Tsuru was lost in thought laying inside the lamp. Things had been moving smoothly aside from Allon question... she needed to be careful with him. And so far they had been traveling for well over two days. Evira was getting worried about things she didn't know, and not one of the two had even thought to wish their problems away.
She couldn't believe she preferred being in the lam instead of out. All because those two would keep their eyes on her like a hawk. But more so because it gave her time to think and the more she did the more suspicious she became of Allon.
He reminded her of many masters she'd had in the past. Around the same time, she learned that genies had been around for thousands of years. Every generation starting off strong, but as the years went by they'd slowly fade. People would forget, and that was the time a new generation would come, when no one expected it.
Either way it worked, she wasn't one to question much about it. She never cared about the past, only hated it for being so lost in her memories.
Remembered parts of the past for a brief second the scenes playing through her mind. Almost like a melody being played for the first time. Good things and bad things she remembered alike, yet blurred and foggy, she could barely make out the scenes.
The cold unforgiving past
"I'll be back in a while don't worry, Akeem," Tsuru announced as she looked back at her older brother. He was leaning on the wall clutching his cane, he'd lost a leg, but she was far too young when it happened to recall it. She wouldn't question the subject, believing if she did, he'd feel bad.
"Be careful there's been a lot of missing people lately." Akeem was worried like always. But he wasn't wrong, people were disappearing and at an alarming rate, for no good reason. He had insisted she should wait a few days and they could go together.
"I always am, there's no need to worry. It's not my first time sneaking around for a visit." Tsuru reassured him, smiling brightly before covering her features, "I'm not careless."
Blankly staring at her he laughed slightly, "Just take care and don't make me worry. Be back before its too dark, tell him we can visit in a few days." She'd be visiting their sick family member, given that he lived in a different household he'd be farther away.
"Wouldn't it be best if someone went with you. Father would be angry if anything where to happen, and it would be my mistake as well if it did." Akeem was worried and would look behind him in case their father appeared, "You know how things get when you leave on your own and I allow it."
Tsuru grabbed his hands, "I will be back, do not worry."
The streets where a dangerous place to be at night, anything could be attempted at that time and no one would witness. He had good reason to be worried and she couldn't deny it. But she insisted until he agreed, sending her off.
She smiled at him covering her face with a reddish brown cloth as she walked away determined she would be back in time.
Her plan today was simple, she was going to visit her family member and be out before it was too dark. It was all just a few hours away on the road she took. Her mother had wanted to go and see him herself, but things where far too busy at the moment and she couldn't.
He waved goodbye watching her leave until she disappeared from his view. He was nerves, his hands shaky and sweaty, heading back inside and hoppin her disappearance wasn't noticed for a while
Tsuru traveled quickly, trying her hardest to arrive in time. The sun staring to fade and the night coming closer. Sure she'd traveled alone before but it was always risky, she had to be quick and she couldn't waste time.
Sadly luck wasn't on her side, she had barely managed to arrive at her cousin's house before the sky turned completely black
Being welcomed in the home by his wife she went to see him, "How are you feeling?" his wife had left being too busy, excusing herself as she did.
The man looked up at her from the bed he laid in, he was pale nearly lifeless, things weren't going any better for him, "I've had better days."
A cough escaped his lips while he covered his mouth with his hand. Letting it fall to the side she caught a glimpse of his opened hand spotting small dots of blood across it, things were only getting worse for him as it seemed.
"Is there anything you need?" Tsuru questioned wondering if she might be of any help.
The man shook his head, "I don't need anything, there's nothing to be done. ." He closed his eyes looking drained from the day, as he took in deep uneven breaths.
In her daze, she asked something without thinking, a question that was better unasked, "What did the doctor say?"
His eyes shot open at the question but looked away, averting contact with her own. The man seemed to hold in his tears, "You should head back home. Thanks for the visit... did you come alone again."
She laughed awkwardly, "I... might have..."
"Tsuru that is dangerous." He spoke harshly at her, " Go back now. And I'll be sending someone to accompany you."
"There's no need. I don't want to be a bother, I was just concerned." She stepped away from him and walked to the door, "I'm sorry for bother you."
He didn't answer anything as she left. He had expected her to at least wait until one of his sons was called to escort her back. But before any of that happened Tsuru walked out the door.
She felt bad for making him worry, he already had enough things in his hands. Not even being able to tell him she'd try and visit with Akeem next time.
Walking down the streets quickly her face covered completely, just letting her eyes peek out. Trying her best to stop thinking about him so she could concentrate on the road ahead.
A moon less night to her dismay, the dark swallowing her whole. She was supposed to have been back before night fall, and now this was a problem. She knew that the moment she was back, her and Akeem would be in trouble.
Her eyes drifting to the side of the road, there on the floor something seemed to shine in the middle of darkness. Like a shining ray of hope, it seemed. Looking closer she could tell it was a lamp, it looked to be out of gold.
Peeking her attention, who would leave such a thing in the ground? Somebody must have surely lost it. But looking around there was no one. not a soul wondering the streets.
She crouched besides it and pulled it out of the dirt. She could take it back home, maybe it would get her fathers interest and forget she was in trouble.
"Who would lose this?" she said out loud, the lamp began to emit smoke. Red as blood pouring out, yet the lamp was cold. It made no sense, and it seemed to wrap around her hand.
Scaring her she let it fall to the ground and try to get the smoke off her. But like a snake it wrapped around her hand and the rest of her body. Pulling her into the lamp like an animal devouring its prey.
"Help!" She screamed out in fear before completely disappearing in the lamp, the smoke joining her inside.
A number appeared in front of her two hundred. She was unaware of what it meant, seeing nothing but darkness around her. Looking for a way out, but the smoke clouded her vision. A paper revealing itself to her, appearing as a contract.
Grabbing it she read, "You have now been cursed to be a genie. You may create your own set of rules and have whichever amount of wishes you desire to grant. Once you've chosen these, they can never change. The number that has just flashed before you, are the years you must be a genie. Once complete you will perish." It was written like a simple letter. Nothing else in it even when she turned to inspect the back.
She wished this was some cruel joke, refusing to believe the paper in her hands. Throwing it to the void around her, attempting to walk she felt wobbly.
Looking down at what should be her legs, they weren't there. They had been covered in red smoke to the point she could no longer tel if there was even anything down there. She couldn't move she felt stuck, and just like that contract chains appeared. All out of the darkness to wrap around her hands and neck.
Outside this cruel lamp the road was quiet. Not a soul present to have seen her imprisonment. No one would ever know the reason she never made it home.
Finding the nozzle of the lamp she could see outside, but it was far to dark to look any different from the inside.
"Somebody help me!" she screamed but her words only echoed around her, never making it out.
But the past should simply stay in the past
Tsuru shook her head coming back to reality where she was being called for. Looking out through the same old nozzle she called a 'window' she spotted.
"Tsuru!" Evira called out again, and she floated out of the lamp. With the same red smoke that had devoured her into this curse.
"What is it?" Tsuru asked annoyed by her sudden call since she interrupted her solitary moment.
Comments (1)
See all