Michael was settled on his chair,deep in thought.Pinching his temples he was uncharacteristically silent.Matching his red sneakers was a crimsonT shirt paired with navy blue shorts.The window to his room was open letting in the cold breeze.Awaiting the signal to jump off his hand rested on the phone as his heart shook.What could he be waiting for?If one were to look more closely they would realize that his backpack and equipment were hinting towards an adventure. Finally the phone rang.The voice that ringed in his ears was not one he recognized.

“Hello,is this Michael speaking?”

“Yes.”

“ Your friend Allan is being rushed to the hospital.He told me to deliver you a message.”

“Wait ,what?” Michael said perplexed his voice breaking.The loudness of his voice might have startled his parents who were still in bed .

Unable to keep up this solemn act he burst out in a shrill voice

“What happened to Allan,I thought he was going to call me once he reached the outpost ?"

"Calm down sir.”

I am calm he said ,a moment after collecting himself

“On his way to the outpost,he stopped at the old shrine for and was attacked”

“He …..was attacked?"

" Yes,it’s seems to be some sort of venomous snake.Before he collapsed,he told me to tell you that it’s too dangerous to visit th-”

Before he could finish his sentence there was a momentary delay and Michael heard another voice.

“We’re not calling off our visit to the hill station." Recognizing the sharp but calm voice he realized it was Edward.

Before Michael could say anything he felt a hand resting on his shoulders.It was his mother’s. "Planning to leave without breakfast” she said smiling ominously.

Taking the phone into her hands she talked to Edward."Just what do you boys plan on doing.”

“ Nothing dangerous. ”

“ Is that why Michaels left wrist is still fractured?”

She said looking at his bandaged wrist ,her face still contorted into mocking smile.

"Well,you see Allan has been admitted to the hospital,and I called Michael to inform him of that.”

" How do I know that your not making this up on the spot?”

“Maybe you’ll believe me if you hear it from him" Soon ,the authenticity of Edwards claims was proven and it quite worried Ms Kieth not only for the boy but her own son.She was at good terms with both boys mothers and so she was more than willing to let Michael pay a visit.

‘Don’t get too high on adrenaline ‘ she would often tell him .There was no telling what he would do to satiate his boredom.She could only hope he wouldn’t do anything dangerous.

On his way to Allans room, Michael saw a familiar figure.It was Edward.Edward seemed to be pale as if he was unable to understand the words that were uttered by the doctor.

Inching closer Michael who was carrying a basket of freshly made bread and some pastries listened in on their conversation.

“It’s peculiar isn’t it, shortly after the boy regained consciousness,all the symptoms of a pain disappeared.”

“Yes,i find it dubious that it was a snake that bit him”

“The marks on his neck say otherwise”

"Maybe it was something else”

Edward chimed in

" Why don’t you investigate it?”

“Well? What if it’s a new species”

Michael entered the room as the doctor and his assistant made their exit.

“Does every one in this town believe in that baseless rumor?"

“I think its time we see for ourselves"

Allan looked at them in a daze , his face contorted with mix of emotions .Most prominent among these was fear , the most primitive emotion of them all.Shaking his head he said “Are you two crazy?!"

" Look what happened to me , the doctors say I’m going to be fine but I keep telling them that something is wrong”

" Hear me out –

“NO,you hear ME out”

“

There’s something lurking in the forest near the shrine and it’s not human!”

" You don’t believe me?Well look at this ….”

Opening his mouth he showed them his tongue which on first sight seemed to be normal.However, on closer inspection a thin outline of grey fluid could be seen enveloping the red mass.

“The doctors say that it’s just a side effect of whatever bit me and will probably disappear"

“But every time I hear ‘it’ my mind goes blank and I –"

Before he could say anything the nurse came in demanding the boys to give Allan some space before he had on of his ‘fits’. "Hes in a very excitable state ,any little thing sets him off.Just last afternoon he was found in the basement with a dead rat resting,uneaten ,on his tongue.”

The boys were perplexed their entire world upside down.When was last time they experienced such a shock?

For Michael,it was the discovery that performing a backflip isn’t as easy as a cartwheel.For Edward,it was the fact that he was terrified of cows more than he was of clowns.Shattering the deafening silence between them michael let out a deep sigh and said " Just this once (and let me finish) we shouldn’t take the risk”

He softly added " Assuming that you also had the same idea”

Edward smiled and said “Irrational mike being rational?”

“The adults are finally getting to you”

“Unfortunately,I might have to be the irrational one .”

He paused before adding

“Just this once."

Michael couldn’t protest to this as he had subjected his friends to such risks many a times.As the branches overhead grew thicker the crunching leaves under his shoes became more audible .In front of him was Edward , who held a torch in his left hand and a machete in his right.The moonlight barely illuminated the narrow path in front of them.Suddenly, Michael whose nose was separated from Edwards backpack only by a few centimeters collided with it.For a moment the clouds above them stood still.If not for the occasional breeze that rattled the trees the silence would be deathly. Edward turned his head to Michael and with his legs shaking"I think I need to pee.”

Michael didn’t reply, only sarcastically rolled his eyes. Well,that was anticlimactic.I for one wouldn’t pee in the woods.

Edward had similar thoughts.The shrine was near and maybe it had a rest room or something.In any case it was the place they had decided to stay the night.The shrine had an unnatural air about it ,the moonlight light surrounding the shrine always seemed to be flickering .As Michael made his way into the shrine he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.The floorboards creaking under his feet.The inner room seemed completely abandoned with no furniture in sight.His eyes darted towards the walls and all he saw was crumbled cement.Edward came in what was assumed to be the restroom his nose pinched. Shaking his head he said” “There is no bathroom" his legs trembling uncontrollably.

“ Also don’t go in there,it’s like something is rotting on the walls and it’s disguisting”

Michael nodded his head and asked

“ So what are you going to do?Pee on the floor.Don’t worry I won’t tell any one”

“ Well I was thinking about peeing in the wishing well.”

“ Wait dont –”

Before he could say anything Edward rushed outside and the deed was already done.Micahel chased after him and soon saw his face reflected on a large bronze bell.It was engraved with symbols that looked ancient.Despote the years of aging the bell seemed to be in pristine condition.Edward jokingly made fun of these symbols and started spouting what he claimed to be incantations. Reentering the woods they made their way to the same spot but as they were about to go further they heard a bell chiming.Micahels heart froze . Edward seemed unfazed as he calmly said" It must be the wind or something” until he heard it ring again.The only sound that echoed through the forest was the Ravens claws scratching against wood.The only thought that echoed through their mind was ‘run’ .Before he knew it Micheals legs had helped him sprint a large distance ,the path around him curved as the torch in his hand was shaking.As the bells rang the light in his hand grew dimmer and dimmer until it was no brighter than the crimson blue light filtered through the ancient trees hovering above him.A shiver ran down his spine as his pupils constricted .At some point Edward had disappeared from his line of sight and from the thoughts for he was too afraid to look back .Too afraid to look back and face the abyss that was slowly creeping it’s way towards him.Soon he entered a clearing and felt that he was somewhat relived of his troubles.His abdomen felt constricted as he let out sharp breaths of air.He was jolted back to his senses when the bell rang,each time with an unnatural tune.He looked around him only to see no shrine in sight . There were no signs of Edward either.

This…whatever creature was chasing us might have gotten to him.

This road seems familiar,it’s awfully close to the hospital where Allan is.

I should make a run for it.

Micheal soon found himself surrounded by the hospital staff as he told this story.They ushered no reply but their disappointment was visible from their stone cold gazes.Some told him similar stories of people who were cursed by the shrine and ultimately met gruesome deaths.Despite all the gravity of the situation Micheal remained convinced that Edward was still alive.

His only solace was an old staff member that agreed with him .

“Those who are subjected to it’s wrath are often left alive or killed torturously slow"

So there’s a chance that Edward is alive.

" Most likely,however the events that have unfolded will leave him devoid of any vigor.”

Is there no way for the curse to be exorcised

Since it’s related to the gods that watch over the shrine,your only hope is to please them.

" And if they forgive me, I will no longer be cursed?”

“ Forgiveness doesn’t mean that it will be removed. Just that it might be, it’s only a whim to ‘Them’ .”

Micheal headed for Allans room as he felt that he needed to apologize for doubting

The bell sounded once more in his ears as he could feel his legs become numb.The lights above him grew brighter and brighter until one such filament burst from inside the glass. Feeling the cold night breeze caressing his face ,he moved towards the door. I should hide somewhere safe .

He entered the room where Allan was admitted . Closing the door behind him he felt the waves of gear spreading through his heart subside.He let out a sigh and tried to reach out for the bed to see how Allan was doing.His hands were met with silky smooth sheets.Its warm ,I guess he might have left for the bathroom.I don’t know why but my legs are growing weak.It must have been due to all the running around I have done.

– Creak – scratch ….creak scratch

Pa!

Something invisible fell from overhead as it shattered into fragments of glass.The screeching noise became faint as a dark figure outlined itself before him.This mass was screened by the curtains and it wasn’t clear whether it was an animal or something else entirely.Whatever it was it seemed glued to the wall like a spider awaiting it’s next meal

Is this the creature that was trying to chase us.

It didn’t attack Michael but he could sense the air around him was insidious.The moonlight was once again diluted with colors unatural– a shade of green and white.Before he could make his move and run he felt his ears vibrate as he heard what could only be described as a primitive howl followed by the sounds of crackling bone.The bell chimed in so as to give it an ancient tune.Micheals knees were glued to the floor. I - I can’t feel my legs.Is this the bells doing, something similar might have happened to Edward preventing him from running

His eyes were met by the hollow white eyes of something that seemed human .It inched closer moving it’s body with great difficulty across the wall.Every movement was accompanied by the sound of joints crackling.White liquid sprayed from its skin as it let out “Michael?Is that y-you?”

Michaels heart regained it’s pulse as he recognized this voice.It was Allan!

He must be afflicted by the curse too.He replied with a slight smile

“Yes.”

“Oh boy ,I’m so glad to see you”

Allan said his voice vibrating as he scratched his hair.

“Are you alright? You need to get of the wall,it’s hurting you.”

No-no I’m fine ,this is just my daily exercise”

He said as he pulled out hair from his scalp and threw them in the air as if celebrating.Micheal gulped as he felt the urge to leave the room immediately. He instinctively gripped his watch.

No, he’s my friend he won’t hurt me .Besides we’re going through the same thing ,maybe I can help him and in turn he can help me.

“Hey, do you know that the people here don’t believe me when I tell them something is wrong with me?”

He turned to Michael and started sniffing Ignoring this remark Michael looked at Michael and said

" I hear these bells and with each ring things seem to get progressively worse”

" You too?!”

Michael almost jumped of the wall in surprise,his hands still shaking as his broken fingers gripped the wall, red from pain.

“Yeah ,and get this every time the bell rings things get worse.”

Allan smiled, his facial muscles contorting as his teeth reflected Micheals uncomfortable shape.His lips trembled , muscles tearing under the tension and smarting his gums with a melancholy Michael shiveed at this sight his ribs frozen and shaking in fear.Involuntarily ,he gulped and and said with an uncomfortable smile.

" Get off the wall,let’s try to solve this problem”

You know about the shrine

Uh huh we’ve never visited it but have always seen it on the way to the hill outpost

Well get this it’s watched over by the gods

Oh ,yeah those japeneese shinto gods

Yeah yeah

And we’ll you know our curse also stems from that place

So let’s do something about it

What

What if we performed a ritual at the altar of said shrine and offered our blood.Of course not all of it but some .

Mm hmm- ah, and the gods will forgive us!

Exactly!

For old times sake get off the wall

Allan refused politely,his pupils less eyes growing bloodshot every growing minute.Micheal dragged himself along the halls and got to the hospitals inventory to look for a wheel chair He opened the door with great difficulty as something heavy seemed to be holding it down.Something isn’t right .This room is small but very neatly organized .I can’t imagine nurse Susie ever having it so congested.

As he opened the door and found everything neatly arranged.Thats weird,I guess I’m tired and my legs aren’t working either.

He got himself on a wheel chair and just as he was about to leave he heard a sound .

Drip - drip ,it was the sound of something leaking,he felt it spill over his face.He examined this liquid and thought it was water , suddenly the clouds parted momentarily as the faint moonlight illuminated his surroundings.His hand was dyed crimson! This is blood!

He looked up and saw a disfigured body hanging,it was the nurse Susie.Her limbs her head hung separatly on threads of interwoven white.Bite marks were present on here face .This is Allans nurse ,could it be that that the curse influenced him to kill her.No -this seems intentional

Micheal shuddered involuntarily and quickly got on the wheelchair.He then flew across the halls at terrifying speeds for a wheelchair.Behing him he could hear screeching and crackling sounds .

“I thought you were different from the others.”

“I thought you believed me, but you’re no different from the rest of them”

“Just like them you must think I’m crazy.”

“Like nurse Susie you must be making fun of me I front of others

I won’t forgive you!You were my friend and my childhood friend.”

“If you value our friendship them stop

Or else or else I’ll kill your mother!”

Good luck getting out of the hospital,wall crawler.

Micheal rushed outside the hospital and headed straight for the heart of the problem.The shrine ,his only hope was to somehow complete the ritual but just as he was about to enter it’s vicinity his vision grew dark as the bell sounded in his ears.

This…..

He blanked out and once he awoke ,it was inside the restroom of the shrine.

He shook his head for he didn’t recognize his surroundings.Where am I ?Memories came flooding back as blood rushed to his brain

He offered his blood as he cut open a wound on his wrist.Noot deep enough to kill him but deep enough for the pain to radiate throughout his body.But just as he’d did this he once again lost concioussness.