Trials of the Cursed

Chapter 2:

-Thom-

The deep, mechanical voices were screaming inside Thom's head. They went on throughout the night, roaring "KILL", "LOST", and many other unexplainable messages. All Thom could see in his dream were occasional movements of blood red circles. After a seemingly endless time of horrible dark screaming, all was silent. Blue, red and white stars suddenly illuminated in a bright light. Thom heard, in the deepest voice possibly imaginable, "SUFFER US IN THIS WORLD, SERVE US IN THE NEXT, PATHETIC HUMAN." Thom awoke, gasping for air, shaking from the fearsome nightmare.

"…I can't do this anymore tonight. I don't know what I'm doing, trying to get any sleep…"

Thom spent the rest of the night preparing concoctions, soaps and essential oils to sell the next day. "Dent is asleep upstairs…" he thought. "…some of them get all the luck."

Thom looked outside and saw the first beams of sunlight reflecting off his shop mirror.

-Oz-

Oz walked into the shop, quietly, so he wouldn't wake Thom. However, the moment he began walking upstairs, he heard a voice call out from the back. "Hey, you're back."

Oz and Flint ran into the front room, Flint's Shadow Claw at the ready. Thom emerged from the back room, and they backed down. "Couldn't sleep?" Oz asked. "Yeah…couldn't sleep." Thom returned. Dent bounced down the stairs, uncurled in mid-air and landed softly on the ground. He then rolled over to Thom, and opened up, wanting to be picked up and set on the desk. Thom helped him up immediately. Flint climbed up, and the two began rolling Dent's ball to one another.

Oz saw this, and was reminded of the friendship he had with these three beings, and how he wouldn't give it up for the world.

"Ready for another business day, bro?" Thom asked. Oz shook his head yes and got behind the counter. He had the first shift, so Thom could try to catch up on a little bit of sleep.

It was seven o'clock, time to open shop. Oz walked over to the door and flipped the sign to say "open". He got behind the desk, and within seconds, the door was open.

Oz had to act like he was glad to have the customer around, but he couldn't even look up. "Welcome to Goldenrod Herbal Shop, how can I help you?" he had to look up now, even though he hated it. He rose his head, stopped, and couldn't turn away from her eyes.

This was the first time Whitney's eyes were fully visible…they were irresistible.

-Whitney-

"Whew…okay…"

Whitney dressed as attractively as she possibly could: denim short-shorts, a low-cut shirt, and a fully visible belly. One of them had had to be impressed. Today was her first day to impress her new friends.

"Thom would probably appreciate it…but Oz…I can't tell."

Whitney gathered up all of the courage she had in her, and walked in front of the shop's front glass wall, trying to look cute, in case one of them was watching. She walked in, suddenly thinking about Thom, and how he treated her better than Oz did. She suddenly began really hoping Thom was at the desk. However, she looked over to see Oz instead. Somehow, though, she felt happy to be in his presence. Her desire switched over to Oz.

"Welcome to Goldenrod Herbal Shop, how can I help you?" he said, still looking down. "(I have to look in his eyes. I have to know what kind of person he is.)" these thoughts were swarming around in her head as she walked up to him, hoping he looks up. It seemed like an eternity before he looked at her…but he finally did.

As their eyes connected, neither could look away from the other.

"Umm…hi…" Whitney was trying to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind.

"Hi…"

Whitney blushed uncontrollably at the fact that OZ of all people just talked to her. She felt dizzy from the excitement. She looked at Flint, rolling in circles with his feet over his shoulders. Somehow, despite it being the weirdest thing she had ever seen, she felt like it was a sign that she and the others were going to get along perfectly.