I didn't just hate the taste of bread but also the texture. No matter how sweet or bitter it was, I would avoid it like the plague. It felt weirdly soft, like a wet sponge or soggy food scraps. Gross. I stared at this pitiful sandwich while sitting in an empty cafeteria. Cherry wooden tables and chairs line up the vast room for hungry children to sit. On my right, the walls were covered with red brick, which was a nice change from the dull color walls of the hallways, and on the opposite side, large windows showed an outdoor area for students to eat near a sports field. Anyone could go out there if they wanted to. Who was going to stop them?

I hated to admit it, but the sandwich looked delicious. The ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomato were neatly packed between the white slices of disgusting bread. It was perfect, as if it belonged in an art exhibit. I would never expect something doughy and spongey to look this amazing. I almost felt bad that I had to destroy it.

Mariel watched me with anticipation as I gazed at my lunch. I couldn't read Mariel's emotions without her speaking, but I guess she wanted my opinion on it. I hadn't touched the sandwich. How long had I stared at it? It felt like hours, and the silence was drumming out my concentration.

The pull was fainter than before. It probably only happened if Mariel had a strong emotion, like when I got that book for her. Maybe? The taste of stale bread from her was oddly sweet. I shouldn't be near that pull. I was happy and afraid when I felt that warm tug of hers, and I knew if those two emotions were together, something terrible would happen, but like an idiot, I was alone with her.

I wasn't even hungry. Would it be too rude to leave? I poked the sandwich as if it was a dead animal. I didn't know why I did. Perhaps I wanted an excuse not to eat it, hoping it would grow wings and fly away. Something. Anything for me not to eat it.

I took a long, deep breath. Now or never. I removed the bread, picked it up like dirty socks, and ate the lettuce. It was fresh, not that I was that surprised. I was kind of upset that I ruined the sandwich. Next, I separated the tomato and placed it on the plastic wrapper. Then, I ripped the ham and cheese apart and scattered them on the tomato, turning it into a delicious salad. It would have been better with the lettuce, but I wasn't thinking about making it into a salad when I shoved it into my mouth. 

"Is something wrong?" Mariel asked, squinting her dark eyes at me. 

Her voice had a hint of sweetness, too sweet for my liking. I swallowed hard.

"No, everything is fine. I don't like bread that much," I replied with a nervous smile.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We do have other options, but they cost money."

"It's fine," I put the remainder of the food in my backpack, "I'll eat it later."

I got up from my chair. The wooden seat creaked as it scraped the hard tile floor, causing me to wince a little. I pushed the chair back into the table and turned to the hallway leading out of the cafeteria. My black shoes clicked as I raced out of the room. 

I waited for Mariel to catch up, even though I desperately wanted to escape her. I was playing a dangerous game. But does it matter if I was going to lose either way? I won't be a jerk to her and leave her behind. Mariel might tell people how rude I was if I do that. I didn't care about making friends. But I wanted people around me, someone to talk to when I get lonely.

"Where is your next class?" Mariel asked behind me.

"I can find it on my own, thank you."

"Are you sure? I tend to get lost, and I've been here since the beginning. Can I see your schedule?"

I relented but handed it to her. It was okay, I hoped.

"We have the same classes together," the girl smiled as she handed my schedule back to me.

Why does God torture me?

The universe was out to get me, as if this curse and this girl were a joke to drive me insane. Insane, like the people in my nightmares, driven mad by some force. This pull of hers would be my undoing. I should've been homeschooled to control this curse, but with my luck, an angry mob would eventually burn my house, butcher my family, and hang our bodies, Vlad Dracula style.

"I guess we'll go together," I tried to sound as cheerful as possible.

I felt the pull growing stronger. I ground my teeth in frustration. I had to get used to this force; otherwise... I didn't know what I'd do. Many situations ran through my head. Many of them make me seem weird or strange. I should have known better the moment we met at the library. The first person I interacted with would be doomed, and the curse would begin.

I sucked at being a lone wolf and being obnoxious.

Why couldn't people leave me alone? Why couldn't I leave them alone?

It was a long walk to our English class. Mariel said that we were reading Twenty Leagues Under the Sea. I had never heard of that book before, but I was intrigued. A book about sea monsters was almost as exciting as war books. The story was published in 1870, and I wondered if I was smart enough to understand it. Maybe, it shouldn't be hard.

A question popped into my mind as we walked in this long, endless, quiet hallway.

"How did Mr.Ross tell you about me? I didn't see you guys talk."

"Oh, he texted me."

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Mariel saw my reaction and quickly responded.

"He's my brother."

"You guys don't look related," I questioned.

They both had dark hair, hers on the lighter side, but their eyes were too different. Mariel's eyes were dark brown, almost black, while his eyes were light blue. Mr. Ross's skin was pale, while she was tan with freckles. I know that siblings didn't have to look exactly alike, but too many differences seemed strange if they were blood-related, half or not.

"He is my brother."

Let's leave it at that. Mariel was offended that I even asked. A faded taste of salt was in her voice, which tasted like cinnamon roasted almonds. A sign of rage.

Mariel stormed into the classroom, and I followed behind, sitting near her. I didn't bother looking for another empty seat when I noticed I was dangerously close to her. Besides, it might make her angry if I moved. The pull was slowly growing. I desperately hoped that it would go down by the end of class.

~~~~~

"Have you confirmed that he's not a threat?" the male voice asked over the phone.

"He seems like an ordinary kid. However, He called me empty," The teacher stated, staring out the window. The black cell phone pressed against his ear.

A cinnamon-colored rat sat on the windowsill, following its master's eyes. The soft wind brushed against its fur as it yawned loudly. There weren't any clouds today, but an eerie feeling was in the air despite the warm weather, and Ross was fully aware of its source.

"Empty?" the voice over the phone interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes, empty. Ranger was angry about it. If I have to guess, he feeds off emotions."

"So, he's a demon."

"If his parents made a deal with a devil, then yes. As far as I could tell, he's human. He has a soul, and holy items don't affect him. Unless he's some type of hybrid, we can only speculate."

"Is it safe to put them together?"

Ross was tired of answering questions but couldn't tell him that.

"It's the only way to shift its interest to him. She'll be safe as long as she doesn't wander at night. I can handle dealing with both."

"He isn't your top priority. If anything happens to her, you will be held accountable."

"I know what I'm doing."

"You better."

The two beeps ringged in Ross's ear. What a pleasant way to end a conversation.

~~~~~

There was nothing more I could say on the matter. I was screwed, plain and simple. We have the same classes, same lunch, same everything. At this point, we should be married. Then I'd be able to divorce Mariel, and she would leave me bone dry. I didn't care. I had nothing valuable besides my sketchpad filled with useless drawings. Most of them were from my dreams. It was better to draw them out than to write them. A picture worth a thousand words.

I was clearly a psychopath, or was it a sociopath? I skimmed through my pad, recalling the dreams that brought me so much dread. The last picture depicts Isaac killing his mom. His chestnut hair was stained with blood. I knew it sounded weird, but these people in my dreams had names. He could have any name, but Isaac suited him. Isaac Miller, to be precise. I remembered one thing about him: his (my) mom always hated him (me). I never got a reason as to why.

I found it peaceful when alone. I could think freely without any interruptions. My mind was in a constant battle. No one here was going to judge me or read my mind. Only me and me alone. Last night, I didn't dream anything, leaving me stumped on an empty page. I didn't usually draw during the daytime, but I had nothing to do now.

The courtyard was beautiful; holly bushes surrounded the academy, and a large magnolia tree stood in the center. I marveled at it from afar. Dad was running late, so I had time. I set my phone on the stone table just in case he calls. I tend to lose track of time. School ended fifteen minutes ago, but the sun was still bright. I couldn't believe I was not melting from the heat.

I jumped when something tapped my shoulder. When I turned, I saw Mariel holding a leather book. There was no pull this time. Was she not expressive right now? I could have sworn the tug was by how strongly she felt. I wanted to learn more about it, but it might overpower me. What would happen to me when I finally succumb to its influence?

"Here," she handed the book to me, "I saw you reading in the history section. I thought you might like it. It's about the school's history."

I gently placed my sketchbook down and grabbed the book."It… very thick." It was not as thick as a textbook, but it was still heavy in my hands. The leather binding appeared old and worn down. "Where did you get this?" I rubbed my hand over the cover.

"I asked the headmaster."

"You just ask?" 

"I help with school organizations and clubs. He won't miss it. There are many books like this in the library."

"Thanks, I appreciated it," I put it in my backpack.

I took a deep breath when I felt that familiar pull.

She looked at my drawing of Isaac, "What were you drawing?"

"Oh, it's nothing.”

She picked my sketchpad up. "It looks great," she smiled.

"Thanks," My face was hot.

We both turned when we heard a honk and saw my dad waving. Dad always has a knack for showing up when you need him, a parent's sixth sense. It could be good or bad, but it has yet to be terrible.

"That's my dad. I'll see you later," I said, packing my things.

We waved at each other as I entered the car. I watched as Mariel went back inside the academy. My dad had the biggest grin.

"Who's that?" He beamed.

I stared at the building. I might as well accept it, and she might have considered me one too.

"A friend."

~~~~~

I should have seen this coming. Dad told Mom about Mariel when we got home. They had been teasing me ever since, calling her my girlfriend.

"She is a girl who happens to be your friend," Mom joked.

"When are you going to bring her home, son?" Dad laughed.

It didn’t embarrass me, sort of. I could tell my parents were happy that I was making friends. Strangely, I was too. I didn't want the curse to be genuine, but I knew it would happen soon. I should do something to keep that from happening. I didn't know what that something was, but I'd try to figure it out.

I didn't want to lose this. 

I made a friend, maybe. Something I thought I was incapable of doing after what happened to Tommy. When he went missing, everyone pointed their finger at me as I was the last person with him. His mother sent death threats, so we moved out of Wyoming. I never did anything to him. Tommy was here and vanished like a wolf spider. It was ludicrous to think a ten-year-old could do anything. People wanted a scapegoat, and it was always me.

The moon disappeared for the day, leaving the world in utter darkness. The streetlights were the only source of illumination. I half expected something to scare me. Even the moon knew something was off.

I was about to open my window, but I sensed something strange. Strange enough to have that smile I dreaded to show. I covered my mouth and stared at the creature causing it- a monster draped in shadows that no light passed through. It stood on the darkest side of the street, glaring at me under its hood. It took a lot of willpower to close the curtain.

So much hate and despair that I could taste it without the company of words. This must be a sign that the curse was starting. But was it real? Maybe it was a hallucination, but just in case, I was sleeping with the lights on.