on it,” he said.

  Working on it? His words caused ti
ngles to ignite in her stomach. All thoughts of her sucky life vanished. There was hope. He’s working on it.

  Violet rushed up to them. “Hi guys. Are we on for after school? I have a group coming over to start on the props for the Halloween party. I’m thinking a haunted house between the garage apartment and the house. Sam at the rental place Mom uses for events is letting us borrow an old tent he has.”

  The passing bell rang.

  “I’ll be there,” Wade said. “Catch you later.” He sauntered off without Iris. Their classes were in the same hall, and he used to walk with her to hers.

  A chill rushed up her spine. Was he mad at her? Had she done something yesterday to piss him off? But she didn’t have any idea what happened, and she had a horrible feeling it was something her spirit guest had done.

  Chapter Ten

  Wade

  Stubborn strands of reddish-blond hair kept falling across Iris’s cheek as she painted a graveyard on a large wall constructed from several pieces of cardboard. The light breeze swirled the fall leaves around the carport, and the scent of paint and turpentine mingled with the briny smell of the ocean.

  She looked peacefully lost in her painting. Wade used to be her other escape. Those easy days, when they’d laugh and play for hours, were gone. He so wanted them back.

  Iris’s artwork looked lifelike, and she had a skill at making the gravestones seem three-dimensional. The gore and blood she painted on the creatures were frightening. Wade bet her paintings would freak out anyone who walked through the haunted house in the dark.

  Carys sat on the step stool next to where Wade kneeled as he constructed a coffin. She was Cuban like Wade. There weren’t many in the area, so their mothers became close friends when Wade’s family moved to Ocean City.

  Tying her dark, curly hair into a ponytail, Carys noticed him watching Iris. “How’s it going?”

  “Good.” He pounded a nail into the wood.

  She had a look on her face as if she’d been hit with his hammer.

  “What’s up?” He sat back on his heels, squinting against the sun.

  She rubbed her nose. “If you did something, and you know admitting it would ruin a friendship, would you tell that person? I mean, it would totally end a relationship. And possibly get physical.”