The Harlequin's Curse

      It's a warm, early Saturday morning, the bright rays cover the streets with an orange shroud, painting the houses and sidewalks an acid shade. It's blinding and mesmerizing at the same time, isn't it? The windows reflect sunbeams that leap along the road and paths, climb onto neighboring plots and seem to play ping-pong, jumping from one side to the other. Despite such indescribable beauty, there are few people on the streets - no one really wants to wake up so early on a day off, let alone leave their warm shelter and go somewhere. Every few minutes you can hear the noise of the engines of passing cars, each of which is rushing towards its important and urgent business. And only one car was in no hurry at all. Having leisurely driven up to house No. 1216, it stopped and stalled. No one was in a hurry to get out of it either, as if someone was waiting for someone. There were three people inside – Mr. and Mrs. Loud and… Luan.     A few days passed, and she was finally discharged. And it would seem like a joyful event, right? Right…? Of course it was joyful. Only her bandaged hands were shaking with fear, her breathing was interrupted, and her heart couldn't calm down and was beating at a furious pace. Only her hair, combed for the first time in a long time, calmed the defenseless girl a little. Closing her eyes, Luan saw again and again the events of that fateful night that had changed this house forever. It was no longer that cozy place where everyone was always safe. About a week had passed, and at first glance it seemed like nothing had changed – toys were still scattered around the yard, uncut grass and a few garbage bags by the road. Everything was the same as always, right? Yes, of course. But not for Luan. For her, everything was completely different now.     A boy with white hair was sitting on the porch of the house, his orange shirt visible from afar. Noticing the approaching car, the albino jumped up and instantly descended the steps. A few seconds later, the van parked next to the garage, and Lincoln turned around and looked at the windows of the living room located on the first floor - there he saw several hiding faces, watching the situation from the side with interest and excitement. The sisters needed to see Luan safe and sound, to make sure that she was really returning home, but they were very afraid to go outside. Lincoln, however, was full of courage and determination, so without thinking at all, he went out of house and waited there. The guy nodded to the figures in the window and turned back, slowly approaching the van. Meanwhile, Luan sat inside without moving, immersed in her thoughts.     - We're going into the house, come out when you're ready and Lincoln will see you out, okay? - Mr. Loud asked cautiously, bringing the girl out of her trance.     - Y-yeah, o-okay, - came hesitantly from the back row. Rita nodded to her husband and slowly walked outside. Lynn Sr. opened the door of the van and looked at his daughter in the mirror.     - Don't worry, everything will be fine. Having said this, the head of the family jumped out and slammed the door. Having exchanged a few words with Lincoln, he caught up with Rita, and together they walked to the house, in the windows of which all the figures instantly evaporated, only the slight swaying of the curtains gave away the recent observers. Luan watched her parents go and immediately lowered her gaze back as soon as she noticed a white head near the house. Still awkward. Still scared. Still unclear and... wrong.     Lincoln almost reached the car and decided not to rush the girl, modestly standing a couple of meters away. Through the window of the van he could see only neatly combed walnut curls, from the sight of which the albino broke into a smile. "Decided to keep it after all", - the guy thought with a pleasant warmth in his soul. Meanwhile, Luan gathered her strength and, after thinking for another second, opened the door. Lincoln saw an image of his sister in a completely unusual guise for her - instead of the familiar blouse, she was wearing a voluminous white T-shirt, the sleeves of which covered her elbows with some reserve, and her signature mini-skirt was replaced by wide and baggy trousers. The girl didn't want to go home in her usual clothes at all, as if it was putting a lot of pressure on her. As if it referred to the past, to the very moment when everything turned upside down. And although such an outfit was very unusual for her, Lincoln couldn't help but admit - if not for the context of the situation itself at that moment, his jaw would have dropped from admiration. The new image really suited her very well. "I hope this isn't a one-time action".     - Hi, - the white-haired guy said with a slight smile, trying to hide his emotions, approaching his sister. - How are you? Is everything okay?     - H-hi, - Luan began, who in response tried to hide her fear and anxiety. - It seems okay. J-just a little... scared. Otherwise, it'll do. Lincoln carefully extended his arms to the girl, a moment later receiving a gentle and weak hug - after all, it was still hard for her to do anything after almost a week of lying on the bed in the ward that was slowly taking over you. With his back the boy felt the envious glances of his other sisters, who had already managed to return to their observation post and were secretly looking into the living room windows.     - I understand you, really, - he reassured Luan. - Don't be afraid, I'll always be there when you need it. I promise.     - Thank you, Link, - the figure sniffed, now looking like a tiny-tiny girl, who was being protected by her older brother. Although in fact it was so, only it was the young brother.     - Well, let's go inside? - asked Lincoln, breaking the embrace, gesturing to the front door of the house. Luan nodded quietly and, together with her brother, slowly moved to the small steps leading under the canopy. Noticing the curtains in the windows moving again, she exhaled heavily and sharply, and her body began to tremble. In just a few seconds, she would see her sisters again, and she had no idea what would happen next and how they would greet her. Would they welcome her with joyful embraces and be incredibly happy, or would they just cast a stern look and limit themselves to a sarcastic "hello"? The only thing that calmed Luan down was Lincoln's words in the hospital - the sisters were very worried and concerned about her. At least some of the sisters. But what would happen to the rest... For her, it was a real mystery, because of which her temples couldn't stop pulsating. Now the easiest thing was to turn off her head and throw out all thoughts, so the steps in front of the house were quickly overcome, and a couple of teenagers stood in front of the door.     - Ready? - the guy in the bright shirt quickly asked.     - I ..., - the girl hesitated, but doubts were suddenly replaced by firm determination. - Yes, I'm ready. Link nodded just as quickly and, turning the handle, pushed the door away from him. Luan's confidence instantly evaporated, and in its place returned shaking hands, trembling knees and a genuinely strong feeling of fear. The guy almost forcibly pulled her inside the house, and her darting eyes began to look around. Everything is exactly as it was, nothing has changed at all. As usual, there are random things scattered on the floor - toys, books, a whole bunch of shoes at the entrance, and a pleasant aroma of freshly cooked food comes from the kitchen. "So far so good", - Luan thought to herself, continuing to look around. However, the calm lasted not a second longer than the confidence in front of the front door, because through the left nut strand of her hair she saw several figures standing in the living room. And she understood perfectly well that her sisters were standing there. Only one thing was unclear - who exactly was standing there? Well, it's time to find out.     The girl turned her head, and six familiar silhouettes opened up to her gaze - Lori, Leni, Lynn, Lana and Lisa, and little Lily was crawling on the floor, playing with all possible toys. Hearing some rustling behind her, the youngest sister turned towards the door and stared at Luan, even dropping her rattles. This awkward silence lasted for a few seconds, after which Lily screamed joyfully and ran laughing towards the arriving "guest".     - Luan! Luan! Luan! - came from the lips of the ever-approaching little girl. Soon she ran up to Luan's leg and hugged her tighter than even her favorite plush toy.     - Hi, Lily. I missed you, - the girl said with a slight smile, carefully picking up her little sister in her arms, which was difficult for her bandaged hands. The lively laughter of the little person in the purple T-shirt drove away the fear and uncertainty of the older sister a little - after all, at least someone was definitely waiting for her return. But the most exciting is yet to come. She looked up at the rest of the people in the living room and after a moment's pause, she took a few hesitant steps forward, leaving her white-haired brother behind. Looking at them shyly, Luan lowered her eyes back to the floor, searching for the right words.     - I really missed all of you guys, - she said quietly, trying to either hide and protect herself from possible attacks, or fall through the floor right now from guilt. - Forgive me... Such a touching moment couldn't help but bring a few tears to Leni's eyes. Her emotional spectrum sometimes amazed the imagination, no one from all the acquaintances of the Loud family had so much empathy and sympathy for all living beings. The fashionista took a few steps forward and came close to Luan, knelt down and hugged her, starting to burst into tears.     - Y-you can't even imagine h-how we w-worried about you, - Leni whined, salty tears running down her cheeks in thin streams. The other sisters didn't wait long and also rushed to the girl who had returned to her home, trying to squeeze closer to her in order to hug her and hold her close. All of their eyes were wet, even the phlegmatic and cold Lisa didn't skimp on emotions, sniffed and brushed away a few tears. Lynn made it clear with her whole appearance that she would still have time to tell Luan a lesson, but now it wasn't particularly important - deep down she was sincerely happy. Lincoln didn't rush into this crowd, deciding to leave these emotions for those who weren't destined to visit the patient earlier. He was still standing at the door and only smiling, enjoying this touching scene. And everything was fine until he noticed out of the corner of his eye a dark silhouette in the middle of the stairs and remembered something not very good. Of course, he completely forgot that everything couldn't be so rosy...     Turning his head, he saw exactly what he initially thought of - purple fur slippers, a long T-shirt of a slightly darker shade with a skull on the chest and tousled hair. It was Luna - the very nail that could ruin a pretty good start. However, she didn't move at all. Her face exuded either indifference, or anger, or pity. Lincoln didn't manage to understand her true emotions, because after standing for a few seconds, she looked at the boy, closed her eyes, took a heavy sigh and, turning around, began to climb back up. "Yeah, I should have expected this", - the albino thought to himself and looked into the living room again, after which he froze in place. Of all those present there, only Lori noticed the legs going up the stairs, and now she looked at Lincoln in confusion. During this week, everyone had already guessed that it would be the most difficult to explain all to Luna, so her appearance put the eldest daughter into a stupor. But the white-haired boy always has a plan. Not always a good one, not always a working one, but at least some kind of one.     Without thinking twice, he looked Lori in the eyes, pointed his thumb at himself, and then nodded towards the stairs, silently commanding: "I'll try to settle everything, take on the rest". The "reconciliation partner" quickly nodded her head and returned to the rest of the sisters, in the crowd of whom Lynn had already started lecturing Luan, and if she wasn't stopped, she would definitely not shut up anytime soon. Lincoln stole a glance into the living room and quickly went up to the second floor, heading to one of his sisters' rooms. Now his heartbeat accelerated, and he was simply trying to find the right words for the conversation, because the conversation was going to be very difficult. And now the door is already in front of him, all that's left is to knock, enter and try to nip it in the bud. Although the guy himself didn't really believe that everything would work out so easily. Okay, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Deep breath in, deep breath out, and... knock on the door.     The sounds of hitting the strings along with unintelligible grumbling came from the room, and Lincoln took this as permission to enter. Opening the door and going inside, the albino quickly looked around the room - it was crystal clear that only one half of it had lived here for the last week. The musician's creative mess chaotically changed every day, but Luan's neatly tidied half, which was completely uncharacteristic of her, was already making you think. The older sister was sitting on a chair and quietly playing a song that everyone in this house had heard more than once. "Oh, well, of course - her favorite dragons", - Lincoln thought.

Trouble, blood is in the rocky waters

Hide away your sons and daughters,

Eat you alive

Lincoln couldn't help but admit that Luna sings many songs beautifully, and she has a great voice, but this track holds a special place in his heart. After all, he sings it from time to time, no secret about it.

Levels, better put your head on swivels

Dancing with the very devil,

Butter to knife

He could have enjoyed his personal concert for a long time, but there was lack of it, and there was a lot to do. Or rather, to try to do. "Okay, calm down, you came for something else, Link. Don't get distracted", - the guy collected his thoughts.     - Luna? I'd like to talk to you, - Lincoln began hesitantly.     - Yeah. I can guess about what, - Luna muttered sullenly, who had already begun to diligently change the strings on her recently purchased guitar.     - Look, I understand everything, really. I've been sick of these thoughts all week too. But now Luan is back - alive and well. You can't be mad at her forever, - her younger brother tried to convince her. Luna tore herself away from her guitar and stared down. She closed her eyes and exhaled heavily into the void.     - Lincoln, what should I do? Hm? That night it was like I was torn apart and left completely alone in the midst of these nightmares. And then at the hospital they told us that she wasn't coming to her senses. And I didn't sleep or eat anything for the next few days, - the guitarist answered, each next sentence was getting harder and harder. - And you're suggesting that I just take all this and forget about it? Go laugh and rejoice with everyone as if nothing happened a week ago? Lincoln's expectations from the conversation were decreasing, and the right words were disappearing faster and faster. Luna had turned everything into a negative channel, and he needed to quickly return everything back. Or at least not go further into the abyss.     - Okay, I understand. But please promise me that you won't nag her. She's having a hard time right now, just like all of us, including you, - the guy continued his persuasion, pointing his finger at his sister. - I really want everything to go back to its place. I hope that you want it too. Luna had completely forgotten about the strings and, turning her head away, looked somewhere at the wall. An empty and completely unreadable look, chilling the soul and heart. It was completely unintelligible. "Come on, Luna, stop playing the silent game."     - I'll try, - the dark figure blurted out into the void, - I don't like making promises I might not keep. It's better this way, it'll be fair.     - Agreed, I'll poke you if anything happens, - Lincoln said more cheerfully. - Thanks for that.     - Nothing to thank for now. And by the way... there's one snag you can help us solve, Luna said, looking at the bottom tier of the bunk bed. Lincoln looked at the bed, thought for a few seconds, and didn't understand anything, giving his sister a questioning look.     - We share a room, Lincoln, - the brunette said, rolling her eyes. - I don't think that's possible right now. If it comes to that. Lincoln slapped himself on the forehead. Right, how could he forget about that - Luan shares a room with Luna. The girls would definitely not get along in the near future, and this problem had to be solved somehow. Several options were running through the guy's head, but he wasn't sure that both parties would like at least one of them.     - Yeah, but we don't have any free rooms, so the only way to solve this is... if someone switches places, - Lincoln swallowed nervously, hoping that his plan wouldn't be ruined now.     - That's right, and I have a proposal, - Luna said, raising her head to her brother. - You will switch with Luan - she will live in your room, and you will live with me. Surprise. So much so that Lincoln was stunned. Although the rocker was a girl with character and wasn't particularly shy about saying something directly, but still - it was abrupt and unexpected. And it was the solution to the problem.     - So, do you agree? - a hoarse voice sounded, which brought the albino out of his trance.     - Oh, yeah, of course. I agree. I think this is the best option, - Lincoln answered, somewhat stumbling and embarrassed.     - That's all, I agree too, - Luna said, quickly looking at the floor and returning to the strings of her guitar. Her movements became somewhat awkward and uneven, her hands began to slow down and hold the instrument worse and worse. Lincoln looked away and took a few steps towards the door.     - Thank you again, - he said, standing half-turned and already about to reach for the handle.     - Wait. The guy stopped with his back to the girl as if rooted to the spot, as if awaiting his sentence. Turning sideways, he gave her a puzzled look.     - That night, when all this happened... when everything became clear... how did you feel? - Luna asked without looking at her brother. - Weren't you... offended? Lincoln had no answer to this question. Everything he felt then couldn't be called resentment or disappointment. It was more regret and... understanding? Yes, he understood perfectly well why Luan did that – she simply couldn't take it anymore and broke down. Or so it seemed to him. He himself certainly wouldn't have done that, but it wasn't about him.     - I don't know, honestly, - the guy answered after thinking. - I don't think I felt offended, it was all too complicated… too many emotions at once and I… I got confused. Something like that. An awkward silence hung in the air, through the silence only the heavy breathing of the people in the room could be heard.     - I'll go, I guess… I need to warn Luan about everything, and… well, you know, - Lincoln said uncertainly and quietly. In response, only vague sounds were heard, which either agreed with Link's words, or even urged him to hurry. The white-haired boy had no other choice, he opened the door, took a quick look at his sister and left the room. Right after that, there was a dull thud – the guitar that Luna had been holding with difficulty for some time fell to the floor. Without reacting to the fallen newcomer to her music collection, the rocker sat for a few minutes in complete silence, after which she took a pack of cigarettes out of the desk drawer. She hadn't indulged in tobacco for a long time, but now… now wasn't the time to think about it. One neat and strong bundle had already been set on fire, and the acrid smoke began to fill the room. There was only one track in her head. And only these lines. How timely everything was.

Bubbles, drowning, you're seeing doubles

Don't you let them see your struggles,

Hiding your tears

    "You'll tell him anyway, just don't rush - everything has its time. And remember..."

Crisis, take advantage of your niceness

Cut you up in even slices,

Prey on your fears

    "You can't trust anyone. Now you're on your own..."

You think you're better than them, better than them

    - Yes... yes, you're right. Sooner or later, he'll find out. He'll definitely find out, - came through the cigarette smoke and the terrifying darkness.

You think they're really your friends, really your friends

    - And then... then I will do anything.

But when it comes to the end, to the end

    - I will never give up.

You're just the same as them, same as them

« HA-HA-HA-HA-HA »

    The smoke from another cigarette puff evaporated upward in graceful streams, burning her plump scarlet lips...

"Well, well, well. How interesting, it looks like we've made some friends. And apparently very strong and smart friends. Which means our ridiculous little angel is getting closer and closer to jumping into the abyss. I think we should…  get to know them better "

20-8-5 13-9-7-8-20-25 13-9-13-5'19 6-18-9-5-14-4-19 23-9-12-12 1-16-16-5-1-18 15-21-20 15-6 2-12-21-5,

6-15-18-2-9-4-4-5-14 4-5-19-9-18-5-19 23-9-12-12 19-8-1-20-20-5-18 8-15-13-5 3-18-5-23.

19-8-15-23 9-19 2-5-7-9-14-14-9-14-7, 20-8-5 13-1-4 12-1-19-19 1-14-4 3-12-15-23-14

9-19 20-8-9-19 21-14-9-15-14 2-15-21-14-4 15-18 1-14-15-20-8-5-18 23-1-18'19 3-18-15-23-14?