The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books) (33 page)

"The twelve are the originals of the Gods." Ari says.
 

"The men are Apollo, Ares, Hades, Hephaestus, Hermes, Poseidon, and Zeus." Ollie adds on.
 

"The woman are Hestia, Hera, Athena, Artemis and Aphrodite." Ari finishes.
 

"So my mom is one of them? One of the five women?" I ask, trying to grasp it all as they speak fast.

"Most likely, unless Hades is just screwing with us." Ollie says.

"Which he's been known to do." Ari adds in.

I take it all in for a second, letting myself think. My mom is one of five people. It will be so easy for us to find her. The world is only so big. Maybe she's watched me through all these years—not likely but still. I want to see her just once even though I hate her, which I totally still do.

"I think that's enough for tonight." Ollie says, while I think of my stranger mom.
 

"But..." I start to say and he cuts me off, raising his hand up.
 

"We can talk the whole ride home tomorrow. We have a long plane ride." He explains and I agree. I excuse myself, retreating to the bathroom. I turn on the water from the shower and let it get hot as I strip myself of my clothes.
 

Glancing in the cloudy mirror, I notice all the little imperfections from the journey. My knees are all bruised up. I have some scratches on my forearms. The worst of it is when I check out my back. My shoulder is completely blue and green. I wince when I lightly touch it.
 

I jump into the shower and stand under the stream of hot water, hoping it will fix my muscles and battered body.
 

I remember one time when I was in middle school, we were playing this game called Red Rover. Basically the class lines up in two lines across from each other. Everyone joins hands and makes a linked wall. One team would yell, "red rover, red rover, let Ryder come over" and you would just put in who ever's name you wanted to. I liked to stand in the middle because they got the most action. The person who's name was called had to run and try to break through the wall.

One time a huge kid, I think his name was Matt was called to run through. He ran and went right for my spot in the wall. We held him back and he didn't get through but a pain shot through my right side. Basically what happened was while I was blocking him from breaking through, my arm twisted and my shoulder popped out. Worst pain I've ever been through. That's saying a lot because I've also had a root canal.
 

Thank God that didn't happen while I was down there. I would have had a full blown emotional break down. After that I had to wear a sling for two weeks. Everyone made fun of me. Clearly it scarred me for life.
 

I stand underneath the water for a couple more minutes then decide if I stay any longer, I am going to pass out from sheer exhaustion.
 

I quickly wash my hair and body. It is hard because so much crap is on my body but I scrub myself relatively clean, getting rid of the dust and mud.
 

I wash again to make sure Cerberus's saliva is fully gone, sniffing myself to make sure I don't reek. I hop out of the shower when I am done and have to clean the mirror since the steam is so thick. I finger brush my hair and look for my clean clothes.
 

It dawns on me that I forgot to bring them in. I'm stuck naked in my towel. I shout for the guys to shut their eyes through the door and to my amazement, they both do when I run in the bedroom and grab my clothes. For once people listen to me. I run as fast as I can back into the privacy of the bathroom.
 

Quickly, I throw my jammies on and run back into the room, jumping in the bed. I scoot under the covers and when I get comfy, I moan at how perfect this bed feels compared to caves, boulders and rock. When I open my eyes both boys are starting at me. My eyes dart from one to the other and I grin.
 

"Goodnight." I say to them both, before pulling the covers over my head. I don't want them to watch me snore and drool. I have to admit I'm a heavy, unattractive sleeper. I don't care though, I just want to pass out.

I wake up and immediately know that I am in a dream. It's weird that I am starting to understand this kind of stuff. I can tell the edges are a little blurred and my vision is darker than normal. If this had been my first dream I wouldn't have guessed but now I know what to look for. I am becoming a dream pro.
 

I take in my surroundings and see that I am in a dorm room. I can't tell if it is mine or not but I am guessing that it is. Why else would I be here?
 

I look around and see some pictures on the right side wall and my laptop on my desk. Definitely my room. There's a picture of dad and me at a Giants game on my desk. I've never seen the frame before but the picture is an oldie. I look to the bed and see myself fast asleep.
 

I don't look any different than I do right now which means it must be coming soon, or it's from the past. I'm snoring a little. My legs are wrapped in the sheets and my arms are flailing around. I wake up with a scream, as my body shoots straight up in bed, staring into air.
 

I see a look of pure terror on my face. I don't know what wakes me up but I know I am scared shitless. I rush over to the bedside only to realize that I can't do anything. She can't see me here. I am just a bystander in this dream.
 

Just then a knock hits the door and it opens and closes silently. It's pitch black so I can't see much but a figure walks in.
 

This person isn't very large. He has a cloak and hood on so it covers his face. I can't make out who it is at all. Since they can't see me I figure I will walk over and try to decipher who it is. It isn't Ollie or Ari—they are much taller and have big muscles. This person is only about two inches taller than me and is slim.

He walks slowly over to the bed and puts his hand on mine. My dream self, not me. I walk over to my side and look at this cloaked person. I see the bottom part of her face. I know it is a 'her' now because of the lips. Her lips are plump and painted red. Her face is rounded, very woman-like.
 

She isn't smiling but there is a hint of joy some where inside her face. Her skin is perfect, devoid of any blemishes. The only thing I can see is a faint line of freckles over her nose similar to the way I get in the summer. I try to bend down to see her eyes but I can't, she is too covered up by the hood.
 

"Darling. Stop looking for me." My mother. I'm not sure how I know or if I am even right. I feel the connection with her voice like I remember it somehow. I'm not sure if that would even be possible since I only knew her for like three days out of my whole life. Deep down somewhere, I know that is my mom.
 

"I want to know you." My dream self says, crying as she stumbles over her words. She is just staring at my mom with wide eyes. She's trying to get her to stay. I want her to stay, too.
 

"You can't. Not now." She says and then she drops my hand. "It's too dangerous. I'm wanted." My dream self starts to sob. I start crying myself from the coldness in her voice, by the rejection. My dream self is bawling at this point unable to even form a sentence. The woman, my mother leaves without even looking back. Not even a freaking glance.

I look to my dream self and my heart breaks for her. She is visibly shaking and I can't do anything to help her. I feel her pain like it's my own. I hate that woman! How can she keep leaving me?
 

Just then I know that I am going to change that vision. I'm not going to let her leave. Now I have the upper hand. I am going to make her stay. I am going to look into her eyes and give her a piece of my mind. She can't just come to see me then vanish. No. I am going to make her pay for leaving me.

I can't shake the rejection my dream self and I feel. I keep sobbing holding my dream self. She can't feel me but I feel her. I want to make this okay for us both. I am taken from the dream just then. The familiar blackness returning.
 

"Eury, wake up please. It's okay." I open my eyes and see big green circles staring at me. Ari holds me in his arms as a constant trickle of tears trails down my cheeks. I look up into Ari's eyes and feel a calmness wash over me. "It's okay." He says again now rocking me. His arms envelop me and I feel the hum.
 

"I know." I relent, leaning into his chest. I start to drift asleep in his arms when I am jolted awake. The room is dark so I can't see what is happening but I can tell it is no good.

"What do you think your doing?" Ollie questions us pulling Ari up by the front of his shirt. I get knocked around since I was laying on him and end up sprawled across the floor.
 

"She was crying!" Ari yells back, defending himself while plucking Ollie's hand off of his shirt. Ollie stumbles as Ari pushes his chest back and comes back towards him.

"We agreed. She has to choose." Ollie states shoving him in the chest.

"What was I supposed to do, let her cry alone?" Ari hoots back. I just sit down here, waiting for them to shut up.
 

"Exactly!" Ollie screams back.

"Excuse me." I try to cut in so someone can help me up or notice me. This is ridiculous.
 

"No way. You're crazy dude." Ari remarks, backing up towards the window.
 

"You steal her every time." Ollie says back, advancing on him with rapid speed.
 

"Excuse me!" I cut in again, this time screaming. I muster up all the strength I have left and get up from the floor.
 

"What." They both say turning to face me from their spots.
 

"You agreed to something?" I ask. They look at each other, trying to feel out what they will say and who will say what. "Just tell me." I urge them. I am so freaking tired of this. I am exhausted. I sit on the bed, placing my hands on my lap as I wait for someone with balls to just answer me.
 

"In the Underworld we agreed neither of us would be with you until you chose." Ari says but not happily. He scowls at Ollie and then faces me with open eyes.
 

"You didn't think to consult me?" I ask them, feeling pissed. They're now making peace treaties behind my back?

"We just figured you might need time." Ollie states his voice soothing and relaxed.

"You figured right. I'm not going to be with either of you!" I declare stubbornly.
 

Oh no. What did I just do?

"What?" Again, they respond in unison. Their eyes are now wide open and their mouths form an 'o' in shock.
 

"That's right. You two are acting crazy. I'd rather be single anyway." I further dig my hole, regretting what I say.
 

"Are you kidding me?" Ollie asks bemused.

"Not at all." I respond. Both of their jaws are basically on the ground by this point. Eventually I will have to choose who I want to be with. I have never felt such connections with anyone else. Plus, we still have the curse to deal with which says I should be with Ollie, I think.
 

It's annoying to me that fate is at play here. I don't want to be forced to make a decision. I also don't want to make a decision while under some curse. I feel like my free will is being messed with.