A Stroke Of Originality

Before reading this, please make sure you check out Curse so that you’re not confused. This is what happened before Curse, and how the beast came about.

 

“That witch isn’t welcomed here!”

“Kill her!”

“Burn the hut.”

“That baby will be the death of us all.”

The townfolk organized outside while Brenner tried to keep them from entering the hut. Laria crawled towards the center of the hut screaming in pain as she reached her hand down between her legs, checking on the status of her baby.

“It’s c-o-m-i-n-g!” Laria cried.

“There’s no other option we have to do this here.” Brenner gulped as he made haste to her side.

“Let’s run!” Laria screamed.

“You’re in no shape to run, push!”

More squalling came, drowning out the rallying townfolk as Laria pushed the baby out. Blood splattered on the ground as the child’s head exited Laria’s body.

“I see it! Keep pushing, it’s coming.” Brenner encouraged.

With a few unrelenting pushes, the newborn fell into Brenner’s hands, drawing its first breath.

“It’s a boy! we have a beautiful baby boy!” he cheered.

Laria laid on the floor, exhausted when the smell of smoke sent her back into a panic.

“Fire!” she yelled.

Brenner hastily placed the infant into his mother’s arms. “You have to get out of here now! Run into the forest and don’t look back.”

“No! I won’t leave you!” Laria sobbed.

“I’ll be right behind you.” he gave a smile.

“You’re lying!” she cried.

He leaned in and gave her a kiss on her forehead when one of the townsmen made their way into the hut with his weapon drawn. Brenner turned and kicked him back, drawing his sword.

“Go!” he directed.

Laria cried as she held the newborn tightly and quickly made her way towards the back of the hut. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see Brenner holding off anyone who had entered, and hoped her love would make it out alive. Tripping over fallen trees and cutting herself on branches, Laria ran until she couldn’t hear the sound of fighting, and chanting. She ran until she came upon a lake, she looked around for alternative routes, but there was no other option but to cross it. Grabbing a nearby stick, she felt around in the water as she took a step trying to avoid any dropoffs. The water began to get higher with each stride.

At last a gleamer of hope as Laria reached the end of the lake and came upon an old log cabin. Quickly exiting the water, she ran into the cabin and fell on the floor sighing as she comforted her child. Wet, tired, and in pain, Laria felt herself slowly dozing until a sound in the distance caught her attention, putting her body back into alert mode.

Sheltering her infant inside one of the closets, Laria went to take a look out one of the windows to see what was out there in the dark forest. Squinting out the window, Laria could see a small tourch cutting through the darkness. She crouched down behind the window, trying not to be seen until she heard a familiar voice.

“Laria!” Brenner yelled through the forest. “Are you out there?” he continued.

Laria’s eye’s widened as the voice became clearer, and there was no mistaking it, it was her lover. Without hesitation, she ran out the door revealing herself.

“I’m over here!” she beamed.

“Stay there! I’m coming to you,” he assured.

A sense of calmness came over Laria as she watched Brenner slowly make his way towards the lake. She couldn’t believe that he had made his way back to her, and that they could continue to be a family. Weeping into her hands, she let tears of joy fall from her eyes. When she gazed back over at Brenner, she could see a hawking figure walking up behind him.

“Watch out!” She yelled as loud as she could.

Brenner gave a confused look as he tried to make out what she was saying.

“Behind you!” She jumped and shouted.

He finally turned only to see Jaxon the town’s champion, sword pierce his chest. Laria bore witness to Brenners life being taken as his body dropped.

“Nooo!” she screeched.

Jaxon wasted no time as he leaped into the lake, making haste towards Laria. Noticing how fast he was moving, she ran back into the cabin slamming the door, and locking it. Looking around for anything sharp that she could defend herself with, she found a small dagger buried in a cabinet. Anger began to swell up inside of her as the dagger shook in her hand. There was not going to be any more running and no more hiding. It was time for her to become what the townsfolk wanted her to be. Time for her to do what she was being accused of doing. It was time for her to get back at the people who took her happiness from her.

The towns champion opened the door to see Laria staring out the window, a dagger plunged through her hand, and blood down her arm.

“More witchcraft?” Jaxon gibbed.

“Oh yes, champion,” Laria answered.

“It won’t work on me!” He shouted as he lunged.

Laria ripped the dagger from her hand, flicked her blood on his face, and mumbled a mantra. Jaxon immediately fell to his knees and became submissive. He tried to utter words, but nothing would come out. Pain overtook his ravaged body as it began to change.

“You will be a monster that will roam this forest, A beast that will kill, A curse to be passed on. My defender, my slave, for an eternity to come.” Laria avowed as she finished her spell. “Go my beast!”

Jaxon let out a howl as he raced back into the forest.

 

 

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. I received a request about writing more to the Curse story and decided to follow up on it. I hope you enjoyed the story. Leave a comment below if you did or didn’t like it, and let me know what I can do better.

 

Have a great day!