[ WP ] ( Entering a CVS at midnight ) `` I need to lift a curse . '' `` Aisle 5 . '' `` Thanks . ''

It ’ s a good thing Grandma is an enthusiast in the Dark Arts, otherwise who would know how to get rid of this curse. Even if she was the one who accidentally cut me with her magical skin-devouring crystal, blackening my hand to a limp black, at least she remembered how to fix it. 
 
 I turned down the 5th aisle looking for “ Magical Skin Lotion ”, the magical remedy my Grandma testified would cure my fatal curse. I looked down at my hand to see where the mark had been gradually creeping up my arm. Now my arm, up to my elbow, was as black as a crow; my arm had gone limp. I began to freak out—hot sweat took form on my brows. 
 
 Then I saw the huge Lotion sign. “ FINALLY! ” 
 
 With my left arm, my only functional arm, I glazed over the lines of bottles, looking. I couldn ’ t find it. Panicking, I did a quick ‘ double-check ’ violently swinging my head back and forth as if I were searching for the answer in a crossword puzzle. Again, nothing. 
 
 “ What the heck Grandma. Do you want me to die? ” I mumbled to myself. 
 
 Then, my eyes rested on an empty slot in the bottom shelf. I crouched down and peeked at the back of the shelf. There it was! Supernatural Moisturizing Lotion by Gold Bond. $ 42.99, what robbery! Walking back to the check-out I heard someone mumbling into the loud speaker. it was a language I had never heard before in Pennsylvania: Russian? I walked out of Aisle 5 only to find a vacant check-out. My should went numb. 
 
 I don ’ t know how long I stood at the counter: maybe a minute, maybe two. But once I felt the numbness approach my neck, the bridge between my conscious and my physical being, I decided I should get a move on. Yes, I could just walk out, but I need Karma on my side, especially with how things are going. 
 
 I reached over the counter, ‘ lotion ’ in hand, and scanned the item myself. 
 The lights went dark, died; even the street lights outside were killed. I sprinted for the door, or at least where I thought the door resided. Reaching my arm out, lotion in hand, I felt for the door. Since when did glass doors have such a rough texture? A texture like that of stone? 
 
 A fire flickered at my feet, catching one of my Nike shoes on fire. I jumped back, kicking at the floor, panting. 
 
 “ I told you she would choose a boy for the next one. ” 
 
 Whipping my head around with my almost numb neck, I could make out three silhouettes in long, black gowns; each of their faces were covered with hoods and black masks. 
 
 “ You were right, I guess I owe you twelve. A bet is a bet. ” 
 
 I took a couple of steps back towards the fireplace, feeling the stone for comfort. For knowing I was still alive. 
 
 The middle figure, the tallest, took a step forward. 
 
 “ Welcome, brother. Welcome to the Company of Vindictive Suffering—CVS. ” 
 
 I stood silent. 
 
 “ I ’ m sorry, but have you not had an interview with the manager yet? You did purchase *The Lotion*. ” 
 
 I didn ’ t reply, but try to make sense of everything. Was Grandma a manager for CVS? Was her ‘ accidental ’ curse a sales initiation? 
 
 Maybe it ’ d be fun to work for Grandma. 
 
 Then, I said “ What would you have me do? ” 
 
 “ We do need a replacement for the salesman in the Magic and Dark Arts section John. ” 
 
 “ You ’ re right Susanne, we could use someone to cover for Alan from time to time. ” 
 
 No longer could I feel my neck. My mental distress and confusion must have helped the curse spread faster upon my skin. Without feeling in my neck, my head began to lean to the side, and I passed out. 
 
 “ Quick Susanne, help me apply this lotion. We need him to start today. ” 
 
 “ He ’ ll be fine. It ’ d be better if I inform *Him* of our new ‘ employee ’. ” 
 
 “ Good idea. Lord Voldemort enjoys knowing that sort of stuff. ” 

