"You really do suck at listening, huh?" Mandy asked while pressing her foot down against Harvey's head. Harvey tried to stand up but couldn't. "No, no…stay down and let this happen. You're the only person…I can talk my anger out on!" Mandy yelled as she kicked him on the head now.
Harvey balled up and covered his head. "When are you gonna fight back, Harvey?? Don't you wanna be strong?! Don't you want to hurt me for hurting you?!"
"I…I forgive you…Mandy. I-"
"SHUT IT!!" Mandy slammed her foot on his head. "Forgiveness does nothing! You couldn't look a killer in the eyes, and truly forgive them! You wouldn't forgive me if I killed the most important people you loved and cared about! Forgiveness is a sign of weakness!"
"You're wrong, Mandy." Harvey said as he began to lift his head. Mandy tried to push his head down with her foot, but Harvey's head wouldn't go down. (What's this?) Mandy thought.
"Forgiveness takes…incredible strength! I choose the break the cycle of pain! Rather than act on natural, reflexive and bitterness!!" Harvey had a strange glow around his body. "Harvey-"
A massive hand came from behind Mandy's back and slammed Harvey back down to the ground, making his energy disappear. "YOU FOOLISH CHILD!!!!" The deep an powerful voice yelled. Its voice made the air cold instantly.
"I TOLD YOU…TO GET HER CLOSE…I TOLD THE BOTH OF YOU!!! I NEED THAT GIRL!! I WANT THAT GIRL!!! BRING ME….ISABELLA!!!"
"I refuse. Isabella is just a normal girl. I'm not gonna help you!" Harvey said. The jinn let out a very loud laugh. "But you already are…Harvey!" The jinn laughed.
******
Joey and Rose walked around the town mall. "Wanna rue the wheel?" Rose asked. Before Joey could even utter a word, he was being pulled by his arm towards the wheel. (What's with this girl? Why does it feel like I'm…hanging out with…) Joey visioned Lily, Jodi, and Jackson all together and laughing. (Foolish.)
Joey and Rose sat down and waited for the wheel to begin spinning. "You don't seem to be enjoying anything…besides the cake. Are you ready to leave after this, Lucas?" Rose asked.
"I'm not sure." Joey said as he leaned back and looked up at the roof. The wheel began to move. "I wanna tell you something." Rose said as she moved in closer. Joey was getting a little flustered from how close Rose was. "This wheel…think of it as life itself. Everyone…and every being always starts from th bottom. That's what it comes to physically. Mentally, depending on your life and situation, you'll most likely start at the top of the wheel, happy and at your best mentally. Everyone wants to go back to being a kid. Go back to…being at the top of the mental state. To being innocent. Not overthinking. Not worrying." Rose said as she looked directly into Joey's eyes.
"To-"
"Being free." Joey said with a shaky breath.
Rose didn't say anything for a few seconds. She just kept on looking at Joey and finally uttered the word: "exactly." She sighed with relief.
She grabbed Joey by the hands gently, as the sun shined through the windows on the roof, hitting Joey in the face. "Lucas…" Rose began.
"…yes?"
"Have you recently…thought about taking your own life?"
Joey chuckled to himself. He let out a loud laughter that caused other people to turn their heads and look up. "Ahahahaha!!! You sir are something, Rose. I just love how you assume-"
"I'm not assuming, It was simply a fake question. But you've pretty much answered all I needed to know." Rose said. "It's Friday. You should come with me to hangout tonight!"
"You went from suicide to hanging out? But I think I'll be busy tonight. Sorry." Joey said as he sat back and enjoyed the rest of the wheel. "Busy? Busy doing what?"
"I have a little sister. I have to watch her tonight…make sure she stays out of trouble."
"I don't wanna hangout long or anything. I just wanna take a walk around the lake. It doesn't have to be night, it can be at 5? Please?" Rose asked as she put her hands together.
"Sure. After this, I'm gonna shoot home and meet you at the lake at 5." Joey said.
"Yaaay!!! Thank you, Luke!"
******
Joey walked into the room, Ahana laying down on the coach with a sad look on her face. "What's wrong with you?" Joey asked as he put his stuff down inside his room. "You boys…really piss me off."
"Huh? Boy problems?? We've only been in school for-"
"Not just that, Joey. I have…some information."
"On the girl we're looking for?! You've found someone with jinn energy in the school?!" Joey asked frantically as he sat on th floor next to the coach.
"No. I haven't found anyone. The information I wanna share…is the fact he went off with his damn…bully?" Ahana asked as she grabbed a pillow and put it over her face. "Maybe he liked being bullied or something. Or he just damn likes the girl." Joey said as he got up an stretched out his arms. "Likes being bullied?! Likes the girl?! Oh, shut the hell up!" Ahana groaned.
"We aren't here to make friends. We're here to simply find this girl and move on-"
"What's so important about this girl you're looking for?"
"She has the ability to cancel out the affects of a curse." Joey said.
Ahana lifted her head. "An ability that cancels any and all curses?! Someone like that exists!?" Ahana asked.
"Yes. It's final we find her."
"Why would we need someone like that? I don't know anyone-"
Ahana immediately thought of Harvey. (Is Mandy the girl Joey is looking for?! No, that can't be. I sensed another being's energy inside of her. It couldn't be Mandy…right? If it is, then I…I can't kill her). Ahana clinched her fist in anger. A smile appeared across her face, her long hair covered her smile. "That bitch…"
*****
5pm
(Rose has a very unique feeling. I don't know why, but…I feel at such peace when around her. She's a very pure and kind person. Hard to find that these days). Joey thought as he an her were walking through the dirt trail. "Rose, I've got something I need for opinion on."
"Hmm…okay!"
"If someone hurt you in the past, is it okay to avoid any affection or communication as much as possible, even when you're living with them or constantly around them?"
"Hmm…I'd say it depends on what they've done to you." Rose said.
Memories of everyone dying…along with all of the fighting clouded Joey's mind.
"But…then again…forgiveness is a beautiful thing. Forgiveness will make them even a better person."
"Forgiveness? Even against such evil?"
"Well, damn. What exactly did this person do?" Rose asked.
"Messed up things. I find it hard to even….like them."
"At the end of the day, yo two are together for a reason. Wether it was by force or coincidence. God has a plan for everyone, right?" Rose placed her hand on Joey's face and smiled. A smile that was so pure and filled with joy. "Forgive them. If I was close to someone that I needed and they hurt me in the past, but not the present, I wouldn't forget what they did…but I'd focus on what they're doing now. Today. If they're truly a new person…then love and respect that new person. Make them forget about the bad, as they'll try to make you forgot about it too. That's if they're truly a new and good person."
******
Monday…...
Ahana walked down the halls, her large book bag hanging down as she noticed Harvey on the opposite side of the hall. She immediately walked over and bumped into him playfully. "Hey thre little guy!" Ahana said. Harvey didn't say anything, he continued to walk and Ahana followed beside him. "Hey, I was talking to you! What happened with you and Mandy?"
"Isabella, please." Harvey said in a low mummbled voice.
"Huh? Please what?"
"Leave me…alone."
Ahana noticed scars on the back of Harvey's head. "Did Mandy do that?! Did she hurt you-"
"Don't worry about it! You don't listen! All you do is act on your own without any consequences!! Just leave me alone like I've already said!! I want nothing to do with you! Stay away from me, please, I'm begging you!" Harvey said as tears began to form in his eyes. He quickly turned away and walked down the hall.
Ahana stopped walking and just stared at Harvey walk down the hall. She clenched her fist, wanting to punch the wall. "It always seems like…I'm the problem when it comes to the people I care about." Ahana said, but somehow…Harvey could hear her words and he stopped walking.
"I don't mean to be a burden. I'm trying to be a better person, because I know…I'm not a good one. I'll leave you alone, Harvey. I'm sorry if I hurted you in anyway possible. Please….forgive me." Ahana quickly turned around and pushed past two boys, nearly knocking them over. "Watch it!" One yelled.
******
Ahana was sitting in class, just drawing random pictures of the different items. She turned around to look at Harvey, who was sleep in his corner. Ahana had an idea…a not so smart one. She put her head down, letting her hair cover the sides and lifted her eye patch.
In that very moment…Ahana used her powers to locate any and all energy within the school. Only one person stood out…and it was Mandy Lionheart's.
*****
It feels like yesterday…when you saved me, yet…ended my life.
"How much? How much for it?!" The woman asks frantically.
"We both know you don't have enough. However…your daughter will do in payment. Just give me an hour with her."
"Just give me the damn pill!" The woman yelled.
Mandy could hear footsteps approaching her door. Two tall men walked into her room, shutting and locking the door. "Let's hurry up and have some fun."
This happened every single night for years and years. Until, one day…Mandy's emotions had hit an all-time negative impact on energy, summoning and inviting a jinn into her home, killing her mother and all of the men and women who took advantage of the situation.
"In return of me slaughtering these fools, you'll help me with my own curse. You pathetic…weak child." The creature growled.
******
Mandy had short black hair, half of it golden brown, with green eyes, a black choker around her neck, large golden loop earrings, black jeans, had on a long black sleeve shirt, and wore black boots. Mandy was taking her notes in class until there was a knock at her classroom door. The doo opened to reveal Ahana, standing there with a bright smile. "Excuse me, teacher. I was sent in by my teacher to borrow Mandy. I think it was Mandy Lionheart?" Ahana asked as she turned and locked eyes with Mandy.
Without any hesitation, Mandy stood up, fixed her hair and walked out of the classroom. Ahana closed the door, having Mandy stand in front of her. "Walk straight then take a right to the stairs, then I want you to go all the way to the bottom where there are no cameras." Ahana said as she made a gun hand-sign and placed her two fingers on the back of Mandy. Mandy reached behind her to feel Ahana's fingers.
"What a cute threat, Isabella. I'm not really sure what it is you think you're doing, but I'm not a fan of-"
"I know about the damn spirit on you. I'm not your average girl, Mandy Lionheart. I will kill you…if you don't do as I say." Ahana warned. Mandy tried to hold in her laugh but couldn't. "Oh, is this about Harvey? I don't know what you're talking about. There is no spirit. I happen to like Harvey is all. I can't play with him?"
"Don't act dumb-"
"I'm serious. I don't know what you're talking about. I simply enjoy…picking at him."
Ahana leaned in and whispered the following: "I saw the scars on his head and I frlt presene of a jinn on you yesterday. Not a normal spirit."
Mandy then got quiet. "Yeah? And what's this gonna do? Stop me from getting what I want?" Mandy asked.
Ahana used her other hand and slightly pulled Mandy's. "Move to the damn stairs." She ordered Mandy.
Mandy began walking very slowly down the hall. She turned and walked down the stairs with Ahana following closely behind her. (Isabella. What could little me possibly do to get out of this? I could just play dumb…it's not like she can really prove I have any deal with my jinn). Mandy began to smile as she was now on the last flight of stairs.
"You can stop and turn around." Ahana said. Mandy slowly turned around and locked eyes with Ahana. "You pathetic child. Life kicking you down, huh?" Mandy chuckled. Ahana's raised an eyebrow. "I'm pathetic? Ahaha! You're really cute, Mandy." Ahana raised her fingers and pressed it against Mandy's forehead. "I keep evolving almost everyday. My powers…my everything. One little thing keeps screaming inside my head everytime I look at you. And that is screams. Screams of a litttle girl…who's being assaulted," Ahana began to laugh. "And you stand here and call me…pathetic?"
"I'll kill-"
"No, no, no. Don't even move, Mandy." Ahana said as she nearly pushed her against the wall. "Heh…coming from a girl…who wants nothing but to be loved, but doesn't even know how to love." Mandy said. "Your mother sold you off for drugs. Seems like we both weren't loved."
"So….what now?"
"I'm going to ask you some questions…and I need to know the truth, okay?" Ahana asked. "Mhm." Mandy replied.
"Your ability…can you cancel the affects of curses?!"
"Absolutely not. Why do you think I'm cursed?"
A wide smile came across Ahana's face. "So in other words, I can kill you now and it would be fine." Ahana said as she pressed her fingers harder against Mandy's head.
"I've done nothing wrong. You wouldn't kill an innocent girl…right?"
"I ain't no jinn slyer. I'll put a threat down when I see it. I'm a soldier, not a jinn slayer." Ahana said.
"If you kill me…you'll also kill Harvey." Mandy laughed.
"Possibly. But recently…I've been able to access the attacks on a soul-level. If I were to touch your soul, for just a moment, I could make Harvey not part of the deal…and in that moment kill you." Ahana explained.
Due to Ahana's eye, she could harm the souls of her enemies. Even minipulate the soul's form, energy, and curses if one is placed upon it. Only for a moment though and in that moment, Ahana, theoretically, can break someone from a curse if performed right. However, if Ahana damaged the soul too much, the chain at which connects the two or more souls involved with the curse, will all die. It's a gamble and only Ahana could achieve this feat from just merely existing. She after all is…the blessed one.
"It's a risk! You wouldn't put his life on the line!" Mandy said. Ahana slapped her hand onto Mandy's chest. "Time we find out!"
Before Ahana could try it…the bell rang and people began flooding the stairs. "That big mouth of yours let me get away! Don't worry…I'll be seeing you so soon, beautiful." Mandy said as she blew a kiss at Ahana. "I'll make sure to take care of Harvey in the meantime!" Mandy added as she dissapeared into the crowd of people.
"I look…foward to it. I'll kill you and eat your soul. Mandy Lionheart!" Ahana laughed, her normal eye twitching.
******
Harvey was walking to his building. It was cold and th snow storm was soon to hit. Someone wrapped their arm around Harvey. Harvey looked to his left to see Mandy standing over him. "Harvey…do you…ignore Isabella?" Mandy asked, hiding her True Tone in her friendly voice.
"N-no-"
"Don't lie to me, Harvey. Remember, we have a deal. If we fail to meet those conditions, we will die and the jinn will live. You know what happens when you lie, yeah? It would be such a shame to have to break something just to get what I want. On Friday is the spiritual party. One of the most popular things in this town. You're gonna bring Isabella there."
"N-no!"
"Yes, Harvey. You are." Mandy said with a glare in her eyes. "That girl likes you. You'll bring her to the party, and we'll finally…be free. We will just enjoy our night…and the jinn is going to have its way with Isabella. She'll die an we will be fine! Don't you want that?" Mandy asked.
"I'm not putting her life in danger for my freedom." Harvey said. Mandy took a deep breath and looked down at Harvey with a disappointed look on her face. "Well…it's a good thing I ran into you today, huh?" Mandy leaned in closely. "If you don't use your weird personality to win over her heart fully, I'll have to go into plan b. That girl…she's not a normal person. She knows of things you don't even know when it comes to this jinn stuff. But, anyway…time for some fun, Harvey! I'm going to beat you…just how badly I used to get beaten when I didn't want to comply."
"Mandy, just wait-"
"Nope!"
Mandy tripped Harvey and dragged him away, his yells dissapeared as he was dragged into the nearby woods.
******
Tuesday….
Ahana was in the classroom taking notes. She heard the door open, as Harvey walked in the classroom with an arm cast and crutches to help him walk with his now broken leg.
Ahana stood up immediately. Everyone in the classroom turned their heads to face her. Ahana grabbed her shirt tightly and began to pull at it.
******
Joey was sitting and talking to Rose. The two of them were laughing and enjoying their day, until Joey suddenly felt a large spike of jinn energy. "You okay?" Rose asked. "No…I think…I think somethings wrong with my sister."
******
Next chapter: Hidden Agenda