Sofia's Curse

God, the Useless

The statue of Pluto is gazing at her. Or is she gazing at him? She wishes she could break it and throw it through the window. It's not like his turn ever comes. He is useless. Not doing its job properly. She wishes people would stop being incompetent. Like her. Why did she behave like this today? Why did she help them escape?

She shouldn't have. She never should've locked her room door to save them from Leeroy. She never should've opened the gate for them to escape his grasp. She should be helping him. He is her family. The only person that knows her and loves her in spite. That loves her, period.

She lies in bed, on her hip, her back hurting too much to lie on it. It is hard to bandage oneself. But she can't ask help from Leeroy. She betrayed him. She is aware of that. He wouldn't help her. She doesn't deserve his help. She didn't help him. She worked against him.

Why did I do that? Why?

She now regrets it. Because it was in vain. It was taking a breath in a closed tank just before it fills up with water. She knows she has to kill them. It's the only way. Leeroy wants them dead, too, and he has always been there for her. She should've shown him some gratitude instead of acting disrespectfully. 

Next time, she will stand by his side. Only, she thought that the first time, too.

What was in them that made her join their side? Is it Chris' bravery? Or the girl's fearful eyes? She knows her real name is not Vanessa. She sensed the lie on her lips as she said it. Besides, she remembers Christopher calling her Victoria at the gas station. Her lie was pointless. Pointless, but smart, nonetheless. She is a smart girl. Chris, on the other hand, is reckless. He told her his full name right away. Does he know how easy it will be for her to find them now? Do they even realize they will hunt them until they are dead? 

Will they try to run?

Deep inside, she wants them to escape. She doesn't want to hurt them. And it makes her confused. But the thought is not worth entertaining. Because even if they do run, it is playing hide and seek. Leeroy will find them no matter where they go. It might take him a few days or a few decades. But he will never stop. They will never stop. He is her father and she will stand by him for better or worse.

His current disappointment in her is unnerving. He is uncertain in her loyalty now and she knows she will have to do something to regain his trust. Something he will appreciate. Something that will prove her loyalty and love.

She can't remember the last time he used a whip on her. Usually he uses magic to punish her. But she knows why this time he didn't. He wanted her to remember. And she will. Every time she scrubs her back, she will be reminded of yet another of her misdemeanors. The rugged scars serve their purpose well.

She doesn't mind them, though. They are a way of saying I'm sorry to Leeroy without having to say it out loud. It brings them to the same level. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. It is how they've always lived. It is what she knows. There is no unconditional love. There is respect and there is fairness. And these are enough for a peaceful life. Everything else exists only in fairy tales. And she has to restore peace in their home. She has to think of something that would please him.

The buzz of her phone wakes her from her thoughts. She glances at the iPhone. It's Ian. Of course.

"Hey," she says with no special emotion to her voice.

"Hello, gorgeous," she senses his grin. What is he so happy about?

"I take it you had a good day," she states, disinterested.

"Sure did. My mom won't stop talking about you..."

Sophia's eyes narrow. She props herself up on the elbow, alert. "You have my attention."

He chuckles. "Don't fret," he says, "she has only the best words for you."

"Does she now?" Sophia bites her lower lip, her eyes flaming with excitement.

"You got to pay another visit. Actually, then she'll never shut up about you," he chuckles.

"Hmm..." Sophia mumbles, "You know, come to think of it, I really should pay somebody a little visit..." Her lips curl in a vicious smile and she is grateful to Ian for giving her inspiration on how to regain Leeroy's trust.

"Yeah?" he says and it is obvious he is beaming. "Soph, it's like you're a completely different person all of a sudden! I like it!"

Sophia's face is emotionless. "What was wrong with the old me?"

"What?" Ian asks dismissively, "Nothing, Soph. I just like the new you better!"

She slowly nods her head, absentmindedly. "I bet you do..."

"So, you'll come visit?"

"Oh yeah," she stands up and walks to her closet. "I guarantee you that with my life."

"Soon?"

She takes a black leather dress out and runs her hand down it. It becomes yellow with white flowers on it. She lays it on her front and stares at the mirror. "Yes," she says, her eyes glowing with cruel excitement. "Very soon..."

#

"You can't go there again," Yasmine whispers. "You never should've gone there..."

"Of course we won't go there, Mom! Jeez... I mean forces, sorry! It's not like we're dying to die!"

Yasmine purses her lips in annoyance. "Victoria, there's no need to be rude."

"Mom!" Chris interferes, steading Victoria by putting his hand on her knee. "There's something you're not telling us. And we want to know. We need to know."

"I don't know anything," Yasmine sobs. She has always known this moment would come. It always does. "I just know they're dangerous."

"How do you know about them, Mom? Who are they and what do they want with us?"

She looks up, her eyes blurry from the water in them. A tear sheds after a tear, her chin trembling. "They mean no good, children. That much I know."

"Mom! We kind of realized that one by ourselves when we were admiring Salem's panorama from our personal viewpoint! There's got to be something more you can tell us about them!"

She sobs again, shaking her head. She wishes she could tell them. She does. But she can't. If she does...she will bear their blood on her hands. "I don't. I know nothing. But we need to leave town first thing in the morning, children."

Chris frowns. "Mom, we can't leave...we have no money..."

"We do," she nods, "My savings."

Victoria raises an eyebrow. "Even our swear jar is empty. And we curse more than the Balkan people. I think that says a lot."

Yasmine shakes her head. "No. I have savings. I have enough."

"Do you have fever, Mom? Why were we living like this if you had savings?"

"I was saving them, Victoria, for the love of mankind! That's how they got the name!"

"Saving them for what?"

"Occasions like these," she answers hesitantly.

Chris' breaths become shallow. "Occasions like these...or for this occasion, Mom?"

Yasmine takes a deep breath, then stares at him. "Specially for this occasion, if you must know."

Victoria drops her jaw. She knows much more than she's telling us, she eyes Chris. He nods, agreeing with her unspoken thought.

"Do you still have your car?" Yasmine asks.

Chris finds himself unable to take a breath. How can she know that? He barely manages to slowly shake his head in denial, not finding words to speak.

"Mmm," she mumbles, "That's what I thought."

Victoria and Chris sit frozen on the sofa, glaring into their mother, astonished, as if seeing her for the first time. In a way, they are. Yasmine Jenkins is not only a pretense-psychic, no. They can see it now. She is a woman with secrets. Dark, dangerous secrets that she refuses to share with them.

"I guess I'll have to take care of it first thing in the morning. Were you followed here?"

They shake their heads in perfect harmony, still looking shocked.

"Good," she says as she stands up, "I'll get to work then. Pack your stuff, children. Take everything you need," she says and Victoria sourly thinks everything I have, I need. It's nothing but necessities, and this woman has been hiding her money from us all along? "Because we're not coming back."