Chapter XX:

The winter feast helped as a cover for my thoughts. The captain’s house had quite a few people inside. His new wife greeted David and I at the door.

“NAME, David,” she said. She hugged and kissed our cheeks. It felt awkward to be touched. David asked how she was doing. I just smiled and nodded along. All I would have to do is pretend to be enjoying myself. That should be easy. Meanwhile, I would think about how I would try to rid myself of the curse once and for all.

They all looked so happy. It reminded me of the last Christmas I spent with my family. Their faces and names faded from my memory but I still remembered their deaths. The flames destroyed my house.

I closed my eyes and tried not to think about that. Someone tapped me on my shoulder. I turned around. The captain’s wife held a tray of ale in her freed hand.

“Are you feeling okay?” she asked. She had a worried look on her face.

“Uh… yeah, yeah,” I was quick to say. “I’m just a little bit hot.” The captain’s wife looked at my side.

“Then don’t stand by the fireplace,” she said. I looked down at my side as well. She was right. When did I end up standing near the fireplace?

“Oh,” I said. I took a step back from the flames. Good things my clothes didn’t catch on fire. I think there were people staring at me. But I pushed it away before turning back to the Captain’s wife.

“Can I have an ale?” I asked.

“Sure,” she said. The older woman handed me a glass. I drank it down fast. The taste hit me in the face, causing me to cough. The Captain’s wife gave me a strange look.

“Not used to ale?” she asked. I shook my head.

“Virginia!” I heard the Captain shout.

“Coming, dear!” she shouted. I watched as Virginia turned and walked away. She made it over to her husband. I took a breath. Now, I could focus. As I watched everyone socialize around me, I remembered the words of that old man.

“You let evil in. They will follow you around until they have your soul.”

What did that mean? When did that happen? I don’t remember ever letting any evil in. I did go to church on Sundays with my parents. It wasn’t all the time but I still went. My family and I weren’t fully religious. Other than that, I do not know. I couldn’t think with all the music and laughing. But I forced myself to stay in the corner of the main room. There couldn’t be that many people there but it would do.

I drew in a deep breath.

Come on, get it together. Focus. You have to get rid of those three haunting you. Think. I needed another drink.

I looked around for the drink table or one of the other girls handing out glasses. As I walked, I started thinking again. Maybe I could go into the town and go to the church. The minister could help me out. It wouldn’t be much but it was better than nothing, right? If I had let in some evil, maybe the minister could drive it back out. I made it over to the small table of drinks. There was one more mug of ale left. Relief washed over my body. There was still hope for me yet. I just needed to get over to the table and pick up that mug.

I shoved my hands into my pockets and began walking over to the table. I had to push my way through the crowd. Someone started to music on a violin. The notes made my head swim. My eyes stayed on that mug. I could picture that cool bitter ale going down my throat. I didn’t like ale but it was something. The distance to the table looked so much longer. I was surprised when I made. Good, no one took it from me. I reached for that beautiful mug.

But then, a dainty hand reached for it as well.

I whipped my head around. And there was the biggest distraction that would lead me to my further downfall. I just had to look into her eyes. Those damned eyes of hers. From there, I was ruined.