Prologue
Sabrina and Aldeen, holding hands as they hid in the cold, industrial kitchen, knew that this could be their last moment together. Neither of them wanted to admit it. The two women had grown so close, and they never wanted to let each other go. If they could run, if they could leave this realm forever and be safe, they would. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen.
Sabrina, not even being from this realm naturally, was at a higher risk of harm to begin with. She had learned the ways of shielding, of staying out of harm’s way, and of keeping in her own lane in this realm. Sure, sometimes she summoned random spirits, but it never led to issues like this. She never, ever expected this…
A curse…
~
The Catchers entered the kitchen loudly, not trying to hide their presence. They clambered against the walls, and opened cabinets, tossing cans and boxes onto the cold, linoleum floor beneath them. Their light green, wispy bodies swiftly made their way through the room, leaving no hiding place unfound.
“They’re going to find us soon…” Sabrina said.
“They’re more concerned about me, baby,” Aldeen said. “If I go willingly…They’ll leave you alone.”
“No…Al, no…” Sabrina whispered to her desperately.
“I’m so sorry I brought this upon you…” Al sighs, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose. The Catchers hiss and click as they grow closer, communicating with each other to spread out within the industrial sized kitchen and look in every last nook and cranny.
“This isn’t your fault, Al…None of this is your fault. Please.” Sabrina tells her.
“It is though. If this curse wasn’t attached to me…It wouldn’t have ever been brought to you. You would’ve never had to deal with it.” Aldeen says. “I know what I have to do…”
Sabrina feels tears in her eyes as she watches Aldeen stand, letting go of her hand. She lets her hand linger there for a second, waiting for Al to sit back down, take her back in her arms…but it doesn’t happen. No, what happens instead is Sabrina’s worst nightmare. Aldeen puts her arms out to her sides, and walks out into the open. Sabrina wants to yell out to Aldeen to sit back down, to hide again, but it’s far too late. She’s already been seen.
“I’m right here…I’m right here.” Aldeen tells the Catchers, her voice shaking with fear and on the verge of tears. The Catchers hiss loudly, rearing back like angry cats with hair sticking up on their backs, and they jump forward to attack, so fast that it was like a strike of lightning. Sabrina holds her head with her hands, listening to the horrible noises, the screams, the growls, the hisses…it’d all be over soon…
