12/21/21

…..

Cursed

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Wish Granted

…..

The boys aren't mind controlled anymore. They seem to be back to their normal selves, at least. In fact, there's no trace that the witch was here at all. All that remains of her is the letter she dropped when I hexed her. It was... easy.

Too easy.

I take a deep breath, hugging my shoulders to calm myself down. I'm shaking. I'm not even sure when the shaking started, but that's the least of my concerns right now. I'm much more worried about my powers. The blue glowing and the red hexes remind me too much of the other Witch, and what happened the last time I saw her. It's hard to believe that it has almost been a year since I visited the house where she held me captive. It still feels like yesterday. I'm still as bothered by what happened now as I was back then. Seeing my powers so clearly reflect hers has made me uneasy.

I'll never become Her. I refuse to be like Her.

The boys are staring. I swallow the lump in my throat, uncross my arms, and face them. As the leader, it's my duty to put on a brave face for my team. Even when I feel like breaking, everything I do is for them. They need to understand that. They need to forget what they saw.

"Jinx... what happened?" See-More asks, clearly in awe.

My resolve vanishes. I don't want to answer that question. Mammoth and Gizmo know, on some level. They understand that I keep my powers on a tight leash. They understand that control isn't always possible. But the fear in the witch's eyes? The fact that she understood what I am, even though I don't understand it myself? It makes me uneasy, and honestly it should scare the others as well. But I can't just tell them that. I can't undo their respect for me, when I've spent so many years of my life trying to gain that respect. My team is finally just that - *my* team. I don't want to lose them to fear.

The doorbell rings, interrupting any response I could have given. We all stare hesitantly in the direction of the door, as if answering it will let another witch into our hideout. The fear isn't unfounded, in my eyes. We'll have to be more cautious with our security measures from now on.

"I'll answer it," I say, stopping to pocket the letter the witch dropped.

The boys trail after me like lost puppies, as though I'll somehow be able to protect them from whoever dares to intrude. After what they saw me do to the witch, I'm not sure if I understand their trust in me. Yes, it's true that I was strong enough to defeat her, but I'm shocked that they still want to be around me. I'm bad luck personified. If they're not careful, it could rub off on them.

I hesitate before opening the door. We really should've installed a peep hole. This whole incident is really a testament to how crappy our security was. I guess we were so caught up in the freedom that came from being out of Brother Blood's grasp that we forgot to be careful. We'll do better from now on. We have to. My team is counting on me. But that can wait. For now, I'll just have to face whoever is behind that door.

The answer shocks me to my core. The sight that greets me, battered and bruised, is Kyd Wykkyd. Angel's boyfriend. The one who was always at her side, doing nothing as she tormented us. The one who was worse than See-More, even. My stomach churns at the sight of him at all, but his injuries surprise me even more. Who could have done this? And why is he here, of all places? Is Angel coming for us?

Another familiar face, or rather, familiar faces, is Billy Numerous, yet another member of the Hive Academy who stayed behind with Angel. Several copies of him have materialized to carry Kyd Wykkyd, as evidently his injuries have left him unable to walk. One Billy Numerous is laying face down with Kyd Wykkyd on top of him like a makeshift gurney, with four more copies each carrying one of Stretcher Billy's limbs. This entire process, however, is useless because Kyd Wykkyd is in fact levitating. It would almost be funny if it weren't for the circumstances.

"What's going on?" I finally manage to ask.

Right Arm Billy speaks up. "Kyd Wykkyd and the scary lady got in a fight, so she beat him up real bad and kicked him out of their little clubhouse."

"We were hoping we could crash with you guys for a bit until we figure somethin' out," says Stretcher Billy, lifting his head for a moment before allowing it to drop limply again.

The boys are staring at me. I'm too shocked to actually look at them, but I can sense it. Their eyes are boreing holes into the back of my head, wondering what to do. I bite my lip, close my eyes, and sigh deeply. Is there anything else to do?

"Fine. Come in," I say, opening the door beyond the small crack I had allowed previously.

With a wild screech of excitement the Billys rush inside like the stampede of wildebeests that killed Mufasa, completely forgetting Kyd Wykkyd in their haste.

"I call dibs on the couch!"

"No fair Billy! I was here first!"

"Yeah right Billy! You're slower than molasses!"

I sigh again, repeatedly hitting my head against the door-frame.

"Jinx?"

Resting my head against the door-frame, I peek at Kyd Wykkyd out of the corner of my eye. He really does look injured, even if he is still able to use his powers. Its almost like he's in some kind of magical coma.

"Mammoth, See-More, drag him to the med bay. We'll see if we can figure out what to do for him."

I close my eyes, trying my best to remember anything I may have learned about Kyd's powers, but nothing comes to mind. Maybe the others will think of something.

"Jinx?" Private asks. There's something different about his voice. It sounds... softer. Less harsh, maybe. And this is definitely the first time he's called me by my name since we got here.

Standing upright, I tilt my head at him. "What is it?"

Private looks around sheepishly. "Can we talk somewhere private, after all of this is over?"

...

"What do you mean, you're leaving!" Gizmo shouts, pounding his fist against the table.

I narrow my eyes at Gizmo, and he shrinks back in his seat. Turning back to Private, I nod my head for him to continue.

Private plays with his glove nervously, the boldness of his soldier facade having completely melted away.

"I already talked to Jinx. It's just... seeing that witch made me realize something. Guys... I miss my mom. I miss her a lot. And when I left for the HIVE, I wasn't on the best terms with her. I just want to make things right and be there for my baby brother again. I can't keep doing this anymore."

The others stare at him in shock, unable to say anything.

"He's right, you know," I say hesitantly.

"But when we joined the HIVE, didn't we all swear to leave our families behind?" See-More asks, tilting his head in confusion.

"That's what I mean," I say, blinking away the tears that threaten to fall.

I straighten my posture, staring them in the eyes. Vulnerable, not weak. That's the key here.

"Maybe it doesn't seem like it, but I would give anything to go home that easily. It's not as easy for me as it is for him, though. Since he has this chance, shouldn't we support him?"

Mammoth makes no such attempt to hold back his tears, clearly thinking of his sister.

"You have a little brother?" Mammoth manages to ask.

Private nods his head. "Yeah. And I miss him every day."

Mammoth lunges forward, wrapping Private in a massive bear hug. If the others were shocked before, they're practically electrocuted now.

"Go home," Mammoth blubbers. "I don't even care anymore. Just go back to him!"

Private manages a smile. "Thanks, big guy. I'll miss you, but..."

"We understand," Gizmo finally admits as Private wriggles out of Mammoth's grasp.

"We'll miss you, Private," See-More says awkwardly.

Private shakes his head. "Grant. Just call me Grant."

A chill runs up my spine as I'm reminded of the lessons we were taught so adamantly at the HIVE Academy. Once you choose your new name, there's no going back. There shouldn't be a Grant anymore, just like there isn't a Linda or Mallory anymore. But... if Private's going home, doesn't that mean he's already breaking one of Headmistress's rules? She won't be happy when she hears about this, but... when will she hear about this? She's gone, isn't she?

I bite my lip, desperate for any form of distraction. I spot the letter that the witch dropped sitting on the edge of the table and slide it in front of me.

"Let's open this before you go," I mumble, unfolding the letter.

My brow furrows as I scan the contents of the letter. I read it once, twice before the words sink in. My hands shake with excitement, and I nearly drop it.

"What is it?"

"It's from the Brotherhood of Evil. They're recruiting!"

….

Merry Christmas everyone! Not only is it the holiday season, but that also means winter break for yours truly! Plus my major has changed slightly, which will hopefully mean a lighter course-load and fewer heavy expectations weighing down on my mental health, which in turn will hopefully lead to more time for writing. As always we will see if this actually has any bearing on my writing schedule in practice rather than just in theory, but hopefully things will be better from now on.

Any guesses for who Private Hive is supposed to be here? It's a pretty common theory for his identity, if that helps ;)

Quote of the day:

"Oh Eddie, if I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am now." - Clark Griswold, Christmas Vacation

May the odds be ever in your favor,

SpectrobesPrincess