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

I walked briskly down the aisle scanning for the bright red box. It was n't my first time making a late night purchase of Curse Killer, being cursed had become part of the job at this point. Still I knew better than to take too much time before applying the solution. 
 
 `` That'll be 52.88.'' 
 
 `` $ 52.88?! Since when-'' I stopped myself mid-sentence. As unhappy as I was about the cost I did n't exactly have time to shop around. I handed over the cash and took my 12 cents in change then rushed out the door. 
 
 As I drove I began applying the lotion to any exposed skin that I could easily reach. Once I made it home I covered the rest of my body. I could feel the cold tingle of the magical remedy going to work. It was a feeling I had grown to enjoy. 
 
 For the last six years this has been my job. I track down missing or kidnapped people, mostly children, that are taken by the mysterious beings outside of town. Witches make up most of the offenders, but I do come across some trolls, ghouls, and werewolves along the way. 
 
 Most people in this line of work are lucky to make it longer than four years before they retire or get killed, but here in Flynn, things are a little different. 
 
 This town was built around a magical Marsh that was centuries old. It was cursed by a warlock who was feuding with the locals. He was a cranky old wizard that got tired of people coming around to bother him so he cursed the marsh. 
 
 Being a magical marsh there is a mist constantly flowing from the water. The warlock made it so the mist would make the magical beings that came in contact with it, well, stupid. Following the magical laws of the time, the warlock made sure the curse did not affect humans. This made my job a whole lot easier. Still, though, I did n't finish every job unscathed. 
 
 I was heading up to Eunice's cabin outside of town where she had taken a young boy from the forest to eat. Eunice managed to get one child once every three months or so, but most of them knew better because she always used the same trick: the trail of candy leading to the front door. This was usually a quick in and out job, but Eunice still put up a fight every time. 
 
 I got to the door and let myself in. 
 
 `` Eunice!'' I yelled. `` You got ta let him go. We've been over this.'' 
 
 She had a cauldron in the fireplace and the boy was sitting inside, tied up. This would have been a troubling situation, but Eunice never lit the fire. I untied the boy and sent him on his way. 
 
 `` Hehehehehe!'' Eunice cackled as she entered the room. `` Have you come to join me for lu- where'd he go?!'' 
 
 `` I just sent him home Eunice. Now like I said we've been over this, you ca n't be taking kids from town. Besides, you're a vegetarian!'' 
 
 Eunice pulled out her wand. It was actually a back scratcher, but she still managed to get by with it somehow. 
 
 `` Eunice come on. Not today.'' I was more exhausted than concerned. 
 
 `` Enter my home, unsafe you will be. Now there is trouble, too late to.............'' 
 
 `` Flee.'' I finished the rhyme for her. She almost never got them right. 
 
 `` Flee! Dammit! No matter, you'll still pay for entering my home! Hehehehe.'' She cackled again. 
 
 `` Ok Eunice. I'm going to let you off with a warning this time. I'm too tired for this today, just lay off the kids?'' 
 
 Eunice had somehow gotten caught up in her own cackling, she was laughing almost uncontrollably, her eyes were tearing up. She was easily entertained. 
 
 I turned to walk out the door and as Eunice doubled over in laughter she accidentally fired her wand in my direction. I felt the curse strike me square in my left butt cheek. 
 
 `` Dammit Eunice!'' 
 
 This sent her over the edge, she was now rolling on the floor, crying. She could hardly breathe. 
 
 Eunice's curses were generally harmless, more annoying than anything. A small horn in the middle of the forehead, a semi-curly tail, two left feet; I've been hit with all of them over the years. 
 
 I could feel a small bump starting to form right at the base of my spine. I could still hear Eunice's goofy laughter echoing through the woods as I headed back towards town.
