Veronica Mayer. Even I had heard the rumors about her. You’d have to be deaf to miss the whispers when she walked down the hall; stupid to ignore how she parted crowds with her presence. They said she was a devoted servant of Satan, brought here to spread his dark power throughout our school. They said she could cast curses on people with a glance, or even control them like puppets using a voodoo doll she kept on her at all times. To most, she was a child born of pure sin and hatred.
But I took those rumors as they were—rumors. Veronica may have had a wardrobe taken straight from a graveyard, but it didn’t mean she was evil. In fact, the gothic girl had more class than most of us. Veronica never lashed out at anyone. She was always calm and collected. Fierce in her rebuttals sometimes, but never mean-spirited or malicious. I couldn’t believe she was the same person who caused such fear and panic in so many people.
Having said that, what if I told you it was all true? That Veronica really did worship the devil; that she wasn’t just an innocent girl trying to fit in, but a powerful witch with a deep connection to the darkness? What if I told you she could bring harm to those around her with a single glance, or even a wave of her hand? Would you believe me?
Well, I didn't. And unfortunately, I'm facing the consequences.
“David.”
The voice jolts me from my thoughts. My body is just as frigid as it was before, frozen in time by an unknown force. I try to turn my head toward the source, but nothing happens. When that doesn’t work, I try to say something—anything—but my mouth remains tightly clasped. My lips feel heavy, and every word hitches in my throat. I can barely form the letters; it’s like my brain is trying to push words through my vocal cords, but they’re being blocked by an invisible hand.
“What’s wrong?” Veronica asks smugly. “Cat got your tongue?”
My eyes dart to the door behind Veronica, then back to her face. There’s no one else in the room with us—no other students, no teachers, no staff members. It’s just the two of us in a classroom filled with desks and chairs. We’re alone; she’s completely isolated me from the outside world. Did she do this to me? I force myself to look deep into her eyes, knowing full well that she’ll see my disgust there. I don’t want her to think I’m enjoying this, because I’m not.
“That glare!” she gasps, stepping closer to me with a giggle. “You could freeze a bull with that stare, grumpy. Aww, are you upset?”
Her question makes me blush with anger. Of course I’m upset. I’m sitting in a classroom alone with someone who presumably put me in this situation, and she has the gall to ask me if I’m upset? I should be upset, right? I’m not unreasonable in my irritation, am I? This is the damn definition of exploitation! But fighting against her is impossible, for whatever reason. And after yet another bout of silence from me, Veronica steps even closer.
I’ve always thought her outfits were revealing, and now was no exception. The black leather jacket she wore clung to her body like a second skin, exposing the curves of her breasts and stomach. Her white t-shirt, which covered her midriff, was also tight—not too tight, but enough to show off her ample cleavage. Underneath it, her bra showed through; it was a black lace number that hugged her chest, leaving little to the imagination. Combined with more chains and piercings than I could count, she looked like a walking temptation. A demonic temptation, maybe, but still a temptation nonetheless.
“Stand up, David.”
I would have chuckled if I could. I can’t even speak when I want to! Moving is definitely—
“Yes ma’am.”
Another voice shakes me from my thoughts once more: my own. It’s a shock to hear such a familiar thing sound so foreign; it feels strange and distant to my ears. And then I stand, unable to help prevent myself from doing anything else. My body moves all on its own, rising from the chair like a puppet controlled by strings. I almost feel like I might escape this situation for a moment.
But that feeling doesn’t last long. I may have stood up, but that doesn’t mean I can move. As soon as my feet touch the floor, I freeze solid yet again. Not even the slightest twitch occurs as I stand there, staring at Veronica with a blank expression. This is yet another part of the curse, no doubt. Oh, how an unpleasant situation can turn even worse.