Chapter Eight ★ Chased

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

​

Huh. That guy has been following me for a while. I noticed he was behind us when Jacob, Calvin and I left the school. The sun was setting.

Jacob nudged me and signed, “See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” I replied and wave as he took down his street. “See ya!”

Calvin walked along side of me with his hands in his pockets. He mumbled, “Geez. What is up with that dude?”

“You noticed him, too?” I motioned my head towards our stalker. Calvin smirked and continued walking with me down the street.

He said, “Dude. Nothing gets by the Calvster.”

I laughed, “Ha! The Calvster? What kind of name is that? Sounds like some newborn calf.”

Calvin bumped into me, “S’right dude. I’ve got yer back. Y’know?”

“Yeah.” I nodded as we walked down the road. The guy still followed us. It made me glad that Calvin didn’t turn down his street. Guess having a jock for a friend isn’t so bad after all.

Our shoes crunched on the small stones that made up the gravel road. The steadied breathing between us kept the eeriness at bay. Made the what could be a scary moment just an easy evening stroll.

My hands nestled into the borrowed hoodie of Jacob’s grey and blue school alma matter. It felt nice. Glad I had friends like them. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips and grew across my face.

The cicadas were starting their evening serenade. Man, this would have been perfect if I was walking with a girlfriend instead of my buddy. Though the shadowed footstep behind us kept my senses sharp.

“Dude, what time is it?” Calvin asked out of the blue.

“Um.” I replied. Okay… so maybe my sense were dulled just a little by the evening’s spell. I took a look at my watch and my eyes bugged out. “Crap! I’m late. Dad’s gonna kill me.”

Instinct took over and I shot off towards my house. Calvin called after me, “Dude! Wait!”

I didn’t have time to wait. Behind me sounded like Calvin confronted the guy that was following us but I couldn’t stop. Not when a beat down from my father was a possibility. I was already in deep dog doo from last night’s issues.

“Sorry.” I called over my shoulder and hoped that Calvin heard me. Time to focus on pumping my energy into my limbs. The steady rhythm of my breath, arms and legs worked in unison. Only the sound of my feet hitting the unsteady gravel and my breathing graced my ears.

Come on feet, move. I cannot be late tonight. Not tonight. Dad said that it was super important that I was to be home by dinner or else.

The sound of someone running after me echoed my running stride. My heart quickened and I poured more of my energy into my legs. Is that guy related to those girls? Shoot? Is he their Dad?

Oh gawd. I don’t need this at all. Feet if you know our lives depend on it then, move, move, move!

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Seven ★ Cursed

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

​

Kill the source? Wait. He doesn’t mean… no.

Pearl must of came to the same conclusion for we both shouted, “No. He’s still just a boy.”

Ray’s narrowed eyes stared us down. His smile turned downwards and he let out a small huff. He said, “Boy or not. He is a monster that has to be shut down… now. Have your people learned nothing of the past?”

Huh? What past? What the heck is he talking about? This certainly ain’t ringing any bells in my mind at all. He continued, “Heh, seems to me that my intel is correct. Your base has been running rogue for quite a while.”

“Ray?” I said. “What are you talking about? You’re not making any sense.”

His dark eyes bore into my soul and he said, “Luna…”

Ray turned away from me and strode towards the exit. I tried to get off the bed. Dang belts holding me in place. Pearl rushed to his side and pulled on his arm.

She pleaded, “Ray. What is going on? Don’t tell me that you’ve been spying on us this whole time.”

He batted her away with one swift move and threw her a few feet back into the room. She let out a gasp and held her arm that he wretch free from himself. He frowned and said to her, “Don’t. This is of no concern of yours anymore. Tend to Luna and I will deal with the beast.”

Pearl grimaced and held her arm. She replied, “I won’t let you touch him.”

I continued to struggle against the restraints. Inside I could feel my pulse quicken and surge to awaken my powers. Yet, something else laid in wait. The sensation ripped at the stillness that was keeping my temper in check. 

Like several rocks being thrown into a still pool and too many ripples to count. The chaos pulsed then rushed throughout my being and increased the strength in my limbs. Fabric tore as I forced the restraints off of me.

The two turned their heads my way as I broke free of the dang bed. I landed with a thud on the ground in a kneeling position and one fist on the ground. My head was lowered and I growled, “Ain’t no one going to go near that boy.”

Pearl backed away. Her tight awkward stance told me that she was afraid. Of course I would be too if I had an angry shark monster ready to strike at any moment. I let out a breath and continued, “So, you’re a spy, Ray?”

He didn’t answer. I asked, “Who sent you?”

Still nothing. He shifted his weight and I looked up in time to see him try and make a break for it. I lunged forward with my mouth ready, “Oh no you don’t!”

“Luna! Don’t!” Pearl screamed.

I froze. She stood there pinned in place, wide eyes and shaky knees. Why’d I stop?

Footsteps fading away turned my head back to Ray’s direction. He was gone. I slammed my fist against the wall, “Dang it.”

Doc groaned and started to move. He was coming around. Pearl still stayed put and watched me where I stood. In the corner of my vision I saw Doc sit up and rub his head. He mumbled, “Uhn, what happened? What’s going on?”

Pearl whispered, “Doc don’t move. She’s loose.”

Docs eyes widened and he froze.

The raging waters within me were calming down. I breathed in and out to speed the process. No need to keep frightening my friends. Right now the kid who cursed me needs help. I need to get my head straight.

“It’s okay.” I replied. The two gazed back with concern written on their faces. My fist dropped to my side and I relaxed my shoulders.

Pearl edged her way over to Doc who still sat on the floor. He waved his hand at her to stop but she shook her head and moved in close to him. In a few quick seconds she had him back up on his feet dusting the dirt off of himself.

Again I said, “Guys, really. I’m fine. I’ve got this under control.”

Doc wiped his glasses on his dirty coat and placed them back on his nose. He scanned the room and noticed the pile of dust on the counter top.

He turned white. I smirked if sharks can even smirk, “Now, Doc don’t be fainting on us again. We need you.”

One lone finger pointed at the deceased paper that was once whole. He whined, “What happened to the scroll? Oh man I’m in deep turtle dung.”

“Doc.” I said then took a step closer to the two and stopped. “I need you to fix me. At least do something so I can control…“

I motioned to myself. “… this.”

He and Pearl exchanged glances. Then she answered, “Doc was working on a temporary fix.”

“Then give it to me.” I took another step towards them. “I can’t help the boy if I’m like this.”

“Boy?” Doc’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Grrr,” I growled. Pearl and Doc flinched. I didn’t care. I sliced the air in front of me and added, “He doesn’t have time. Give me the cure.”

Pearl sighed and her shoulders went limp. She turned around and moved towards the back counter but Doc grabbed her wrist. She stopped.

Doc said, “Wait. You can’t give her that. We don’t know what it will do.”

Tears brimmed in her eyes again as she yanked her arm free. She grabbed the syringe that held a purple solution inside and replied, “We don’t have time. For the boy’s sake we will do this so that we can protect him.”

Doc tried to grab the syringe away from Pearl but she dodged his advances. With one side step and twirl she was at my side in a flash. She grabbed my arm and placed the needle over my bicep and said, “This might hurt.”

I nodded, “Do it.”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – Chapter 7 :: Cursed Done – Stay tuned for Chapter 8 … –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Seven ★ Cursed

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

​

“He doesn’t know?” I pulled against the restraints on the bed.

Ray and Pearl both looked at me and shook their heads. Oh boy. If my dad doesn’t know then this is far from bad… it’s worse.

Not telling the commander of things that happen around here or even to his dear sweet daughter is like signing your own death sentence. Hoo boy. I do not want to be in their shoes.

So, how did Doc get a hold of those documents without needing to sign for them? Surely he had to sign a book or check into the secret vault to take those things. Unless he bribed someone.

Wow. If Doc bribed someone then he’s gone up in my book. That’s takes some serious balls to sneak around my dad like that and to steal sensitive documents.

“Why didn’t you tell him?” I asked. I knew the answer but I want to be sure that they knew the risks that they were taking to keep it hush-hush.

Pearl held her chin and moved to the side. Ray looked between us then asked Pearl, “Why did we not tell the commander?”

“You know how he is Luna.” Pearl replied. “You know exactly how he is in these kinds of situations.”

I leaned back into the pillow on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. “Yeah, I know what you mean. He would have everyone on this case… just because…”

Tears were brimming in her eyes when she looked back at me. She shouted, “Yes, because you’re his daughter.”

That hurt. If it were anyone else but me the commander wouldn’t give two shakes to resolve the issue. But no. It’s me. 

I’m the head honcho’s little girl and he’d do anything to make things normal again. Even if it meant doing the unthinkable to make it happen.

Boy, this sucks.

I asked in a small voice, “What did you and Doc find out? Is there a cure?”

Pearl wiped her nose with the back of her arm and let out loud sniffle. She held her head low and motioned towards the counter top covered in dust.

Her shoulders shook as she let out another sob and said, “That scroll was our only hope.”

“Non.” Ray said then step forward and sliced the air in front of him. “I refuse to believe it.”

More tears streaked down Pearl’s face as she continued to cry. Her voice wobbled, “Ray, you’ve been with us this whole time. You know that scroll was our only answer.”

“Back in the Mediterranean…” Ray said and held his hand in a fist close to his chest with his chin lowered. The moon filtered light that danced in the ocean current played across his naked chest. His dark eyes narrowed and he continued, “We broke curses a different way.”

Pearl blinked her eyes. I tried to lean in closer, dang straps, to listen to their cure. We both asked, “How?”

He let his hand drop and relaxed his shoulders. A soft rumble escaped his lips as the corners of his mouth pulled up to a taunt smile. Those dark eyes glimmered and he flashed his perfect teeth then replied, “We find and kill the source of the curse.”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Seven ★ Cursed

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

​

Heh. He fainted. In times like these you really have to just laugh otherwise you’ll get too uptight.

Pearl stood there frozen with fear and regret plastered all over her face. As for Ray? Well he continued to stay out of my sight. Not sure why I haven’t seen him and why he’s hiding from me.

I muttered to Pearl, “Smooth. Real smooth.”

Her face flushed, “Shut up.”

“You’re not the one that’s cursed.” I said. Then needled her some more, “Guess you’re gonna have to deal with the fact that your bestie has a shark face.”

“Non.” Ray replied and stepped out from the shadows. He whirled around in front so that I could see his gorgeous body highlighted in the fluorescent lights.

He stood there with his fingers held up in a cross like configuration. I raised my non-existing eyebrow and said, “I’m not a vampire.”

“You’re cursed.” He replied and kept his fingers in a cross configuration.

With a sigh I rolled my eyes then tried to get up. Oh that’s right. I’m belted to the bed. Do these guys seriously think that I’m going to go on some crazy blood frenzy and eat them?

A look about the room told me yes… yes they did believe that I would do just that. Still I struggled and wiggled to try and make the restraints a little looser.

Ray came over and pushed down on my shoulder. He remarked, “Non. You will sit still until we fix this… this… tragedy.”

“I’m not dead.” I replied. “I just happen to have a face of a shark instead.”

He faced away from me. The muscles in his jaw clenched as he pulled his hand to his chest and made a fist. There was more to the story than what they were telling me and frankly I’m tired of being left in the dark.

“Can y’all stop pussy footing around and tell me already?” I hollered.

“Shhh.” Pearl hushed me. “Quiet.”

“Why?” I asked.

She leaned in on the ashen remains of the scrolls that laid on the counter top and replied, “Because your father doesn’t know… yet.”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Seven ★ Cursed

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

​

It felt like someone died. The whole room was dead quiet and I’m pretty sure yours truly was the cause of it. It’s not like I wanted to be cursed.

“Can you fix me, Doc?” I said while staring back at my new shark face. The words emitted by the mouth with many rows of teeth was weird at best.

Doc stayed put, scratched the side of his chin and uttered his answer, “Um. It’s a little complicated.”

My non-eyebrow rose. “Complicated?”

He blanched. If he got any paler I swear that he would be the one haunting this creepy medical bay. Doc walked further back to the far counter that held stacks of papers and scrolls. Some of them looked ancient.

Slowly, he unraveled a blue scroll with brittle paper that threatened to scatter if anyone sneezed. The sweat on his brow gathered and he wiped it off with the back of his arm before it had the chance to drip onto the old writings.

“What’s that?” I asked.

He smirked though I could see he was shaking just a little. I looked over at Pearl who happened to move a few feet away from me too. Okay, yes, I’m a “shark” but it’s not like I’m going to eat my friends. Why are they moving away from me?

Doc replied, “These are ancient texts that come deep from our headquarters top secret vaults. I was hoping to see if they had anything to say about your… erm… condition.”

“You can say it Doc. Curse.” I said then added, “I don’t mind. Really.”

Pearl moved over to where Doc stood and peered over his shoulder. He looked back at her, “Careful. These are the only ones that we have… any damage…”

“Ah-choo!”

The two froze. Both of their skin had turned two shades lighter. Gosh I wonder if I could make Doc become transparent. Pearl glanced my way.

She placed her hands on her hips and said, “Very funny, Luna. But like Doc said…”

Her hand swiped over the contents and the air moved the paper enough to cause a chain reaction. Tiny bits fluttered up pulling its comrades along for the ride. Doc’s eyes widened as Pearl’s face turned to horror.

The ancient paper fell to dust right before our very eyes.

“Ack!” Was all that Doc could utter then fainted.

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙