Page 57 of The Curse Breaker

Benny was starting to feel worse. In a way, he was just like Evelyn’s friends on the island—trapped. Free but not free. Even if she convinced them to leave like Gil, if they didn’t find the treasure, their fate would be the same as his. “We’re going to change that,” she said decisively. She tightened the tie and stood back. “You look great.”

He grumbled. “I look ridiculous,” he said, looking at the tiny porthole mirror he had on a wall. He eyed her crankily. “You better be right about where this next clue is.”

“I’m right. So can you drive us?” Benny asked. “It’s far by foot or bike.”

“Yes. I got gas for Harry,” he said, pushing past her and almost overturning a Scrabble board open on the table.

“Your car has a name?” Benny asked, amused.

“Yes. Had it twenty years. Harry never lets me down, much like my first mate never did,” he looked at her. “Gets me where I need to go. A car is a necessity of this day and age. A phone you can carry in your pocket is not.”

“It is if you need GPS.” Benny followed him out. “At least we have mine to navigate.”

“I don’t need GPS.” Kimble headed down the docks to a maroon Jeep she’d riden in the other night. This time he opened the door for her. They both got in. “So who did you tell the school was bringing you today?”

Benny smiled, enjoying this. She put on her seat belt and he pulled out of the parking spot. “My dad. That’s you.”

Kimble hit the brake hard with one motion, then threw his arm out to keep Benny from flying forward with his right arm. “You did what?”

“Relax! No one will know I’m lying,” Benny promised. “It’s a half hour of pretending to be a parent, max. You can handle being a dad for that long.”

Kimble stared straight forward and started driving. “We’ll see about that.”

Entry 17

From Evelyn Terry’s Private Journal, Dated June 11, 1825

“Evelyn stop!” Charlotte’s scream echoed in my ear as I ran across the sandbar to the island.

Welcome, Evelyn Terry! Welcome home! I could smell the gardenias and the sweet air, feel the warm wind, and hear the rustle of palm trees. I’m almost there I kept telling myself. Tears streamed down my face as I thought of seeing Aggy again. I would apologize for cursing her to two hundred years on this island. For separating her from her family and those she loved. I’d bring her home. I clutched the treasure in my hand and hoped it would be enough for the island to release her and the others.

There was a large gust of wind, and then suddenly I saw a figure running toward me in the other direction. For a second, I faltered. Their appearance was fuzzy, as if I was viewing them through water. Was it Charlotte? My heart seized. The person grew closer and then became clear. It was Aggy.

“Evelyn!” she cried, her arms wide-open reaching for me.

“Aggy!” I cried, rushing forward and grabbing her tight. The two of us were crying. It had only been a few days, and already I missed her terribly. I pulled back and looked at her. Her skin had color to it once more; her eyes were no longer red and sickly. I didn’t hear her cough. “You look well. Are you alright?”

“We’re all well,” she said, squeezing my shoulders so tightly, it hurt. “The moment the treasure was returned to the island, it was as if none of us had ever been ill.”

I let out a choked sob.

Aggy’s gray eyes were bright. “You saved us. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be here.”

“But I also cursed you,” I said through tears. “Or at least, I thought I did.” I grabbed her hand. “I found a new way off the island. Now that you’re well, you don’t have to stay.”

Aggy’s face fell. Her smile was sympathetic. “That isn’t how this works, my friend. We must stay here till the next Blood Orange Moon.”

“Why?” I asked, confused. “The sandbar is here. I can lead you all off.”

Aggy squeezed my hand. “The island knows we benefited from its treasure. Those coins saved our lives. We have to pay the island back, which we will do by protecting it till the next Blood Orange Moon.” Aggy nodded behind me. “It’s why she isn’t welcome here.”

She. Charlotte. Don’t trust her. Aggy’s note. “You know then the woman that befriended me?”

“Yes.” Aggy’s face clouded over. “She is not the only one who wants to exploit the island’s treasure, I am afraid. You were allowed back because you don’t seek to gain anything personally.”

I showed her the coin again. “That’s not true. I want all of you back! Where is everyone? They must be beside themselves with worry being trapped.”

Aggy sighed. “They don’t know how long they’ve been gone. To them, it feels like minutes since we saw you last. Axel and Gil are still arguing. They don’t know it’s been days. It’s how the island works.” She smiled at her surroundings. “I understand its mystery, and someday, you will too. I promise.” Her eyes searched mine. “I know what my job is here and what your job is too. You and Kimble both must stay in Greenport. The others and I must stay here.”