The Cursed Blessing

Chapter 3

The next day, Sirena was once again woken up by Arianna, who handed a white dress, but Sirena suggested something more easier to walk in. So Arianna chose a new outfit, a black top and jeans. After getting showered, she swept her hair into a ponytail and went down to the dining hall to find a plate of pancakes awaiting her. She was informed that Chris was eating in his room, Dina was studying, and Lord James and Lady Ella had left to an emergency trip to Dubai. Sirena decided to find Dina first, then go to Chris' room.

She ate hungrily, the pancakes were extremely delicious. She then set out to find Dina's studying room in the mansion. After half and hour of going around in circles, she found herself in front of the studying room's door.

" Hi Sirena, what's up? " Dina asked as her breathless cousin entered her room and interrupted her studying.

" What's up? " exclaimed Sirena. " Do you know how hard it is to find you in here? " she burst out. Before Dina could apologize, Sirena continued talking. " Anyways, I wanted to ask, are you busy? "

" Uh, yes, I have exams next week. " replied Dina sadly.

" Oh, that's fine.. Great actually. " " Bye! " called Sirena before going out the door.

Dina frowned. Sirena looked too happy to find her busy. Dina couldn't worry about that anyways. She drank a glass of water and plunged headfirst into the interesting world of science.

' Next stop, Chris' room.' thought Sirena as she came out.

" Knock knock!" " Yes? Its not locked!" called Chris as Sirena stepped inside.

She looked around the room. It was a mess. Things were scattered all around the room. Sirena picked up a stack of papers that a mini-printer spat out and made her way to Chris, who was typing furiously on his laptop.

"Chris? Umm, what is going on here? " she questioned curiously.

" Oh its you, I thought it was Lord James, or Lady Ella or Di...."

" My uncle and aunt are overseas and Dina is studying. So I thought we could explore the gardens? " Sirena interrupted him.

" Oh. Well, I was doing some research about that light you saw. Turns out, only a handful of people have seen it, but nobody knows what it is." he concluded.

"O...K..so, are you ready?" she asked.

"Yeah, just let me...oh thanks. That was my homework," he added as Sirena handed him the papers earlier.

" Your homework? Why wasn't it done earlier?" she frowned. Her homework was always on time, and she had TOLD Chris to finish his before they came here.

"Umm, I kinda forgot.." he said hesitantly.

Sirena sighed. " Whatever. Hurry up." and she went out of the room.

While waiting, Sirena looked out on the gardens, trying to find something unusual. Noting though, the flowers were just blooming, the gardener gardening, the sun blazing, all as usual. She leaned against the windowsill and let the breeze push her hair everywhere. Soon, something came over her, and she just left the mansion. Her heart hammered wildly like before.

" Sirena? Where are yo.." Chris started calling her, but stopped when he saw Sirena. " OK. I'm done. Let's go! " "Sirena? " he cautiously questioned. Chris tapped her shoulder. " Sirena? "he called her again. Chris gasped as he felt Sirena go limp in his arms. " SIRENA!" he shouted, his eyes wide with horror.

He took some water from his backpack and sprinkled a few drops on her face. After a few seconds ticked by....

" AAHH!" Sirena shouted, gasping for air.

" Sirena! What happened to you?" asked Chris, relieved. " Oh, my head" she moaned. Chis handed her some water. Once she got a hold on herself, she explained what had happened.

"So, you didn't feel anything at all, until I um, woke you? " Chris reconfirmed.

" Yes. What is happening to me?" she said, shaking with worry and fear.

" The curse of the family is what's happening to you," came a man's voice from behind. " Not a curse, a blessing if it can be reversed." corrected a lady's voice. Sirena and Chris were startled, and looked around, trying to find the source of the voices.

A man accompanied by a beautiful lady emerged from the shadows behind them.

"Well, whatever it is, I don't like it," the old man whined.

" Come on now Jerold, its our job to help them and whining won't help. " the lady scolded the man.

Sirena took a good look at the both of them. The lady wore a red dress. Her face looked determined and fierce, and in her right hand, she held a brown wand, made of ' unicorn hair? How do I even know that? And who they?" thought Sirena mid-way.

As if reading her thoughts, the lady's fierce features relaxed, she put away her wand and said, " Let me introduce myself. I'm Sally and this is Jerold. We are the guardians of this family. Your family. " she pointed at Sirena.

" Guardians of my family? Does every family have a guardian then? " she questioned the young lady in front of her.

" Oh yes. But let's worry about that later shall we? " she trailed off. " Jerold?" she called.

" Al'right, al'right. I'm Jerold'. I'm her helper. " he said helper like it was an insult.

" And what do helpers do? " asked Chris, who had now recovered from his surprise.

" They help the guardians." cut in Sally.

Now, Sirena tore her gaze off Sally to look at Jerold. He was a man around 40 years old, had a kind face, wore a pair of grey shoelace sneakers, with a dark blue shirt and black pants.

" Now, let us explain..." began Sally, her face back to being fierce.