4pm…
"It's a good thing I got there. You would've done something foolish." Joey sighed as he sat down on the coach. Ahana and Harvey sat in the living room on th floor in front of the coach.
"Go screw yourself, Joey." Ahana whispered as she locked eyes with him. "Hmm? Well, Isabella…it wasn't smart to keep such information from me…was it?" Joey asked.
Ahana smacked her lips and rolled her eyes. "Harvey," Joey began. "It's okay to talk here…I sense the jinn is barley connected to you, therefore, you aren't usually attached to it. Or I should say…it isn't attached to you. We can talk freely. I've put down a barrier around the home like usual. Let's start off right. I need you to be able to keep a secret…okay, Harvey?" Joey asked.
"You can count on me." Harvey replied.
"Good. My name is Joey…Joey castle. Not Lucas. Isabella over there is-"
"Would you not disclose that information?!" Ahana asked.
"Uhh…sure?" Joey leaned back and began thinking. "So I hear yo have a curse on you. Mind telling me how that happened?" Joey asked.
There was a long silence in the room, th air grew cold. "Creepy." Ahana said under her breath. "I…I'm not all to sure, but…everything weird started happening once I got my stuffed animal from the lady." Harvey said.
(Lady?) Joey sat up an leaned in. "What lady?" He asked.
"She watches over the kids at the foster home. She comes to my room every night to make sure I'm good with food or even company." Harvey explained.
"I'll be honest with you," Joey began. "That's not a woman. Let's say your curse truly do begin when you received the bear, that means the jinn involved with Mandy is connected to the woman or is the woman in a human shape. Most-likely, the jinn wanted to scout out a kid it could use. But why you guys? I'm sure it's because…well, you have a lot of trauma. Easy to control and use." Joey explained.
"How the hell did you even meet Mandy?" Ahana asked.
"Oh, her…one day she pulled me to the side and simply showed me the jinn. The jinn went on to say how it knew me and even showed me proof of it having a curse on me." Harvey sighed.
"How so?" Joey asked.
"I had a hamster. It said it would kill it within two days. Then it happened."
"That doesn't necessarily mean-"
"No. He's correct." Joey interrupted. "The jinn knew that it was something precious to you. Most jinns, when wanting to or are cursing someone, don't know the person's treasure. The fact the jinn knew what your treasure was, indicates that it was watching you for sometime. What about Mandy? Her parents? Have you seen them-"
"She's also in the foster home." Harvey said.
Joey stood up immediately and cracked his neck. (A jinn who curses kids there? No, there's more to it than that. The jinn…I don't sense its presence when around the school. It must also be a master at hiding its energy. However, unlike humans, powerful jinns themselves suck at such a feat. I think we're dealing with an medium-level. But the creepy thing is…I believe the jinn is possibly-)
"What are you thinking about?!" Ahana asked.
"Nothing. I need you to sneak in and stay one night in the foster home, okay?" Joey asked Ahana.
"Uhh…okay?"
"Good. Tell me if anything goes down tonight."
"There's one more thing, Joey." Harvey gasped. As if he were holding it in.
"What's up?"
"The jinn…it always calls itself: a soldier."
(A soldier! I remember Ahana's words…she warned me off such power).
******
"Yeah, Cursed soldiers. I've only heard rumors of them, but I know we don't have to worry about that right now, Joey-boy."
"What are cursed soldiers, Ahana?"
"Cursed soldiers are two of many locked away souls that th clans have hidden deep within the earth. These souls are families that served th clans, but someone in that family committed terrible crimes against the clan. Causing them to be executed an put to their deaths, but before they were killed, th leader of the clan at the time placed a curse on those who committed crimes against the clan. Wanna know what that curse is, Joey-boy?"
"I'll assume it was to come back as a soldier and serve the clan to makeup for their crimes against th clan?"
"Bingo!!" Ahana laughed as she patted Joey on his head. "Though…it's interesting. Only a jinn can curse a human. No one ever…wonders how a human can curse another one in a spiritual way. But…anyways, that's enough of that. I don't really care. They aren't part of my goals or dreams. However…I do truly believe…those crimes weren't crimes, but a tactic to put fear into the families. Who knows though." Ahana shrugged as she began to walk off.
"Ahana…why are you telling me this?" Joey asked as he walked behind her. "Because you'll need it, Joey. I have…such high hopes for you. Not because you're my student, but because…you're very special and important for what I'm gonna do. Thank you, Joey."
******
Joey snapped out of his thoughts and sat back down. "A cursed soldier." He whispered. Ahana's eye moved over to Joey. (A cursed soldier?)
Ahana closed her eyes and began trying to download the information on the name.
"Ahana." Joey said.
Ahana quincly opened her eyes. "Yes?"
"Stick with the idea. I need you to go tonight to the faster care. Let me know what you see. I'm…gonna do my own mission."
******
Jackson pinned the low-level jinn to the ground, stabbing it through the heart with his bright red sword. "The number of jinns have risen. I wonder why that is?"
"Hard to tell why. It could have something to do with that energy we felt." Wraith added. Jackson removed his sword from the jinn and gave Wraith a glare. "Why are you giving me that look?" She asked him. "You still…haven't told me about your little friend." Jackson said as he cut down another low-level that jumped through the darkness of the hallway. "Oh…well, you don't have to worry-"
Jackson took down another one. The force from his swing, caused powerful winds that cutoff Wraith while she was talking. "Not worry?" Jackson asked as he put his sword away. "He touched you, Wraith. A real man wouldn't-"
"Jackson…it's fine. I'm okay. You'll be the first person I tell if anything goes down!" Wraith said with a smile and thumbs-up.
"Promise?"
"Promise!"
Jackson rubbed his hand through Wraith's long black hair. "I just want you safe. Nothing more."
******
"AHAHAHA!!! You're kidding me!!" Lily laughed as Amber struggled to pull th fish from the tank.
Amber turned red from embarrassment. "D-don't laugh at me you loud mouth child!!" Amber shouted.
"You were close. Just reach in there and grab th sucker!" Lily laughed. "Do not tell me what to do!" Amber yelled back. Amber reach into tank once again. The massive fish leaped out of the water and landed on the ground. "AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!" Lily fell down an began rolling on the floor. "S-she can't even hold a fish!!! She's scared of a damn fish!!!" Lily kept on laughing, angering Amber even more. "Why don't you try it?"
"Hey, I'm not the one who's scared of a fish, Amber. You need a man so bad." Lily sighed as she rolled her eyes. "And you need to respect your superiors!" Amber shouted back.
Lily and Amber left the building and began walking through the town. "Any finding of Joey and the Ahana girl?"
"Haven't heard anything, Lily. I thought we told you at the meeting that the clans would take matters into their own hands. It's a shame, but we've no choice."
"What if we did have a choice?" Lily asked. Amber stopped walking and turned her attention towards Lily. "I'm listening."
"I'm sure you know about the annual spiritual party. One of the biggest events in the state! Due to the rise of jinns throughout the country, it's fair to say there will be a large amount on such a spiritual night. I have reason to believe Joey and Ahana will be there. I also think the clans know it."
"I mean…I agree there will be a high number of jinns that night. In that case, we can send some of our slayers to guard the area of the large party. But…I can't say we know for sure if Joey or Ahana would go to such an event. How would the clans know?" Amber asked.
"Well…they know the jinn slayer corporation is looking for them. Where's some of the places we've never even thought of looking? The answer is…a school. These kinds of parties have people around my age. I bet the two are trying to blend in as much as possible with society to avoid the jinn slayer cooperation. If my theory is correct…it's safe to assume they'd even go to the spiritual party. Not because they want to…but because that's where we would least expect it. I also doubt they'll assume we'd even be there or know about it." Lily explained.
"Hmm…perhaps I'll have some words with Astor and Rock." Amber said as they continued their walk.
******
Night had came…the cold winds and the light snow falling from the dark sky. Malice sat on a throne made of human flesh and body parts. Malice looked out of the window to see th pure white snowflakes slowly falling from the sky and landing on the red-like ground outside. Malice stood up and floated over to the window. "Snow." He whispered softly to himself. The door to th room swung open, as a woman came in and kneeled to the tall and intimidating jinn.
"Can I assist you with anything else, Malice?" She asked.
"Lelani. A name of Hawaiian origin. Means heavenly flower or royal child of heaven. A beautiful name with beautiful meaning. I like meaning. Everything in this world has meaning. The snow…the snow outside even has meaning. For some reason…I'm fascinated with simply laying on the ground, letting the snow just fall all around me. It's almost like moving through space with millions of little meteors passing by you. It's a rather beautiful sight." Malice explained as he placed his hand on the window.
"Sir…what is it you're trying to tell me?"
"All I'm trying to say…is I like meaning. No matter how cruel and selfish I can truly be." Malice said as he turned back around and sat down on his throne. "Call in Beta. I have information she wants to hear." Malice ordered Lelani. "Of course, sir-"
"Lelani." Malice interrupted. "Yes, sir?"
"You aren't my servant or a slave to anyone. Reframe from calling me sir. As of this moment, I don't want you to do anything else for me. You've done enough. Do you…want me to set you free from this hell?"
"….please-"
A red line was drawn in front of Malice using his jinn energy. Leilani's head was sliced clean off as her body tumbled to the ground. "Poor children." Malice sighed.
Beta opened the door and walked over Lelani's body. "Disgusting." She sighed. "What is it? Finally have some information on the location of Joey and Ahana?"
"Oh, that's her name. Ahana. Who's stronger?" Malice asked. As he picked the flesh from his teeth using his claws. "Ahana is stronger than Joey. Why is it important-"
"I like meaning. Ahana's stronger. I'd like to hunt her instead."
"We want Joey over Ahana." Beta said.
"And I want Ahana over Joey. Don't worry, Beta. After I…consume Ahana…I'll get Joey for you. It's just been so long…since I've tested my strength in a good fight." Malice chuckled. "I know where they are headed. I only ask you…is it fine if there are casualties? Such as civilian lives?"
"We do not care how it gets done, Malice. Hell, whenever we release you, you can do as you please." Beta said as she walked up to the window and also looked out at the snow.
A grin appeared across Malice's face. "Even…jinn slayers?"
"Screw the slayers. Honestly. Kill them all if you want. Do what you must to lure Joey and Ahana out. Then again, you seem to have information on their whereabouts. Why kill jinn slayers?"
"Because…killing is fun."
******
Ahana and Harvey both were laying in bed. Harvey was on his side, facing away from Ahana, while Ahana had her back turned also. "Are you awake, Harvey?" Ahana asked while she played with her hair. "Yeah…I'm awake." He replied.
"Oh…okay, good. I know you don't really know me enough, but…I find it comforting having someone lay with me." Ahana said as she now twisted her hair around her finger. "You an your brother never slept in the Sam bed? Even when younger?!" Harvey asked.
"No. To be honest, I'm a little scared of being alone. I don't mean laying in the dark kind of thing, but…dying alone. Dying alone with no one to care for me or be around. That's the worst kind of death."
"I think any death is the worst." Harvey laughed.
"Yeah,but loneliness physically and mentally…is a different kind of pain. That's one of my dreams once I leave this world. To be surrounded by friends and family whenever it's my time. Which is why…I really enjoy being at school. Being just a little free."
"I know what you mean. Being here all day gets lonely. Just sit here in this box and…look at a damn wall."
Ahana turned over and just looked at Harvey's head. "Harvey…"
"Hmm?" Harvey asked as he also turned his body. The two locked eyes, as Ahana kept on playing with her hair nervously. "I wanna thank you. F….for tolerating me." Ahana said. "Tolerating? Haha, nah, you're amazing. I only…acted that way towards you to stop Mandy or the jinn from causing harm to you. They…for some reason…have interest in you, Isabella."
"Don't worry about me. My only concern is to break you free from-"
There was a knock at Harvey's door. Ahana quickly jumped out of bed and hid underneath his bed.
(All I have to do is simply look at her! And I'll be able to determine if she's a jinn or not. This will prove if Harvey is truly cursed and…if the bear is-)
The door swung open. A woman wearing bright red high heels walked into view. Ahana couldn't see the woman's face or outfit. No jinn energy came from the woman. (What's the meaning of this?! Then how…how does the bear have energy? I'm certain it's a cursed object. Given to him- no, no…calm down Ahana. Harvey already said she said it came from his parents. It's a damn trick, but…something's off. If that's the case, could it really be true that she's a normal woman and actually knows the bear is from his parents?! Did the bear come before or after the curse was placed upon Harvey?)
Ahana's mind thought of all the possibilities of what was happening. But…for just a fraction and only that small millisecond, Ahana noticed a source of jinn energy that came from the woman. (I get it. I believe Joey was thinking about this before I cut him off. Let's say Mandy is the first one cursed by the soldier…could there possibly be someone else in charge? This woman…is remarkable at hiding her energy. Could she…be the ACTUAL soldier? And the one who cursed th jinn, making it curse Mandy and Harvey? Like a damn linked curse!)
"How are you feeling tonight?" She asked in a smooth tone.
"I'm okay. Thank you for alway checking on me." Harvey said.
The woman walked past the bed and fixed th blinds. "Do you smell that?" The woman asked, her nose twitching. "Smells like perfume." She added. "Harvey…was…a girl in here recently?" She asked, her voice now slightly more serious and deep. "Huh?! A girl? No, why would someone come in my room?"
The woman looked down at the bed. (Is she…) the woman got on one knee and looked underneath th bed to find no one. (Must be my imagination.) she thought.
"HOLY!!! I HAD NO IDEA I COULD TELEPORT!! WOW!!!" Ahana laughed as she was upside down hanging from a tree branch. "Time to give the information to Joey!"
******
Joey stood quietly near his old home. He wore a dark hoodie that covered his face. (The spiritual party. I need to attend and find the girl I'm looking for. But…I have reason to believe that the jinn has cursed multiple people, having them all on the sam curse. I also believe…that people at the party are in danger. But I know just who would take drastic measures. This will be interesting.) Joey thought as he turned his back and began walking away.
Joey placed his hand on the ground. "It's been some time, but I can bring it out somedays." Joey's energy crackled around him in a black and red aura. One horn bursted from his scalp, his powers overflowing.
******
With incredible speed and power, Joey had reached his destination. A destination at which he heard through Lily's conversations when he listened to her talk amongst the jinn slayers. This was…the home of the dark clan.
******
"Mistress…there's someone who you should see! Please!" The man said as he kneeled to Sasha. "Yeah, I see him already. I'll be out in one minute. Leave him at the front entrance.
******
Sasha rolled her neck as the entrance to the clan had began to open. She could see a man standing outside the entrance, his long black hoodie covering his facial features and body. The snow in the background gave Joey a reaper-like feeling in Sasha's eyes.
"Joey Castle!!" Sasha said as she tossed her arms in the air. "What…a dumb choice you've just made." Sasha snapped her fingers, as a large army of fighters surrounded the gates.
"I'm not here to cause harm-"
"Oh, but I want to harm you. Don't you know…just how valuable you are to me? To the angels?"
"Nah. I don't care to be honest. All I wanna know…is what's with this hidden agenda?"
Sasha smirked at Joey and gave him a surprised look. "Look at you Joey! Trying to act like a grown-up! It's cute." Sasha laughed as she reached behind her back. "I know…the clans would steep so low as to work with jinns. The enemy-"
"YOU…are the enemy. You need to disappear, Joey. If jinns can help with that, then we will use them as we see fit to make sure that it happens! You have no…power here or anywhere. You're just a pathetic…hehe…child."
"Figures. That's all I needed to know. Therefore, I can blame his curse and the girls curse…on you and the mighty clan. There hasn't been any jinns in the area, but whenever that large amounts of energy came in that one night, the natural balance had shifted. There are even more jinns. But before the energy came, Harvey was already cursed, which makes me believe you guys placed a jinn there…somehow knowing where we'd be. No jinn dares to step foot in the same place as Ahana. But they're getting more cocky because you all have a monster locked up somewhere, I guess."
(He's intelligent. That is…Ahana's student after all.)
"We didn't place any jinn."
"Right…and I'm not Joey Castle."
"Ahahaha! You're funny! But…I'm serious. We don't even know where you're located, Joey Castle." Sasha explained as she quickly went into deep thought. (Does this mean that the other cursed soldier has found Joey and Ahana?! That would explain why Malice is confident in finding them. Cursed soldiers are almost like the same being. If one sense one thing, so does the other. It would act the same if one found what it was programmed to look for…allowing Malice to also know the location or plans of the target…because the other soldier knows!) a smirk appeared across Sasha's face as she took a deep breath.
"Then there's no need to worry. Joey and Ahana are as good as dead." She whispered. "I'm not sure on what it is you're talking about, but we look forward to seeing you soon…Joey." Sasha added, looking Joey directly in his emotionless eyes. (They shouldn't know of the spiritual party…or even suspect it. I have to attend it. The curse I'm trying to break counts on it! Ahana…I'll have to make sure she stays in on Friday. Just case they do know about it.)
"Mark my words, Sasha Dark. I'll have your head in the palm of my hands when I'm done." Joey threatened.
"I look forward to it, Castle."
******
"Hehe…AHAH…AHAHAHAHA!!! Friday night…IS GONNA BE A SLAUGHTER!!!"
Next chapter: before the petal bullets.