ACCURSED

1. No Trespassing

People can’t be Cursed, but I sure feel like I am tonight. The cop stands in front of me, hand on his baton, like I’m some strung-out junkie about to whale on him. “You take that ‘No Trespassing’ sign back there as a suggestion?”

“I didn’t see it,” I say honestly, wishing I’d thought up Normal reasons for why I’m outside an ancient, decaying house at midnight-- reasons that don’t involve Curses or ghosts or missing diamonds. I swallow back the fear threatening to wash over me. I can handle this. I just have to remain calm.

“Come on, let’s go.”

I shrug, walking past him. He checks behind me with his flashlight. Like I’d let the rest of my crew get caught. That’s why I’m caught; I waited too long, made sure they weren’t visible.

I know better than to hesitate.

“It isn’t safe in that old place,” he says. “Kids think it’s cool to hang out there, but it’s dangerous.”

It would be a reasonable warning for most anyone else; he just has no idea who he’s talking to. I’m a Handler; I’ve been creeping through decrepit houses as long as I can remember. “I was only looking.”

“Where do you live? I’m not charging you, but I have to talk to your parents.”

Climbing into the patrol car in the darkness I twist my lips. Gianni’s not going to like this. Neither do I-- I do my best to keep law enforcement away from him.

“What’s your name?” my new cop-friend asks after I give my address.

“Gen.” Shit. “--ifer.” Rookie mistake.

“How old are you, Jennifer?”

“Fifteen,” I lie. He glances in the mirror. Sometimes I’m glad I’m small; makes it easier to play younger.

“You shouldn’t be out this late. It’s after curfew.”

I nod, hoping he doesn’t have more questions. When he doesn’t, I get back to worrying what Gianni’s going to do when I show up crewless, Remnant-less and with a cop in tow.