Cursed of Melissa

"The sun will rise, the moon will fill with blood, and the sky will cry like a puppet of an evil."

Everyone in town was thinking and doing business on Saturday. The sky had turned white, and the sun was smiling at us. I sighed and got my bag from the chair. Before I leave the house, I look in the mirror and adjust my hair. I begin going down the street. Today has been a hard day. Another day, another school assignment to complete later. I wandered like a cold-hearted woman in our town, minding my own business. I noticed the gazes of certain people on me and how badly they looked at me. I inhaled deeply and disregarded their stares.

"The evil work will rise and those who attempt to get in her way will die."

I came to a halt on the other side of the road when I noticed a woman standing in the middle with her back to me and her gaze fixed on the sky.

Wasn't she terrified about being run over by passing cars? I took a big breath and approached the woman standing with her back to me.

Her clothes had holes in them, and she was filthy, but the blood in her hand drew my attention. Where did this girl come from?

"The darkness will rise, the evil will rise, Melissa is awake hunting her preys and food."

"Ms., are you all right? You're blocking the road. You could get run over by the passing cars," I asked, buts he didn't turn to face me.

"Ms., would you like to go sideways?" I stopped when she laughed gently and turned to face me.

Her face is covered in a black tint that I can't identify. All I can see is her red eyes, as if ready to kill, and her lips smiling at me, which makes my body quiver.

"El Tiempo de la Muerte esta cerca," she murmured, and for reasons I don't understand, I fell in fear.

"El Tiempo de la Muerte esta cera!" She came cautiously, causing me to close my eyes in horror.

"HEY, ARE YOU GOING TO KILL YOURSELF?!"

"STEP AWAY!"

I came to a halt and looked around. I saw the angry expressions on the individuals before me and outside their automobiles. I returned to where the woman had been standing earlier, but she was no longer there.

What was that? I abruptly stood up and walked away. Why did the girl vanish a moment ago with some unknown words?

"ME...LI...S..SA.."

~~

"Alison!" Franxine yelled out, who approached me with a smile. "Your face is red. Did something happen?" she inquired.

I shook my head, recalling what had happened earlier, how I saw the mad woman blocking the road, and how I could hear the words I couldn't understand.

I'm still afraid because it was the first time something like that had happened to me.

"Did you eat before leaving your house?" she inquired, and I shook my head. She gave me a punch on my shoulder.

"Maybe it's because you're hungry again," she murmured as she drew me into our school's gate.

"Come on, eat at the canteen while we still have time," she added. She hauled me to the canteen,

While I sat here waiting for her, she bought me some food.

"El Tiempo de la Muerte esta cerca,."

The fact that the mad woman came to my mind again; it's still horrifying, even though her voice appears to be etched on my head.

"Hey, your zoning out again," Francine, who was already in front of me, remarked as she placed the meal she had brought before me and crossed her arms.

"Hurry up, we still have a spells and potions quiz. You know our witch instructor over that subject is grumpy," she continued. I began eating the food she provided me for free.

"By the way, do you know the news? About that tree in the middle of our town?" she questioned, glancing at me as I shook my head.

"You don't really watch the news," she tormented me. "There is a rumor now that they saw a woman come out of that tree; some people who saw it said that the woman suddenly came out of the tree itself, and then the aura of that woman was scary," she said. I remembered the woman I saw earlier in the middle of the road.

"You know, some people say it's a ghost because today is the death anniversary of the woman who has been buried for hundreds of years in that tree." I frowned when she stated it.

"A woman who's been buried in a tree for hundreds of years?" I wondered.

"Yes, don't you listen to our history class?" she asked. I shifted my gaze elsewhere.

"Is it possible to sense the long-dead?" I inquired.

"I don't know," she replied. "However, I believe it is possible because some people believe the woman buried in the tree has a curse, but they don't know what the village's curse is," she continued. She checked her watch.

She jumped up and said, "Alison, come on, we'll be late."

So I stood up and ate the sandwich and drinks she had purchased for me; while we walked to our first subject's room, I ate to use up the free food she had given me.

"1 minute late, Ms. Alison Ferrer and Ms. Franxine Hermoza." Our instructor welcomed us in front of his own witch bowl.

Francine and I both said, "Sorry." I swallowed when I unexpectedly belched, which aggravated our instructor's stare.

"-10 Ms. Ferrer, -5 Ms. Hermoza," he stated as he let us into the room. Francine and I sat down instantly in front of our own bowls.

"What are we going to do?" I inquired of the individual sitting next to me.

"He hasn't taught anything yet; he said he'd announce first," the gentleman next to me said, and I nodded and thanked him.

"Next week, our school's witchmural will be held. All of you are expected to come to find out which breed you belong to."

I suddenly forgot about the girl and was excited about next week's event.

"Once you've been assigned a breed, you'll go there in the next few days to practice and learn about your abilities," it said.

"The breeding of witches is divided into seven, the Coven-Based Witch, Solitary Witch, Hereditary Witch, Crystal Witch, Cosmic Witch, Green Witch, and Gray Witch. No matter where you belong in these breeds, I congratulate you because you have powerful abilities and talents."

"Right now, everything you've learned in the subjects you now have, may you use it correctly and always consider the good for our people," he said, taking his magic stick from the side.

He waved it in the air, and some magic appeared.

"Let's get started," he said as the kettle in front of him filled with water. The water is boiling, but it is not hot.

I looked at the magic bowl before me; I could see my reflection until it disappeared.

Turns black and appears to form another reflection.

"El Tiempo de la Muerte esta cerca."

My eyes widened again, and I recognized the previous woman.

"AHHHHHH!"

"Ms. Ferrer!" I looked at the person who had called my last name; all eyes were on me, and I wondered why I had yelled.

"Is there a thing you need to shout loud of?" our instructor snarled. I gulped and returned my gaze to the magic bowl before me. The face of the woman I had seen earlier had vanished.

"I-I'm sorry," I apologized. The anxiousness and fear that had previously vanished reappeared.

"Take the test, and then we'll talk after class."

"Alison!" Franxine called me, and I could see the concern on her face. I approached her after closing the door of the faculty. "What did they say? Are you okay?" she said, and I nodded.

"What happened? Why did you scream earlier? You looked terrified and blushed earlier," she asked as we walked towards our next subject.

"Perhaps I'm just tired or something," I answered, sensing her displeasure and turning to face her.

"It's... it's strange because of what happened to me earlier on my way to school," I remarked, looking at the road.

"First, when I left the house, it seemed like everyone around me was looking at me strangely. I don't know why or what's wrong," I explained as Franxine, and I went into a hallway and told her about what had happened earlier.

"Next, I saw a woman standing in the middle of the road; of course, I was concerned about her, so I approached her and tried to get her to the side so she wouldn't be run over by cars, but..." I came to a halt and remembered what had happened before. Franxine even stopped and waited to hear what I would say next.

"But what?" she inquired, and I turned to face her before swallowing.

"But she's crazy," I continued, "She's different from her clothes. If you look at her, she's like someone who lives on the streets because she's also dirty, but I saw blood on her hand, and it is weird because she said a word I couldn't understand," she frowned.

"That's strange," she said as we resumed our trek.

We remained silent till we arrived at our next subject, Potion, and Herbs.

I sat in my chair and glanced out the window; from here, I could see the students in the Garden conversing and someone casting a spell. I moved my gaze to a tree in the Garden. I could observe a woman's posture with her back turned from where I was.

I swallowed quickly and stroked Franxine, who was sitting next to me.

"Xine... That's her Xine!" I exclaimed, looking at the woman standing before the tree.

"Where?" she inquired.

"Look at the tree near the tulips. She is the woman I told you I saw," I said, and I noticed how the woman reacted to my actions.

"There's nothing there." I scowled at Franxine's remarks and turned to face her; she was staring at the same tree I was.

"Alison, no woman is standing under the tree," she continued, which is why I went back to look at the tree, and my eyes widened when I noticed that the woman was no longer standing there. I swallowed and stood up. Where was the girl?

"The cloud is black again."

"Yes, the cloud always darkens on the anniversary of her death."

"I don't know why everyone is afraid of her."

"You're insane, Mom said, because she's powerful, and before she died, she uttered a curse; I'm not sure what kind of curse."

I looked at the two students before me, frowned, and looked up at the sky filled with black clouds.

"Alison, please sit down now." I looked at Franxine, who appeared concerned about me. I sat down after taking a deep breath.

"I don't think the event will go ahead next week," Franxine replied, and I looked at her.

"Why?" I said, and she gave me a mournful smile before looking at the sky.

"The clouds are black. This is how the clouds looked last year before that incident," she continued, making me frown. So, was there an incident?

"What incident was that?" I inquired, and she laughed.

"You don't like leaving your house, do you?" she asks. "Three hundred people died last year because of what a student did. The authorities call her the unknown witch because the witch has not been caught, that witch who has done something before." She exhaled and returned her gaze to the sky.

"My brother and father died there together," she concluded, leaving me speechless. I'm unsure if I was asleep when that tragedy occurred. I don't recall anything similar happening last year.

I glanced at the cloud. My brow furrowed because I couldn't recall anything like it happening last year.

Three hundred people were killed as a result of the deeds of an unknown witch.

"ME..LI...S...SA.."

When I heard someone talking behind me, I whirled around and scowled when I saw no one.

"Did you whisper to me?" I questioned Franxine, perusing notes in her notebook; she grimaced.

"No?" she asked before slapping my arm. "You're scaring me again, Alison." She remarked, then returned to reading her notes. I looked behind me again, and the only thing I could see was the wall. I calmed myself first, then looked ahead, our instructor had just entered the Potion and Herbs room, and he always frowned whenever he visited our class, as he had before.

~~

"Look at this, Alison. I think it suits you!" Franxine said, handing me the clothing she had seized. I crossed my arms.

"Franxine, aren't we here to buy supplies for the Witchmural?" I inquired.

She pouted before lowering the clothing she was holding.

"Of course, you need new clothes. You wear the same clothes every day. I'm not sure if you only have one dress or if you're just too lazy to look for other clothes in your closet," she added as I laughed and scratched my head. My laundry is piling up in my room, and I'm too tired to wash it.

"Franxine, let's first get the important items we need for the witchmural, then let's buy clothes after the event," I replied. She took a long breath and placed the clothes she had taken back in the bag. She smiled at me again.

"When the witchmural is over, let's go back here and go shopping, clothes you want," she remarked, to which I nodded. She smiled and dragged me towards the store for the items we needed.

Franxine and I have already begun looking for items we will require during the witchmural, which will last three days. On the first day, we will discover what breed of witch we are; on the second day, All the same species of witch will gather to get to know one another. A ceremony for all types of witches is held on the third day.

"You're a student at the Walter Academy for Witches?" I asked, looking at the person next to me. A man the same as my age; he was dressed in a white polo shirt and denim slacks. His hair was dark brown and black, which matched the hue of his eyes, and has red lips.

He gave me a friendly smile.

"Y-yeah," I replied, staring at his hand before me.

I returned his gaze when he introduced himself as "David Gomez." When I observed that he was getting tighter when he grinned, I swallowed.

"Alison," I said shortly before ignoring his hand splayed out before me. I returned my gaze to him after hearing his small giggle.

"I'm new to this town. I just moved here last week and was looking for a school to attend. I asked someone, and they said a school was standing here; they taught the Walter Academy for witches." He told me I was plagued by the -time. What do I care if he has recently moved and is looking for a school?

"By the way, ordinary people are not permitted inside the school. Could you assist me in getting in?" I turned to him. Is he a regular person?

"You know that ordinary people are not allowed inside. Why would you ask me for help?" I laughed, and he was about to respond when I interrupted him.

"Besides, why do you think I'm going to help you? I don't know you, so why should I help you?" I questioned.

"Didn't I introduce myself earlier? Now you know who I am. Can you help me?" He asked, forcing my lips to part. This man is unique; he dares to say so.

"Alison, look at what I saw," Franxine said as she approached me, her gaze fixed on the man before me.

"Hey, who is he? You're not telling me you already have a boyfriend," she asked as my lips parted in response to what she said while not taking her gaze away from that man.

"My name is David Gomez," the man introduced Franxine, and I switched my gaze to the things in front of me.

"Franxine Hermoza, are you new here? This is the first time I saw your face." Franxine explained. I was looking for something to utilize.

"Yes, I just moved here last week, and I was looking for a school to attend; they recommended the Walter Academy for witches, but ordinary people are not permitted there," David told Franxine.

"Oh, do you want me to help you get in? My grandfather is one of our school's chairmen," Franxine remarked, and I stared at them both.

"Franxine," I said, turning to face Franxine, "people like him are not allowed in our school, so stop saying you're helping him." I disobeyed.

"But this is the only school in the town."

"Even so," I asked, glancing at David, "if he wants, he can move to another town with a normal school for people like him. What will ordinary people like him learn in our school?"

"Stop bothering us because we can't help you," I told him.

"He just said his grandfather is the chairman of your school," he continued, making my brow furrow.

"Oh, what now?" I asked. He scratched his eyebrow. "You can't go to our school because there are no normal subjects for the people there."

"But I want to learn witchcraft, so I came to study at your school. I'll pay whatever it takes," he added, facing Franxine.

"I want to adapt to a new environment. I want to learn things that some people like me don't know yet, so please, help me get in." He said this to Franxine; Franxine glanced at me. I just rolled my eyes at her, then continued seeking more to utilize.

I'm not sure what happened through that man's mind when he came to our town to fulfill his dream of studying things that some people have never done.

"Me...li....s...sa.." I stopped where I was standing when I heard another whisper. I turned around, but there was no one else except myself. I took a long breath and calmed myself down. I reached into my pocket for my medication, but it wasn't there.

I swallowed and kept trying to relax.

"I can help you, but there is still a screening to be done there. If you pass, they might let you in and accept you," Franxine said to David. As the two approached me, I swallowed hard and attempted to relax.

"El tiempo de la muerte esta cerca."

~~~

Another day, another task to complete. I shut the door of my house and began heading toward school.

People I meet always give me evil looks. I'm unsure why they're staring at me so severely or what I did to deserve it.

I disregarded the glances I received from strangers. Instead, I wanted to know if I could pass today's spell test.

I came to a halt as I spotted the location where I first saw the strange woman. I took a deep breath and relaxed, remembering how I first saw that mad woman.

I refocused my attention on my path and resumed my trek toward school.