This Changes Everything

by Swank, Denise Grover

  She started to stand, but the warmth around her increased, enveloping her in a blanket of security. “No, Ellie. Not yet.”

  The man downstairs laughed, but it sounded mean and ugly. “Where’s your daughter? What’s her name? Ellie?”

  Ellie’s chest froze, refusing to suck in air as terror coursed through her blood, making her light-headed.

  “You know her name?” her mother wheezed out.

  The man chuckled. “I know all kinds of things about you, Amanda.”

  “Ellie’s not here.”

  Rain pelted the windows so loudly it sounded like someone was throwing rocks.

  “Then where is she?” the man asked.

  “She’s spending the night at a friend’s house.” Her mother’s voice sounded stronger than before.

  “On a school night? I don’t think so,” he growled. Then he shouted, “Ellie! Where are you? Come out and play.”

  Ellie’s body trembled with fear, and she gritted her teeth to keep them from rattling.

  “Don’t listen to him, Ellie,” the nice man said in her ear. “He wants to hurt you.”

  A river of tears streaked down Ellie’s face, and she struggled to keep from sobbing. “I have to help Momma,” she forced out between hiccuped breaths.

  “No,” the voice said. “Stay here with me.”

  “Ellie!” the man downstairs shouted. “If you don’t come down, I’m going to hurt your mommy with this very sharp knife.”

  Ellie covered her face with her bunny as she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

  “Show her what happens to people who don’t cooperate,” the bad man said. “Go find her.”

  Ellie thought he was talking to her mother until another man said, “Okay.”

  There were two men.

  “No, please.” Her mother’s voice was raspy and full of tears. “She’s not here.”

  “Hide!” the voice next to Ellie’s ear insisted. “Now!”

  Ellie stood, torn between her fear of getting hurt and her desire to help her mother. She’d promised Daddy she would. The bad man was going to hurt Mommy if she didn’t go downstairs.

  “Ellie, I want to protect you,” the bodiless voice said, still nice but louder. “But you need to hide. Now!”

  Her fear won out and she scrambled to turn around, running down the hall, making sure to miss the squeaking boards. She rushed into her room, threw open her closet door, and burrowed behind a pile of stuffed animals, her back to the wall. Sobs shook her shoulders, but she covered her mouth with her hand to keep from making any noise.

  “Good,” the voice whispered, soothing her frayed nerves. “Good girl.”

  Footsteps landed upstairs, going into the bedrooms at the front of the hall.

  “Stop! Please,” her mother begged. “I’ll tell you!” She was upstairs now, in the hallway. Ellie only had to run out through the bedroom door to get to her.

  “I thought Ellie wasn’t home, Amanda,” the mean man said in his fake-friendly voice. “Did you lie to me?”

  Ellie’s mother said something, but her crying made it incoherent.

  “Keep checking,” he growled.

  The light from the hall spilled through the partially opened bedroom door, and her mother’s sobs echoed in the hall.

  “Momma,” Ellie wailed softly, trying to get up.

  The warm presence held her firmly against the closet wall. “No.”

  “What is it that you want to tell me, Amanda?” the bad man laughed. “Because I’m most interested in the ring. Maybe Ellie can fill me in.”

  “She doesn’t know anything.” Her mother sounded panicked and her words came out in bursts. “I swear. Please. Just leave her out of this.”

  A long shadow moved on the wall in the hallway, visible through the open door.

  Ellie pressed harder against the closet wall, her upright knees banging together as she shook. They were coming for her.

  The tall shadow faltered as another shorter one rushed toward it. Her mother cried out, “No! Don’t hurt her!” The two shadows blended into a shaky blob before she heard a man cry out in pain. The tall shadow separated from the shorter one and a loud piercing scream filled Ellie’s ears.

  She scrunched her eyes shut as she released a helpless sob. “Momma.”

  “Ellie!” Her mother’s voice sent a flood of terror down her back.

  Momma needed her. Her heart pounding against her chest, a deep fury erupted and Ellie fought against the force that held her tight, crying in frustration. “Let me go! Let me go!”

  The taller shadow jumped the shorter one, grunting and releasing a growl. It lifted its arm and swung toward the smaller shadow, over and over, as Ellie’s mother screamed.

  “What are you doing?” the bad man shouted, sounding furious. “Stop!”

  Ellie kicked and tried to scream, but it lodged in her throat as the smaller shadow fell to the floor with a loud thump.

  Momma.

  A fresh burst of anger rushed through her and she pushed against the bond holding her in place, but the warmth held her still and the voice murmured softly, “Not yet, Ellie.”

  She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Her breaths came in quick pants as she rested the back of her head against the wall, waiting for the voice to let her go.

  “Keep looking.” The bad man didn’t sound happy. A new shadow on the wall squatted next to the smaller one. “Where’s the ring, Amanda?”

  Ellie heard a wheezing-coughing sound.

  The bad man swore a string of bad words, then the shadow rose. “Why can’t you keep your goddamned temper in check just one fucking time? She’s useless now! Damn it!” Ellie heard a banging noise and the wall shook. “I’m searching downstairs. You look up here and bring the brat down when you find her.” His feet clomped on the stairs as he left.

  Momma.

  The only shadow left was the one close to the floor, and it began to crawl in a slow, jerky movement toward Ellie’s room. Her anger dissolved into pure panic. A monster was coming to get her.

  Her eyes were riveted on the floor, so the sudden movement in her doorway startled her. Her breath sucked in as her gaze rose to the dark figure filling the doorframe, his head covered with a hood. His right hand gripped a large knife, the metal gleaming in the flashing lightning outside her window. The wind gusted, knocking a tree branch into the glass with a loud, repetitive thump.

  He jiggled the blade in his hand as he slowly entered her room. Ellie’s chest constricted, her lungs burning as he walked around her bed and squatted to look underneath.

  Wide-eyed, she forced her body to remain still, afraid he might see or hear her. He stood and moved back toward the bedroom door. Abruptly, he stopped and pivoted on his feet until he faced the closet door, hunching down in a slow movement. His stubble-covered chin lowered and the hood on his forehead rose, exposing his dark, glaring eyes that focused on hers. His right hand rested on his knee, blood dripping from the knife into a pool on the wood floor.

  A scream bubbled in Ellie’s throat as he reached for her with his free hand, but a bright white light filled the room, partially blinding her. The hooded man lifted his arm to shield his face.

  “I claim her as my own, Curse Keeper. You will not harm her.” Although the voice coming from the light was the same one that had comforted her, now it sounded angry.

  The man bolted upright, his hand shaking as he held out the knife. “What is this? Who are you?”

  “You know who I am,” the voice boomed, shaking the floor beneath Ellie’s bottom. “I know the foolish quest you seek. But where you fail, another will succeed.”

  “You have no idea what I want,” the man snarled, holding out the blade.

  “Do not think me stupid, son of the land. You wish to break the curse. You are not the first, nor will you be the last.”

  The hooded man turned to Ellie, lifting his blade over his shoulder as though ready to strike.

  Ellie screamed.

>   “If you harm a hair on her head, I will kill you and your sons.”

  The man froze, his knife poised to strike.

  The white light pulsed. “Look at her, Curse Keeper. She is an innocent child, not much younger than your eldest son. I know it was your original plan, but can you really kill her?”

  The knife still loomed over Ellie and she pressed her back into the wall, sobbing.

  “You attacked her mother when she tried to stop you. You hurt her out of reflex. But to kill this girl will be in cold blood. Can you look into her eyes and do it?”

  The man glanced toward the open door, his arm still raised.

  The white light expanded and contracted. “You and the child are the only ones who can hear me. Your friend will not come to help you. No one will.”

  The man crouched again, lowering his arm as he searched Ellie’s face. Blood dripped from his bloody hand, and Ellie realized the drops were from his own wound. The hood lowered over his brow and shadows covered most of his face. Hatred filled his eyes, and his mouth pressed into an angry line.

  The light shined brighter. “You are mistaken if you think that I will let you hurt her. I need her for another purpose.” The orb moved closer to the man. “The curse will be broken, but not today. It will happen when I deem it so.”

  The man’s grip on the knife tightened and he shifted his weight. “I’m sick and tired of being at the mercy of the curse. I want this to end. Tonight.”

  “It began with my will and will end when I wish it.”

  The man’s face contorted with rage.

  “I do not condone you forcing my hand, Curse Keeper, and you will pay for this transgression, just like the others before you.” The light glowed bright white. “This girl changes everything. If only you had shown patience and restraint, you would have seen this. You will get what you want, but not during your tenure. At a time of my choosing, I will find your son and help him break the curse, only because it serves my purpose.” The voice lowered and the glow pulsed. “But because of your treachery, he will rue the day I sought him out, and he will curse you for the sacrifices he must make as penance for your betrayal.

  The hooded man rose to his feet. “With the help of Okeus, my son will defeat you, Ahone.” Pride and anger drenched his words.

  “He will try, and he will fail. The girl will be his downfall.”

  “No!” A guttural sound rumbled from the man and he lifted the knife, lunging for Ellie.

  She screamed and the orb exploded, filling the room with a light brighter than Ellie had ever seen. The blast of light sent the man flying out the door and into a crumpled heap in the hall. His head rose and his face twisted with fear.

  “I have let you live out of my infinite mercy, Curse Keeper, but my patience has worn thin.” The light’s voice boomed, shaking the walls.

  “Dailey! Where the fuck are you?” the bad man downstairs shouted. “Did you find her?”

  The man’s hood had slipped from his head, puddling on his shoulders and leaving his dark, wavy hair a ruffled mess. A dazed look filled his eyes, and his gaze landed on Ellie.

  “Dailey!”

  The light pulsed. “Go!”

  The man slowly got up off the floor. “No,” he answered, then paused before speaking louder. “The bitch was right. She’s not here. Let’s get out of here.” His footsteps hurried down the hall and to the bottom steps.

  The ball of light folded in on itself until it became a soft, glowing orb about the size of a baseball floating in front of Ellie’s face. It blocked her path, moving with her as she tried to get around it. She cried out in frustration.

  “Not yet,” the light said, his voice becoming gentle again.

  The nice voice had turned mean, but he’d done it to save her, right? Didn’t that make him good? “What are you?” Ellie whispered between hiccuped breaths.

  “Not what, but who. And you will find out soon enough.”

  Ellie looked out the door, expecting the man to come back and kill her, but all she saw was the shadow close to the floor. It jerked, then stopped moving. She screamed, releasing a fresh round of sobs.

  “Ellie?” her mother’s soft cry came from the hall. “Ellie, are you okay? Momma’s here.”

  “Momma!” Ellie screamed until she was hoarse, fighting against the force still holding her in place. “Momma!” she wailed, becoming light-headed from her hysteria.

  “Ellie.” Her mother’s voice was faint.

  The light bounced in front of Ellie for several seconds before fading until it was barely visible, then moving to the side.

  Ellie burst from the closet, pushing off the floor with the fingertips of one hand while she clutched Bunny with the other. Blinded by her tears, she tripped on her nightgown and fell to her knees in the puddle of blood in front of her closet, releasing another high-pitched scream.

  “Ellie!” her mother’s faint voice called, terrified.

  “Momma!” Ellie called out, finally getting to her feet and running out the door. But she stopped in the doorway at the sight of her mother.

  Momma lay on her side, her body sideways across the floor. The front of her shirt was soaked in blood. “Mommaaaaa!” The word gushed out in a wail of grief and fright as she took in the large puddle of blood covering the floor.

  Her mother’s head shifted to the side and she rolled on her back as her eyes found her daughter’s. “Ellie, call 911.”

  Ellie froze in panic, unable to move or even breathe.

  “Ellie, it’s okay.” Her mother used her soft voice, the one that made Ellie believe everything would be all right. Her eyes sank closed and she released a gurgled breath before opening her eyes with a sad smile. “Come here and sit with me.” Her hand lifted off the floor and her fingers curled inward.

  Ellie’s chest released and she sucked in a breath before falling to her knees and inching forward, terrified. Her gaze shifted from her mother’s pale face to the pool of blood that still spread out across the floorboards, filling the cracks and spreading outward. Her stomach revolted and she felt like she was going to throw up.

  “Ellie.”

  The briskness in her mother’s voice startled her and her gaze lifted, her chin quivering.

  A soft smile lifted Momma’s mouth as tears rolled out of her eyes and down her face. “That’s my girl. Look at my face. Don’t look down, baby.”

  Ellie moved closer until she was next to her mother, sitting on her bottom. The fold of her nightgown skimmed the edge of the thick red puddle. The cotton fabric absorbed the liquid, seeping up to her legs.

  Momma reached out a hand toward Ellie’s, making three attempts to grab hold. “My dear, sweet, Ellie.” Her chin quivered and her voice broke.

  “Momma.” Ellie started to sob again.

  “I love you, Ellie.” Her mother stared into her face, her eyes soft and adoring. “I’ve loved you since the moment I knew you were in my tummy. I almost lost you then, you know.” She paused and took a breath, wincing in pain. “Elinor Dare Lancaster—you’re a fighter and don’t you ever forget it.” She coughed, and blood oozed from the corner of her lip.

  The blood trailing down the side of her face filled Ellie with panic. She dropped Bunny and grabbed her mother’s other hand. “Momma, I’m scared.”

  “I’m sorry, Ellie. I’m so sorry.” Her mother choked on a sob, her face wet with tears. “You have to be strong for your daddy. No matter what happens, know that he loves you.”

  Ellie nodded, unsure what else to do.

  “Someday you’ll fall in love. Find a man like your father, who loves you fiercely.” Her voice softened and Ellie strained to hear. “Don’t go for the flashy men, Ellie. They’ll only break your heart. My friends thought your daddy was boring, but he gave me a life full of so much love . . .” Her voice broke and fear filled her eyes. “There’s so much to tell you and not enough time.”

  “Momma, please,” Ellie cried. “Pleasssse . . .”

  “Oh, Ellie,” she whispered, s
ounding devastated. “I wanted to protect you from the ugliness of the world, and I brought it to your front door.” Her eyes fluttered and her grip on Ellie’s hand loosened.

  Ellie watched her chest, waiting for Momma to take a breath and when it didn’t come, Ellie grabbed her shoulders and shook. “Momma! Please, Momma! Don’t leave me all alone. Mommaaaaa!” she screamed, shaking her mother and getting no response. She collapsed on her mother’s bloody chest, the smell of copper filling her nose as cries racked her body, ignoring the warm, sticky liquid covering her cheek and clothes.

  Daddy had told her to protect Momma and she had let him down. What would he think of her now?

  She sobbed on her mother so long that she felt the warmth of the body beneath her begin to seep away. Opening her eyes, she saw the shadowy figure of an older man with white hair and a white beard floating over the staircase. She should have been frightened, but somehow she knew he belonged to the voice that had helped her.

  “Ellie, you are strong and brave. When it is your time, you will make an excellent Curse Keeper.”

  She lifted her head in an exhaustion so deep she thought she would drown in it. “You said the man who killed Momma was a Keeper. I don’t want to be a Keeper anymore.”

  “Elinor, you are destined to be a Keeper. It was foretold from the beginning of time. You are more special than any Keeper before you. I’ve been waiting centuries for you to arrive. The forces of nature have finally heard my plea and sent you so that I may finish the job I began with your ancestor, Ananias Dare. Tonight begins a chain of events that brings us to the end.”

  “I want my momma,” Ellie wailed in anguish.

  “Daughter of the sea and witness to creation, your first sacrifice has been made.” His light faded slightly, and he sounded sad.

  “It will be the first of many.”

  Ellie was too tired and in too much misery to care what he was saying. Luckily, the man seemed to have a similar idea in mind.

  “Tonight the unraveling of the curse begins. But I will take all memories associated with the curse from you, so that the events of tonight will be locked deep in your mind. I need you to be willing to accept your role when the time comes.” The image moved closer and his voice softened. “But you will also lose all other memories of the curse. They’ve already begun to slip away. You will believe it is because you told Claire, and you will be filled with a heavy burden of guilt. I’m sorry, but it is the best way.”