A/N: Hi! The next chapter is here. This chapter is short: it was much longer at first, but I cut it in half because it was too long. The other half will be in chapter 3, so an update will come very soon…I just have to rewrite it on the computer (I write the story on paper!). Hope you like it!

Chapter 2: Nobody wants you

My reflection in the mirror was indeed very horrifying. I couldn't really move while in that situation because my current look shocked me deeply.

I had, in place of my golden eyes, two black holes. They looked somehow like voids that spun slowly on the inside, disturbing me even more as it seemed to drain any emotion that could show up on my face. I noticed my skin was paler than usual. I wasn't that pale, but right now, I looked practically dead.

A drop of sweat I didn't realized had formed dropped from my chin. There seemed to be something else strange about my new "self", but what? I couldn't exactly place my finger on it; though I had a feeling it was my mouth. It looked unable to smile, like I had lost all of my usual happiness. The only smile I could manage to do was an ugly, pained smirk, with the corners of my mouth twisted upwards slightly, but it seemed like a tormented, fake and sad smile to me. It was like I was suffering on the inside or about to cry.

I turned around, finally ending my contemplating. I also noticed that I had some scratches and bruises on my skin, and that my red sweatshirt was teared at some parts. The whole gang seemed to look as scared as me as they looked at me from across the room.

"So?..." I asked hesitantly. "H-How do I look?"

Kris made a face, but she looked away instantly. Mom too. So Prof. Elm decided to talk for them.

"W-Well, it's not that bad, Gold." he said, rubbing the back of his head. "Those cuts and scratches will heal themselves in no time if you spray some potion on it."

"I was talking about my…" I cringed at the word. "…voids."
"Oh."

The man looked at his foot solemnly, as tough someone had just died. "Well, I don't know." He said quietly. "I know that Gastly are really well known for their CURSE attack, but…"

"Where are you going with that?" I asked impatiently, slightly annoyed. "You mean…" That's not good. "Yes" he whispered, then got up.

"The CURSE will last until the Pokémon that used it faints or dies. This means that you will be CURSEd until you defeat that Gastly."

My mom gasped. "…Prof. Elm?" I asked. "Do you know the effects of CURSE on a human?" He shook his head in negation.
"That's the point. Sure, I know what CURSE does when certain Pokémon—like Gastly—use it on other Pokémon, but I've never seen any human who's been CURSEd before you."

I sat down on the bed, sad and dejected. "Then what should I do?"

"I think…" My mom suddenly spoke up. She took a deep breath. "I think you should go to the Poké Center in CherryGrove City, baby. Then ask the nurse if she can do something for you."

She smiled gently at me, but I wasn't sure. "But…What if it can't be cured?" She put her hand on my shoulder. "Gold…you know we all love you, right? But…"

I held my head in my hands. "…But you don't want to catch the CURSE. You're scared of me, right." I got up, tears dwelling up in my—urk.—voids. Was that even possible?

Everyone had a look of sadness on their face, but they all didn't budge to convince me to stay. Not even Kris, my best friend.

Because I was right. They wanted me to leave.

I grabbed my Teddiursa plushie defensively. "Leave my room!" I shouted and they all jumped. "I want to at least enjoy some more time in the place I've grown at. You can't take that from me."

I sniffed and sobbed. Prof. Elm and my Mom walked outside the door, lowering their heads. I could hear Mom crying and Elm trying to comfort her.

Kris was the only one remaining in the room.

I looked at the blue-haired girl. She looked at me silently. Without a sound, she hugged me tight in her arms as I continued crying.

"I'm sorry…" she whispered in my ear. Kris was crying too.

She released me and left the room. I closed the door. I rolled up in a ball, under the covers, holding my Teddiursa plush against my chest. I stayed like that all night and tried to sleep…sleep…sl….