Free Cursed by Wendy Owens Page A

he heard Sophie’s voice shout from behind him.
    “Oh God,” Gabe groaned.
    “I knew it!” Sophie exclaimed.
    “Sophie, please,” Gabe pleaded, turning around to look her in the eyes.   It only took a second before he saw the glimmer of red again.   Her auburn hair flared out all around her face as she quickly approached them.
    “Neru, get out of here!” Gabe shouted, seeing Sophie was not in her right mind.
    “Oh no, no, no, my darling Gabe.” Sophie bellowed, venom dripping from her lips.   As Neru turned to run, Sophie raised her hand and without hesitation muttered, “Paralysis.”
    Neru froze where she stood, unable to move.
    “Sophie, no!”   Gabe shouted, running to Neru’s side.   “Oh my god!   What is wrong with you?   Why would you ever cast on someone like that?”
    “You made me do it, Gabe!   I warned you.   We are meant to be.”   Sophie said in a callous voice, no remorse present.
    “Sophie, you’re crazy!   Just stop and think about this for a minute.   Have you ever done anything like this before?   Of course not.   I know something has to have happened to make you act this way.”
    “Shut up, Gabe!   You can’t talk to me like that!” Sophie screamed, clearly becoming overwhelmed by her anger.
    Michael’s door opened.   A moment later he and Uri were in the hall, trying to make sense of what was unfolding before them.
    “There, Sophie, how about you explain to Michael what’s going on?   Tell him how casting on other students isn’t crazy and see if he agrees with you.”   Gabe pressed the unraveling Sophie.
    “I mean it, Gabe!   You better shut up!” Sophie screeched.
    “What is going on out here?” Michael demanded.
    “Sophie has lost it!   That’s what!” Gabe replied, glaring back at the girl he had come to care so much for.
    “I warned you.”   Sophie shouted.   She raised her hands.   Looking directly at Gabe, she started to say, “Offendo un-.”
    “Somnus.”   Before the spell could completely leave Sophie’s lips, Michael had stepped in with a sleep spell.   One moment Sophie was preparing to cast shock wave on her beloved and the next she hit the ground, a lifeless pile.
    “Uri, get her inside.” Michael commanded as Gabe stood there, speechless.   His mouth still hanging open in disbelief at the thought that the girl he loved was willing to cast on him.
    “Gabe, are you alright?” Michael asked as he walked over to examine Neru.   But Gabe said nothing.
    “Uri, come back out here when you’re done.   I need you again.”   Michael bellowed.
    Walking to Gabe’s side, Michael put a hand on his shoulder and tried to bring him back into reality.
    “Yes sir?” Uri said, exiting Michael’s office.
    “I need you to take this poor girl to the infirmary.” Michael requested, motioning to Neru’s frozen form.
    “Neru.” Gabe finally said, breaking his silence.   “Her name is Neru.”
    “Yes, of course,” Michael added.   “Can you take Neru to the infirmary?”
    Uri nodded.   The next minute he was carrying the tiny body of Neru without much effort.
    “Gabe, we need to talk.”   Michael said, grabbing hold of his arm.
    Without a struggle, Gabe allowed Michael to usher him into his office.   Only feet away, he saw Dina and Raimie asleep on cots.   Across the room, Sophie slept on the couch.   She looked once again like Gabe’s peaceful angel.   Her skin glowed a soft pale white.   Gabe wished he could freeze this moment.
    “Are they alright?” Gabe inquired anxiously.
    “I’m afraid not.” Michael replied solemnly.
    “What’s wrong with them?”
    Michael looked down at the ground for a moment and then directly into Gabe’s eyes.   “They’re cursed.”
    Gabe couldn't help but gasp.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

    “Cursed?” Gabe felt his hands trembling as the word slipped past his lips.
    “Yes, Gabe.” Michael confirmed.   The darkness of the reality settled over them like a black cloak.
    “I don’t