38 years later

In front of a little hut a strong fire burns, being fed wood by the four people gathered around it. Three of them seem to be in their late teens, one of them, a woman, is definitely much older, something emphasized by her graying blonde hair and slight wrinkles under her eyes. Her eyes themselves are actually rather youthful, a rare colour combination of blue and gray. They are full of life and energy, stronger than the fire reflecting in them.

The other three all have charcoal black hair which comes to complete contrast with their ivory skin tones and light gray, almost white eyes. In the dark they sparkle, like the eyes of hungry wolves, which looks even scarier in front of the fire.

The older woman, a woman called Serene Nolan is telling them stories. Those stories they already know, very well in fact, but need to hear again as this is not a simple fairytale, it's the story of their lives.

They listen carefully to their grandmother's narration, Jasper Wolf especially, the 20 year-old of the group. He is soon to be 21 and he knows very well he will not live any longer than that unless the curse is broken.

He had devoted himself for the past 4 years to breaking that very curse, but hadn't achieved anything. All he could do was damn the day his great-grandparents made that deal with the Grim Reaper to have a child, like a loan to be paid back with interest their souls.

He could only hope the chosen one was among them, although he didn't think so. You had Helena, the weird girl that lived in her own world and didn't really talk and to be honest, no one seemed to know who she actually was or if she cared that her life would end in two years.

Then there was Rick, the immature little brat who didn't take anything seriously and thought it was cool to turn into a wolf every so often; it had started happening only a year ago, give him some time.

Serene was now talking about her daughter, Morita.

'I found out I was pregnant during the first month. I was going to tell your grandfather but then he told me about the curse and that at least it would die with him. I never saw him again, I didn't want him to know the prophesy was coming true. It's already taken my Morita. When I heard about the chosen one, I was convinced it was her, but I was wrong. I'm really sorry it's not you Jasper, it could easily be one of your siblings though, so if there is anything I can do to help let me know.'

No one spoke for a while, until Helena decided to break the silence.

'Granny, if mother knew that the curse was going to be passed on to her children and that she was going to die at 21, why did she have us?'

The woman laughed.

'Oh you see, Morita was a wild spirit, hungry for life. She wanted to experience everything and from very young she lived each day as if it was her last. At sixteen she found out she didn't have much time, I hadn't told her anything before, I wanted her to have a normal life, but at that age I couldn't hide it from her anymore. She then started doing anything she wanted, she quit school and would just roam around. She was also very much in love with this boy. Despite being wild, Morita wanted such things as to create her own family and all that. With this boy they had discussed marriage before but for way after their twenties. When she found out she didn't have that time, she wanted to do it then but the boy was still at school. Of course he would refuse. Anyway, one day she got pregnant. Initially I thought it was on purpose, but she reassured me it was an accident. That's why later she had you two', she said looking at Rick and Helena, 'so there were more chances to be a chosen one.'

Jasper remained silent, his head tilted downwards.

'How would we know who's the chosen one? I mean, I've tried anything I could come up with to find a way to solve this, I've spent hours in the library reading books about such subjects but nothing was helpful! I've tried a bunch of thing I read but nothing. How would I know if I'm doing it right?'

Serene shrugged her shoulders unable to help.

'I can only suggest you involve your siblings more in this quest, after all it is their problem too. You should be united the three of you.'

'I don't think there's a point in fighting this', spoke Helena, 'Mother didn't, she just made sure to enjoy her life. Whatever is going to happen, is going to happen, it can't be changed. Fate is fate...'

'Just SHUT UP!' shouted Jasper as he quickly stood up, now very irritated. 'You know what I have noticed? No one tried to fight it this far! Granddad just killed himself, mother succumbed to it and you two are too lazy to get of your asses and maybe, who knows, HELP ME!'

There was a deafening silence after this, the other three looking at each other awkwardly.

'Jasper, we never said we wouldn't help you', said Rick timidly.

'We will do anything in our powers to save you', added Helena.

Jasper now calm sat down.

'Sorry for that. It's just the whole thing is very frustrating. I don't know what to do, what I'm supposed to do, I'm working blind here.'

Serene was biting her lip. She looked at him compassionately.

'Look, I wasn't sure this person could help, in fact I was convinced for the opposite, but I guess it's worth a try.'

All three of them looked at her with interest. The woman took a deep breath.

'Erasme Zira. She's the medium your great-grandparents went to when they couldn't have a child and the one your grandfather went to to find out how to break the curse. She was only helpful in the first case but she lives in the town centre if you're interested.'

They looked at each other with an expression of joy mixed with relief.

'Thanks very much Granny!' said Helena.

'Great, we'll go see if she knows anything', said Jasper as he got up and picked up his back pack. 'You two coming?'

Helena nodded.

'Now?' asked Rick.

'Yes now, cause I only have 3 days of life ahead of me so I really can't afford to wait, so yes now!'

He reluctantly stood and picked up his own belongings.

'See you tomorrow Granny!' waved Helena as they walked away.

Serene waved back smiling.

'Good luck kids!'

They turned towards the town and headed in its direction. Together they walked in hope of freeing themselves from a curse too heavy to carry, one they shouldn't be carrying, a burden that was not their own.