Hey everyone, I'm back. I'm really sorry for the delay, but with real life and some writers block getting in the way it's been difficult to write recently. So hopefully once this chapter is done, we can into the real stuff of the story. So just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Avery groaned in frustration as she kept her wrist lying still on the table in front of her. For the past half hour, Courage had been working tirelessly on trying to remove the bracelet securely fastened around her wrist. He tried prying it off with a screwdriver, but it only resulted in the screwdriver breaking. Tried to file it down, but the file merely rubbed itself useless as he had scraped at the bracelet ferociously. Even used a jackhammer of all things to try to break the bracelet off of the girl's wrist. He had also intended on using an industrial strength form of acid, but Avery had stopped that before it really happened. Nothing that they had tried had worked. Scattered all over the table were the broken tools that Courage had used, but had been unsuccessful with. No matter what they did, the bracelet wasn't even scratched.
Finally, Courage had run out of tool options and had wailed when he saw that the bracelet hadn't even been disturbed in the slightest.
Finally Avery sighed and said, "Forget it Courage. We've tried all the tools in the house and then some. This thing is stuck fast."
Courage growled and grabbed her wrist and trying chewing on the bracelet himself. All it resulted in was his teeth just shattering like glass and breaking into pieces.
"Oh my! Courage? Are you okay?" she asked.
Courage merely gave her a thumbs up and a smile revealing all of his broken teeth and shard of teeth. She had to admit, it was kind of amusing seeing the little dog being so optimistic, even when he was clearly in pain. She couldn't help but feel grateful for his assistance.
"It's okay boy. We're just going to have to figure something else out," she said and raised her wrist to get a better look at her bracelet.
It still gleamed in her eyes as the lamp in the room shone upon the thing and the gems still glistened within it. There had to be a way to get this thing off of her and one that didn't result in hurting her. Even though it didn't damage her skin, it had still hurt when Courage had tried to pry the thing off of her. They knew now that brute force was not going to get this thing off, but what else was there? Maybe someone with more knowledge on it could figure something out.
Maybe from someone who had previously owned it.
"Wait! That medium," Avery said to herself.
"Huh?" said Courage, clearly not knowing who she was talking about.
Avery looked back at him and said, "When you guys were coming to get me, I met this medium in town. She let me into her place and that is where I found this thing. She... she warned me to not wear it... great, now I feel stupid. Still, she must know a way to get it off. We just need to go see if she knows how to help."
Courage nodded and ran off to the den. He returned a moment with the keys to the truck and gave a little babble to her.
"Courage, we can't go now. It's already late and the last thing I want is to bother anyone this late at night," Avery said as she pointed at the clock which was approaching eleven in the evening.
She felt the bracelet pulsate a little, rubbing against the sensitive skin on her wrist. She let out a groaned and rubbed the skin around the bracelet as a small amount of pain shot through her wrist.
Courage didn't wait, he immediatly lifted her off the ground and carried her out of the farmhouse and to the truck.
"Hey! Courage, what the heck?" Avery said, but before she could do anything Courage started the engine and immediatly took off for town.
Avery looked back and said, "You could have at least let me get changed first."
The bracelet pulsated again, and she winced as she rubbed the skin around her wrist again. Courage saw this, but didn't turn around.
Within a few minutes, they were driving back into the town of Nowhere. Avery had to admit, the town looked a bit more chilling at night and she couldn't help but shiver at the sight between the buildings. The fact that the air was now much cooler than it had been earlier that day didn't help matters either. She went to rub her shoulder, only to remember that she was still only dressed in the nightgown her aunt had given her. All she could do was hope that no one was looking out at them and could see her right now. Last thing she needed was that kind of embarrassment in her life right now.
The truck drove around one corner and Avery looked out and found exactly what they were looking for. She could see the medium's wagon, shuttered up for the night and the stand the medium had been using before was now gone.
"There, that's her wagon right there. I guess we should see if she's in," Avery said as she pointed out the window.
Courage saw the wagon ahead and pulled up to it. Once they were parked up, Avery cautiously left the truck and wrapped her arms around her torso. The wind blew a little, billowing the skirt of her nightgown and made her shiver just a little bit.
"Let's just get this over with," she said.
Courage nodded and then knocked on the door to the cart. They waited for just a moment, but there was no answer. Courage knocked again on the door again (a little harder this time) and was, once again, treated with no answer. He gritted his teeth in frustration and then knocked on the door much harder than ever.
"Go away! Come back tomorrow," came the voice of the medium inside.
"That's her," Avery said and then knocked on the door herself.
"Hello miss, I'm the girl who came by here earlier today," Avery said.
She heard the medium growl in frustration as well and said, "As I said. Come. Back. Tomorrow. Now go away and let me rest."
Avery knocked again and said, "Please, you have to help. I... I ignored your advice. I put the bracelet on."
It was here that they finally heard movement coming from the inside of the cart as they could hear that the medium was making her way through the wagon towards the door. The door to the wagon cracked and the medium peeked out at them and set her eyes on Avery.
"My goodness you foolish girl. Have you no shame? Coming to me dressed like that," Shirley said with ire in her voice.
Avery looked down at herself and began to blush. It wasn't like she had really been given a chance to dress more properly before she had been dragged out of the house. She simply wrapped her arms around her person a little tighter in a vain attempt to cover up a little bit more.
"I'm really sorry, but I kind of panicked. I didn't listen to your advice," she said and raised her wrist. "And I put the bracelet on."
Shirley saw the bracelet on Avery and said, "YOU FOOLISH GIRL! I gave you one, just one simple instruction that no one could have messed up and you went and messed it up. I should be sealing you in one of my crystals now, simply for being so incompetent, let alone the dangers you may have just unleashed on the world."
Avery's heart began to race.
"I'm sorry okay. Look I didn't know what would happen. I thought you were just telling jokes, I had no way of knowing what was going to happen," she said in a panic.
Shirley's glare lowered and she said, "Perhaps. Possibly I could have elaborated a bit more on the dangers. Fine, I will see what I can do. But there is one thing you must do first."
Avery nodded and said, "What do you need?"
Shirley reached for something behind the door and then threw something at Avery's head. Avery caught it and let it unfurl in her hands. In her hands was a white microfiber robe that reached down to her calves. She gave Shirley a look, wondering what this was about.
"Put it on before you come in. Your lack of proper attire offends my many charms," Shirley said and allowed Courage entrance.
Avery shrugged, but did just as Shirley ordered and slipped the robe on. Afterwards, she followed both Shirley and Courage into the wagon.
The smell of tea filled the air of the wagon as Shirley brewed some tea in her kettle and poured them into three different cups. They were all seated at a table in Shirley's wagon with a crystal ball sitting on top of it. The smell of the tea was much stronger than what Avery was used to. She didn't mind tea, but wasn't always fond of it and the bitter smell of the tea she was being served now certainly wasn't very appealing to her.
Shirley scooted a cup of the tea towards her and said, "Drink!"
Avery waved her hand away and said, "Thanks, but I'm good."
Shirley glowered at her and said, "I wasn't asking. You must drink the tea."
Avery wanted to protest, but knew that she couldn't lose the chance to get any help that she could get. So she nodded and sipped at the tea. The bitter taste of the tea was instantly overpowering and made Avery want to gag. She tried her hardest, but was barely able to keep a straight look on her face. She sheepishly smiled at Shirley and set the cup down on the saucer.
But Shirley still glowered and said, "All of it."
Avery frowned, not wanting to actually drink the stuff, but complied in the end. It was hard, but she was able to drink it all down and could feel her throat protesting through every last drop. When she was finished, she could feel her throat tightening from her gag reflex and her stomach was knotting from the bile she wanted to bring to the surface. She desperately wanted to throw up, but was somehow able to tap it all back down. After a few moments, the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach subsided and she took a few deep breaths. Yet the taste remained on the surface of her tongue.
Courage took a look at his cup of his tea, that he had yet to sip, and gently set it back down on it's saucer and pushed it away from himself.
Avery took a few more breaths and said, "Well, now will you help?"
Shirley drank her tea down and said, "Now that we've had our refreshments, we can take a look."
Avery frowned and said, "You mean I didn't have to drink that?"
Shirley shook her head and said, "No."
"So why did you make me drink it?" Avery demanded with a little fury to her voice.
Shirley smirked and said, "To see if you would actually listen to my instructions for once."
Avery's jaw dropped and she began running her fingers over her tongue, trying hard to get the taste of the tea off of it. Shirley couldn't help but chuckle a little at the sight.
"I guess not everyone can handle bitter root," Shirley said as she finished off her tea and pulled out a crystal. "Now to contain the power of that bracelet."
"Will that crystal take it's power?" Avery asked as she pointed at the crystal in Shirley's hand.
Shirley shook her head and said, "No my dear, this crystal is for you. YOU will be sealed inside of it. I'm sorry, but I cannot risk the power of that bracelet getting out and doing who knows what. Especially when it's in the hands of a foolish naive girl like you."
Avery's heart began to pound as Shirley's words sank in. There was no way she'd be going inside that thing. Her own reluctance however was dwindling as the crystal took on a purple glow.
Before Shirley could act though, Courage got between the two of them, shook her head and he whined, "No!"
Shirley scowled and said, "Out of the way dog. This is the for the good of everything in existence."
Courage remained rooted to the spot and shook his head while waving his arms. Shirley tried to remain stoic herself and tried to wait, but it was quickly apparent that he was not going to move away from his spot.
With a sigh, Shirley put the crystal away and said, "Fine, I won't seal her in the crystal. Not right now anyway. But you need to remember that there is a lot at stake here and if the power is not contained, then a lot would be at great peril."
"I get it," said Avery. "But can you please explain to me what THIS thing is?"
Shirley shook her head and said, "I'll tell you as much as I know. All I know about this trinket on your arm is that it's direct origins are a mystery even to myself. My mother gave that thing to me when I was but a mere child myself. She told me that it was an item of a past most mysterious and that the power of it is unmeasured. She says her own father had worn it and the power had ruined him. She never wore it, I never wore it. But I have felt the temptation many times, so I hid it away and forgot where I had hidden it."
Avery could feel her blood begin to run cold.
"Then when you found it and showed it to me, I wanted you take it so that I could be rid of the thing and be free of it's curse," Shirley continued.
Avery could feel her heart hammering in her chest and her breath began to go shallow. That was why she had been warned to not wear the bracelet. Now she was really starting to feel afraid. And then anger began to rise in her.
"So why didn't you tell me about any of this when I got it?" Avery asked. "I would have left it here."
Shirley glared at Avery and said, "Would you have believed me if I had told you the truth? Besides, I gave you clear instructions to get rid of it somewhere where no one could find it. But clearly they were too complicated for you foolish child. I'd have gotten rid of it myself, but then I would know where it was and then the temptation would have returned. All I could hope was that someone would listen to me. Clearly that was foolish of even me to consider."
Now Avery really felt stupid. It was true that Shirley had given her VERY simple instructions, but she had chosen to remain ignorant of them and instead had deliberately violated them. Now she could have endangered her own life and the lives of any number of people thanks to her stupid decision. Maybe she really did deserve to be sealed in crystal. Courage and her family might not like it, but she'd rather lose her freedom than endanger them. Then again, what if there was another way.
"Has anyone ever tried to control it?" Avery asked.
"Pardon?" asked Shirley.
Avery lowered her wrist again and said, "Has anyone ever tried to control the power of the bracelet?"
Shirley shook her head and said, "Not that I know of. Why do you ask?"
Avery tapped one of the gems on the bracelet and asked, "What if it could be controlled? Use the power in limited quantities, let it get accustomed to me. Maybe I can keep it from ruining me or anyone else."
Shirley scratched her chin and said, "Perhaps. It would be very dangerous and maybe impossible to do. Are you willing to take such a risk?"
Avery took a deep breath and said, "I'm willing to give it a chance and if I fail..."
She took a glance at the crystal that Shirley had pulled out.
"If I fail... I give you permission to seal me away," Avery said.
Courage looked back at her and whined, "No!"
Avery patted him on the head and said, "I know that upsets you Courage, but it may be the only way to prevent something worse from happening. I'll do anything to keep you, the family and everyone else safe."
Shirley pondered it for a moment and said, "Fine, but I get to choose when I think you are failing in your quest. If I even suspect you of failing in your endeavor, you will be sealed. No exceptions, no second chances."
Shirley then stuck out her hand and asked, "Do we have a deal?"
Avery took a moment to think about what Shirley had said and what they'd mean for her. If she agreed to this, there'd be no going back. She'd have to try really hard to make the power in the bracelet obey her and keep itself from going crazy. To keep it contained and controlled. If she failed, she could say goodbye to her family and her life. Then again, would that be as bad as any worse alternative. She didn't want to lose her freedom, but she had put herself in this position so she had to get herself through it.
She grabbed Shirley's hand, gave it a shake and said, "Deal."
Courage whimpered in despair and hopped off of his seat. But as he hopped off, he got a good look at some jars that were stacked on a shelf just behind him. Jars containing embalmed lizards and frogs, eyes floating in fluids. Even one that looked like it had a pickled none cold-blooded animal inside. Then there were the insects. The many many demonic looking insects.
All over town, the moon shattering scream could be heard.
The drive back to the farm was done in awkward silence. Courage sat in the driver's seat with a look of awkwardness plastered on his face while Avery just sat stoic. Despite the demeanor she was displaying, she felt just as embarrassed as Courage was feeling.
"At least everything in those jars were replaceable. Seriously though Courage, where did you learn to scream like that?" she asked.
Courage shrugged and grunted, "I don't know."
Avery looked back at him and could see the worried expression in his eyes, even as he took a glance at her. She knew what was bugging him and she couldn't blame him for it.
She patted the top of his head and said, "I get that you're worried about me Courage. But you need to remember that whatever happens, it'll be my choice in the end. If i have to spend an eternity inside a crystal, then so be it. It'll be better than placing many people in danger because I did something completely unavoidable."
Courage nodded solemnly.
It took them little to no time to get back to the farmhouse. By now it was just after midnight and the house was completely silent. As Avery and Courage crept up the stairs, they could hear the snoring and soft breathing coming from Eustace and Muriel's bedroom. So at least they hadn't woken up during their time out of the house and worried for them. She certainly didn't need them worrying about her either.
She gave Courage a smile and a pat on the head as he slipped into their room to ensure that nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Avery crept past their room and back up into her attic bedroom, which was much cooler now than it had been before.
She prepared to slip into bed when a voice chimed in, "So, have a nice time out?"
She groaned aloud and said, "Not right now. I'm not in the mood for any of this."
"I'd rather we do talk now. You look distressed about something," the computer said back.
Avery shook her head and slipped into bed.
"Well I'm not in the mood for this. Just do me a favor, shut up and leave me alone for the rest of the night. Whatever you want to talk to me about can wait until tomorrow morning," she said as she lied her head on the pillow. "So please just shut up."
With that, she pulled the blanket up to her neck, closed her eyes and went straight to sleep.
The computer beeped and said, "Fine, but don't come crying to me if you lose your struggle."
The computer's screen went blank and silent as it turned off for the evening.
Avery simply ignored him. She slept peacefully and silently thought about how she would proceed with her plans. She even wondered what the future held for her here in the Middle of Nowhere and what kind of things would happen. She would only know as time went on.
She silently slept and didn't wake up. At least not until the next morning when she heard her uncle screaming, "WHAT HAPPENED TO ME TOOLS?!"