The Curse As she stood in front of the mirror applying a fine black line under her right eye, she could not help but think about the tears that had stained her face just moments before, and how they delicately slid from the socket of the eye down over her cheek stinging the surface of skin upon contact. This curse that burningly oozed through her had consumed her life, her essence, she felt helpless, held captive by it, unable to escape its horror. She did not see this coming, she was not forewarned, nor read about, nor taught, nor had any clue this could happen to her ever, and certainly not now at the spiced age of twenty-six. She took great notice to her coloring, the true art of it as she worked on her face with her eye lining pencil. These make-ups of many different colors texture and shade what a wonderful finding she thought, to enhance upon any attractiveness already set upon its canvas the face. Falling back rocking on her heels, she turned her face to the right and then the left, up down and tilted her chin in all directions to make sure this initial application looked good to her viewer, as she leant in once more toward the mirror. She noticed the line she had just completed was drawn smooth directing its viewer to the pupil of the eye, the window inside her, she stopped, and thought about that as well, did she really desire to bring others into focus of the eye, her eyes? Leaning in even closer to her big dressing room mirror in which she stood, she strained to see inside herself through her own eyes, into the darkness within, wondering if the monster that rest there could be seen by others, and there it was her answer starring back at her. Yes, she thought this was a perfect thing to do, drawing this dark black line under her eyes, as to pull her party guest away from her secret inside. She meant to please and certainly did not want any of them upset, or worried maybe even frightened of her. She stared pleasingly so as she outlined the other eye with a skillful touch from her steady hand, for upon this study she found out that the eyes are not just windows to the soul but more often then not… two way mirrors. Yes, these tiny mystically sparkling mirrors of hers would be a perfect focus tonight, for they would show vision to the viewer, a vision of likeness, a pleasing sight for any and all who stared into them and for the time she could hide the truth a bit longer till she might be able to find a cure and break free of this moonlit curse. As she finished up the painting to her face, she heard the phone ring. Ring a ling, ling, ling; ling….Raring…Ring a ling, ling, ling, and ling…Raring. Again, she moved herself away from the mirror while placing her cosmetic brush upon the counter and rushed down the hallway to her bedroom just above the head board to her bed was the phone resting upon the ledge of a shelf; she jumped and landed on her tummy bouncing while reaching in its direction as quickly as she could to retrieve the receiver of the phone. Upon picking it up and placing it to the side of her head in a roll over to her back, she knew instinctively the breaths breathing so heavily into the phone as they were, that it was he, her beloved boyfriend. "Charlie, stop being silly she said. How are you doing darling? You are coming to my party aren't you; you know you can't say no to me?" The breathing continued, and she grumbled and mumbled a bit before whining out the words, "Charlie! Do stop this insane nature of yours to scare me, stop it now! I want an answer from you." Laughter burst out into her ear, and then eventually came to a halt as he replied, "Trisha you know I am why ask me something like that. You know I would not miss it, you know Halloween is my favorite time of year. Besides, I am only calling to inform you that my mother, you know the women you have yet to meet you scare-dee cat, ha-ha." He laughed more; you should dress for Halloween tonight as a black hair sticking in all directions scared-dee cat, which would be a hoot now wouldn't it?" Well anyhow, she my lovely mother has insisted on coming tonight and meeting you once and for all. Therefore, I felt it only fair I give you a heads up; mom is coming for dinner and drinks, and more importantly to meet my future bride". His words struck her mind like a hatchet hitting its target right on. She became angry at the thought of having to entertain and or rather avoid his mother all night and still seem normal to the masses that were to be there tonight in her honor for she had something to share with him as well and planned on doing just that this night. Although now it was going to be impossible for her to do so as dear, darling mother was coming. "Charlie, I can't believe you, to destroy my plans for us like this. What plans Charlie bellowed out? Nothing never mind, I have to go, I will see you, and of course your mother tonight at the party, we will talk more then." She did not give him time to respond as she hung up the phone. It was around ten in the evening as the costume dressed people poured into the castle in droves. Trisha's butler Ronald did his best to keep up with the invitations as he could hear her words echo inside his mind, " Ronald, do so follow these strict instructions for handling the party guest that shall arrive. I need desperately for you to go by the name list on a tablet at the front door but after awhile he gave up on it. Seeing how he was alone against this mob, and he began to just take the garments in which they willing shed, that included an array of coats, jacket, scarves, hats, and gloves while he hurriedly spoke his pleasantries as they swept past him at the door. Dear, goodness I, Ronald thought, doing his very best to keep up, for he knew Trisha was to be angry that he did not follow the instructions as planned. However, he plainly could not help it for he was literally over run. Now completely dressed and standing before a full mirror in her dressing room Trisha was thoroughly pleased with her costume and the movie star look she had gave of her, for she knew her secret was safe, until she was ready to release the beast that dwelled within in private where it could not hurt anyone. She continued to brush her long strands of black velvety hair preparing it for the sparkly dust she would sprinkle in it just before her entrance into the ball room to meet her gracious audience. She placed the brush down upon the vanity mirror and picked up a small decorated bottle of glitter, when came a knock at her door and a voice that followed. Madam, Excuse the interruption, Charlie is here and he desires greatly so to come in and see you. She turned sharply in the direction of the door, and spoke. Is his darling mother in his company? No, madam, just him, very well then allow him entrance. As he came around the door he rushed to her greeting, she gleefully opened her arms for the moment forgetting everything else that bothered her as he practically leapt into them, she held him close to her tightly before brushing her hands vigorously threw his fur and kissing him upon the nose, Charlie you dog, she giggled you dressed delightfully so as Toto that cute little pup from the Wizard of Oz. He whimpered and growled as he snuggled into her embrace and began to lick the side of her face when she abruptly pushed him away. Charlie have you lost your mind, you will smudge my makeup, and beside it is sure to make you sick. Dog or no dog, keep you tongue to yourself for at least tonight. You must for behaviors such as that are sure to get you into trouble with my volatile self this evening. Charlie asked her "what do you mean your volatile self?" Trisha answered quickly, awe just know not to be to abrasive with me as for as ashamed as I am darling my patience is not at its best, and I just want everything to be perfect for us is all, I am sorry Charlie, if you love me as you say please trust me and try not to be so energetic with me this evening. Trisha turned away and snatched a tissue from the box that rest on the table to her right, where she brought it to her face and began blotting the spot on her cheek where upon Charlie had eagerly shared his saliva just moments before. Not to change the subject Trisha, Charlie said, but aren't you as excited as I am about meeting tonight with my sweet mother? She is looking so forward to meeting you. Well to be honest Trisha spoke, I am not incredibly excited I would say more nerves then excited, and I truly would of choose a different time, but seeing how it makes you happy, then I will do so, and hope for the best. Oh lovely Trisha don't you worry so much, for my mother will adore you as I do, I know she will. In addition, while it has crossed my mind I wanted to ask of you remember on the phone earlier between you and me when you hung up on me so quickly, which was a bit rude in fact, so yes I will agree you are a bit impatient as of late. Anyhow what did you mean by plans? You never said anything earlier in the week about special plans for us tonight. I sure hope you don't hold out on me, as I want to know, and think I would have every right to know. She turned blinking her eyes at him before speaking softly. Charlie, I had plans for just us, it is true, but I am feeling a bit better and think just maybe it will be ok for me to meet with your mother this evening, although I would like if that meeting was not to awful long. Because afterwards my dearest I do have something I need to tell you. Just you and I ok? As this is something that you need to know about, and I do know that I wanted desperately to tell you earlier but there was never the right time, and it is something very personal and very scary although tonight I thought would be appropriate and I just know it can't wait any longer, you must know. Yes, my dear, you must know before we take our relationship any further. Although I…I…well I fear…for our relationship her vocals dropping… and more so for your well being my love. Her head dropped to her chest where she stared at the floor as a sad expression crossed her pretty face before speaking lowly, what I mean is I…I am not, so sure you will still desire so greatly to make me your bride after you know, I am not so sure you will be able to even. Charlie lifted her head with his right hand gently upon her chin, Trisha; he spoke in a deep calm, gentle, yet strong voice of sincerity that would melt the heart of any woman... look at me, my heart is yours, I swear to you, that there is nothing you could share with me that would make me change my mind about the love I have for you. Trisha cherished his words from the moment they crossed his lips warming her inside which also reminded her of the monster that rested for now in there as well and of the ugly it was, yes in her own mind her thoughts told her different, that this was one thing that most certainly had the power to change his mind. The clock in the corner of her dressing room began to chime that told her it was time to go meet finally with Charlie's mother and then the crowds that danced and partied out in the ball room all waiting for her entrance. She politely asked Charlie to leave and go accompany his mother and wait for her in the hall way while she did her rituals of preparing herself one final time and she would be there soon. When Charlie left the room she glanced again into her mirror and said a little prayer to the beast that she felt began again to stir within Oh please, please leave me be tonight, Oh dear god and goddess's give me the strength to cage this beast in me for one night of magic, of love… She looked up glancing out her window and upon doing so, she knew that was a mistake, as there in the perfect dark sky the moon glowed brightly and full as the curse inside her churned threatening to break free and ruin her beautiful evening. She squeezed her eyes shut hard and thought it away only to feel dizzy as the urging of it shook her, desiring to take hold of her. It took everything in her not to pass out loosing control of it, as she held it back with all she had with thoughts of pleasantries forcing a feeling of calm. Till again at last she felt safe from its escape, its exposure… She smiled feeling confidant that she could last the night with out it happening again. She strolled to the door and opened it, walked gracefully down the hallway where she could see Charlie and his mother waiting patiently…She told herself over and over don't let your nerves get you, don't let them get the key and let the beast go… keep control… when she finally reached them both. Charlie's mother Mrs. Shay reached out to shake Trisha's hand in greeting, and at that instant, it happened! The beast had silently found a way out! Mrs. Shay stood like her son in horror of it, their faces shone white as ghost as all the blood flushed from them, their eyes popping almost from their heads, before falling over stiff as boards of a fright more horrifying then anything they could have imagined. This poisonous beast that crept like a thief in the night from Trisha's conscious grasp had consumed them both ultimately knocking out cold her beloved and his mother. As tears streamed from her sharp black eyes she howled out in utter pain and devastation turning and running back into her dressing room crying hysterical now she moaned and groaned out why oh why did I have to eat beans today for breakfast lunch and dinner… why oh why does the mixture of sight upon the a full moon and beans cause such a horrible uncontrollable beast within me that stuns its victims almost to sheer death? Oh, curse thou be gone from me I say!