The Harlequin's Curse

      As soon as Lincoln closed the door behind him, he heard a noise in the room. "Oh, I hope it was just something falling", – he thought to himself with a heavy sigh and turned towards the stairs, intending to take a few steps towards them. But it didn't work out – almost at the very entrance to the room, Luan was standing with her mouth slightly open, blinking her eyelashes in fear. "Yeah, damn it, of course", – he cursed mentally, choosing his words and trying to bring his frozen body out of its stupor.     – Sorry, Lincoln, I... I just lost you and decided... to look upstairs... and I..., – the girl tried to explain, hiding her coffee-colored eyes behind her curls.     – You heard everything, right? – the albino asked warily, hoping not to receive in response what he saw a second later – an uncertain nod.     – Well, I... yes, I accidentally... I'm sorry. Lincoln took a deep breath and started rubbing the bridge of his nose – on the one hand, it was even good, now he didn't have to try to smooth over all the rough edges and figure out how to tell her everything more gently. But on the other hand... well, no, she wasn't supposed to find out about it like that. Okay, it had already happened, nothing could be fixed.     – Ooh... Okay, since you heard everything, sooo... yes, there is such an option – until everything settles down, you will live in my room, and I will take your place in yours, – the albino began, looking warily at his sister, then at the door to the side of him. – Do you... agree with this option? Luan slightly hesitated in place, her eyes darted across the floor and attracted her brother's gaze. At the last moment, a slightly gloomy expression appeared on her face, which immediately disappeared – she clearly wanted to say something, but didn't dare.     – I think so... I agree.     – Okay then, – Lincoln sighed happily – his plan hadn't fallen apart. – Then let's sort out the moving things. I'll help you with everything, but only after a hearty breakfast, – he said, walking around Luan and moving towards the stairs. – Judging by the smell, dad made our favorite omelet with bacon, and you should have some food. Are you coming?     – Yeah, yeah, I'll be right down. I'll catch up with you, – the girl rattled off, throwing a quick glance towards Linc, who smiled at her and almost instantly ran into the kitchen. When her brother's figure disappeared from sight, the girl closed her eyes and sighed languidly, after which she turned to the door of what was once her room. A spark of anger and madness flashed through her head.     – Not bad, sister. 1:0, now it's my turn.  

***

    If you ask any member of the Loud family who cooks the best, the answer will be quick, clear and unanimous – Lynn Sr. The head of the family is not just a good cook, he literally lives cooking and adores everything connected with it. It's not surprising that everyone gobbled up his omelet, the plates were only left empty on the table and shining in the sun.     – Delicious! You must have missed this kind of food, huh? – Lincoln asked his sister sitting next to him, putting the cutlery aside.     – That's true, they don't feed you like this in the hospital, – Luan answered with a smile. Indeed, this breakfast seemed to her the most delicious in her entire life. But something still bothered her. Firstly, she still hadn't found her two younger sisters – Lucy and Lola. And secondly... Luna. "I should... at least try, right?" – she thought to herself, to which she suddenly received a thought out of nowhere in response: "It's worth it, take a chance, it won't get any worse."     – Linc... Linc! – Luan hissed in a whisper towards her brother, who was completely lost in his thoughts.     – What? Luan, what is it? – Lincoln answered, having come to his senses, also in a whisper.     – I'll go upstairs. I'll try... to talk to Luna, – she whispered hesitantly, in response to which she received a stunned look from the white-haired guy. He turned around and made sure that no one else heard this, after which he spoke in a whisper again:     – Luan, are you sure? Should I come with you?     – No, don't. I have to... do this myself, – the girl said firmly and fearfully at the same time. Lincoln looked down and gently put his hand on her shoulder.     – Okay. Good luck, sis, – the albino said quietly, smiling faintly. Luan nodded and gave him a weak smile. Getting up from the table and thanking father for such a wonderful meal, she slowly walked to the stairs and trudged up. Less than a minute passed and the girl was at the top, although it felt like it took her forever to get to the second floor – her legs still felt like they were stuffed with cotton wool. "Okay, I'll just go in and try to explain something", – Luan thought to herself, but before she could do anything, she heard the sound of a door opening behind her, and then a high, loud and displeased voice rang out, not even a single thought had time to cross her mind.     – LUAN LOUD! Luan froze in place as if her body had suddenly turned into a frozen mixture of concrete, metal and something even stronger. The only thing she could do was turn around and look at the source of such a piercing screech. And of course, only she could screech like that – Lola. Her Majesty, the princess of the family, and also Mrs. "I'm the best, and don't even think about arguing". Such an unexpected appearance knocked Luan off track, and now she had to quickly pick up new words, while trying not to forget the old ones.     – H-hello, Lola, how are you..., – she began in a trembling voice, but was immediately interrupted.     – You can't even imagine how angry I am right now! – the princess in the pink dress continued to screech in a quieter, but still menacing voice, arrogantly and quickly approaching Luan.     – Lola, I-I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to...     – I don't want to hear anything! What were you thinking? Do you even understand what you did to us?! – Lola hissed at her sister like a snake, already standing almost solid. The nut-colored strands fell lower and lower, at some point they fell from her temples and covered her rosy and flushed cheeks. Luan had no choice but to look at her bandaged hands and blush, admitting her guilt and being ashamed of herself. A deadly silence lasted for a few seconds, after which the little blonde leaned forward and hugged the girl who was barely standing on her feet.     – Never, do you hear, never do that again, – Lola said quietly, pressing herself even closer and sniffling several times. This was a big surprise, the weak arms slowly and hesitantly rose higher and hugged her little sister. It took Luan a few seconds to come to her senses, and a smile appeared on her face, and her arms only strengthened the familiar embrace. The touches were very gentle and cozy, the princess's skin was warm, it seemed to lull and take all thoughts away. Or maybe everyone has simply forgotten what a hug from Lola is. After all, such a royal person is not supposed to hug, so the local queen here doesn't spoil anyone in particular.     – I don't want to disturb you… The hugging figures jumped away from each other as if scalded and sharply exhaled in fear. Turning back, coffee-colored eyes caught a glance hiding from under a bang as black as the midnight sky – it was Lucy.     – ... but I also want to steal a piece of time from Luan, – the goth said in a monotonous and slightly trembling voice.     – Lucy! My heart almost stopped, why scare me like that?! – squeaked Lola, breathing intermittently and holding her chest.     – Sorry, sister. This is my calling and my curse, – Lucy said in her usual manner and took a deep breath, slightly lowering her head down. The blonde managed to catch her breath and cast a stern look at the queen of darkness, and then turned around and walked with an important gait towards the stairs.     – Fie! Okay, time for breakfast. And by the way, Luan…, – she said, turning her head back and looking at her figure. – Your new image even suits you. And you can consider this hug my mercy! – she continued, puffing out her cheeks and raising her voice slightly. – Of course, I'm glad you're back, but I'm still mad at you! After these words, Lola turned up her nose and quickly disappeared from sight, only the tapping of her little shoes on the stairs echoed throughout the floor. Luan knew perfectly well what kind of reaction to expect, so she wasn't particularly surprised. On the contrary, the situation was developing exactly as she imagined. Well, except for hugs, there was no such point in the plans. Okay, now it's Lucy's turn.     – Hello, Lucy, – she began a little more confidently, but still a little afraid, shy and ashamed, – how are you?     – Everything is as usual – gloomy and dark, and after your return a little colorful, – Lucy answered quietly, taking a small step towards Luan. The latter tensed up – Lucy never really liked bright colors, so such an association couldn't help but be alarming.     – But you know what...? – the little goth continued, tilting her head to the side and letting her black hair slide to the side, revealing the same matte-black and rarely seen by anyone iris.     – W-what...? – Luan squeezed out with even greater caution. In response, Lucy only took a few small steps forward and hugged her sister, who didn't understand anything.     – I'm happy about these colors. And that you came back, – she said in a trembling voice, in which barely noticeable notes of tenderness and joy were heard. This became an even greater surprise and unexpectedness for the "newly arrived guest" than the same hugs from Lola. For Lucy to speak about bright flowers like that, hug someone and speak in such a voice – it can't be. But now, for some reason, Luan really believed it, tears welled up in her eyes, and her hands themselves reached out to return the hug.     – And I'm glad, Lucy. Very glad, – she answered quietly, sobbing, trying to hug her younger sister as tightly as her cottony arms allowed. And she would have stood like that for as long as possible, but there was still one unfinished business. The business for which she had gone upstairs. Reluctantly, she broke the hug and lightly ruffled the goth's head, tousling her already unruly hair.     – Thank you, Lucy. And now I want to talk to Luna. Or rather, try to talk, – Luan said, casting a quick glance at the door to her room.     – That's a good point. I can only wish you good luck, sister, – the younger one replied, adjusting her hair and also casting fleeting glances at the door to the room. – I think you've already realized that it won't be easy.     – Yeah, understood is putting it even mildly, – the corners of her lips began to curl downwards after this phrase. – But these are my problems, and I'll try to solve them. Lucy nodded and slowly moved toward the stairs. Stopping at the very edge, she froze in place and whispered words that never reached Luan's ears:     – No, sister, now these are our common problems... The elder one was about to ask again, but Lucy seemed to have vanished. "Okay, I'll figure it out later. Now I need to get back to business", – she thought and shook her head as if trying to get rid of all the annoying thoughts that were interfering. Returning to the room, Luan exhaled heavily and thought for the last time about what she would say at all. Not a single chain, not a single thought, not even a single idea came to mind. But there was nowhere to go, to run and hide either. Pulling herself together and closing her eyes from excitement, she raised her bandaged hand and weakly knocked on the door. Some rustling was heard in the room, which soon died down, and a few seconds later the door opened. Luna stood on the threshold with her hair still disheveled, a strong smell of tobacco emanating from her, and her eyes covered with half-lowered eyelids. Seeing Luan in front of her, she pursed her lips and exhaled almost silently, slightly rolling her eyes.     – H-hi, Luna, I…, – Luan began, but was quickly interrupted.     – Hi, has Lincoln told you everything yet? – Luna said emotionlessly, looking straight into the deep coffee-colored eyes opposite her.     – Yes, he… told you everything, – Luan answered with a second's pause, – but that's not why I'm here. I want… The musician leaned against the doorway, bowed her head and gave her sister a questioning and arrogant look.     – I want to talk to you, – the girl blurted out, lowering her head and trying to hide from the fear-inducing eyes. Luna remained motionless, as if she didn't trust these words, as if she was trying to catch even the slightest note of sincerity. And Luan exuded hundreds, if not thousands of such notes, obvious and hidden, strong and weak, but most importantly – real and honest. It was just not easy for a frozen and broken from betrayal heart to notice this. Taking a few steps back from the threshold, Luna turned around and gestured for the guest to come inside, going to her table in the corner of the room. The recently fallen guitar was already lying on it, and next to it stood a small ashtray, from which long and graceful curls of smoke from an unsmoked cigarette were escaping.     – Well, let's talk, but about what? – Luna said sternly, leaning on the table and taking the very instrument from it without looking. Luan carefully entered the room and quietly closed the door.     – I... I understand that you're upset with me, even... angry, – she began uncertainly, slowly approaching the table. – But I really regret all of this. I didn't mean it...     – You didn't mean it? What did you mean, Luan? – the brunette asked, turning her head back, looking reproachfully at her bandaged hands. – What was going through your head when you decided to abandon all of us, huh?     – I didn't mean to abandon you, – Luan desperately fought back, trying to somehow show awareness of her guilt, – I just... couldn't... I couldn't control it...     – Oh great, she couldn't control it, – Luna blurted out at the ceiling, after which she stood up abruptly, threw the guitar on the table and turned to her victim, – are you a little child or something? How could you not control it? "Tell her. Let her know first! She needs to understand this, then she'll come to terms with it faster", – flashed through Luan's mind, and the face of a familiar mime flashed before her eyes. "What... no, I won't do this! I won't let you manipulate me again", – the girl thought, as if trying to answer the mime, but instead she only saw Luna in front of her again, menacingly saying something, hanging over her like clouds before a storm.     – Have you even thought about us?! About what will happen to us? – Luna continued to press, actively waving her arms and coming closer. "No, you don't have to say that. Not now. It's not time yet. How hard...", – Luan thought to herself, trying to contain her emotions.     – Kill yourself in our own bathroom? Are you crazy?! – Luna was almost screaming, standing close. – Have you thought about your parents? Have you thought about your sisters?! Maybe you thought about Linco...     – I'm sick, so I couldn't control myself! – Luan snapped and clenched her hands into weak fists, which caused a stabbing pain to the skin under the bandages. Both sisters froze in place, tears of resentment welling up in their eyes, each of them only breathing heavily and nothing more. A deadly silence hung in the room, almost complete darkness and wet eyelashes didn't allow you to see anything.     – What? – Luna asked quietly.     – I... I was told that I have... some kind of mental illness, – Luan answered quietly, sniffling and rubbing her eyes. – The doctors aren't sure what it is yet. That's why I have to go to therapy. I don't even know how I can help myself. The musician stood and didn't move, carefully studying her sister's face. Shame and regret were growing inside her, starting a deadly battle with resentment, anger and jealousy. She no longer understood how to act and what to say, the whole situation was out of control.     – Who else knows about this? – she asked, closing her eyes.     – No one yet. I… thought about telling only parents, Lincoln, so that he could accompany me, and you… if needed, – Luan answered, lowering her head. Luna turned her head to the side and froze in a stupor, making something like a mad grin on her face. – You see, I was right, – flashed through her mind.     – Luna, please… I want everything back the way it was, – the guest with hazel hair whispered, returning her sister back to this world. Luna glanced at her quickly, and just as quickly turned to her desk. On it was a guitar that had been thrown down a few minutes ago, an ashtray with a half-smoked cigarette, and several packs of new strings. Everything that had been on it half an hour ago, but now something was wrong. "If you can't decide now, then at least postpone this decision", – the disgruntled and defiant voice appeared in the rocker's head again.     – I… I need time. It doesn't go away that quickly, – Luna said quietly, languidly exhaling forward into the void.     – Okay, but please… just remember that, – Luan answered, moving back to the door. – I'm very sorry about this. Forgive me… Having said this, she quickly left the room and closed the door almost silently for such speed. Turning her back, the girl slid down and sat on the floor, tears welling up in her eyes, and thousands of thoughts raging in her head – from self-hatred to anger at everyone around her. But there was something else, something strange and incredibly burning – the realization that the mime was right. It was eating away at Luan from the inside, her heart was burning with a scorching flame for the first time in a long time, but not because of joy, happiness or other positive nonsense. Oh no, it was blazing because of misunderstanding, anger and… a sense of rivalry. "You saw this grin, and you understand perfectly well what it means", – the voice echoed in her confused head.     – I… I don't know, – Luan whispered under her breath, – maybe you're right, but that's no reason… that's no reason to destroy our family. A sharp pain hit the girl's temples, causing her to clutch her head and hug her knees. "You'll remember my words when you've lost all your chances and hopes. You'll slip up, and when you do – everyone will know. And then it will be too late", – a voice thundered inside, forcing the girl to hide behind her own nut-colored locks. The pulsation in her temples suddenly disappeared, the voice also died down, and Luan finally removed her hands from her head and opened her eyes.     – No... I can handle it... Myself. At that moment, her phone vibrated in pocket, which she hurried to get out. An unknown number. "Who is it?" - the girl thought for a second, quickly wiping away her tears and calming down. Having caught her breath, she took the call:     – Yeah?     – Hi, Luan. How are you feeling? – a suspiciously familiar voice spoke.     – H-hi, f-fine, and who are you? – Luan asked with caution and wariness, and the voice on the line chuckled quietly.     – Forgot to write down the number, right? It's Benny. Oh yeah, now everything fell into place – he wrote down her number to contact the doctor and further treatment. It completely slipped her mind.     – Oh, I'm sorry Benny. I really forgot about it.     – It's okay, – the voice on the other end answered, – you're going through a difficult time right now. By the way, I'm calling about therapy – we would like to have the first session in the next three days. When would be convenient for you? – Benny asked, rustling some documents.     – Tomorrow, – Luan answered immediately, – let's do it tomorrow morning, will that work?     – Wow, how fast. I'll check right now, – the brown-haired man said in surprise and rustled the papers again. – Yes, tomorrow will work, at 10 am. See you then.     – Yeah... yeah, s-see you, – Luan stammered, hanging up the call and putting her head on her knees. "The day is getting harder", – she thought to herself, while tears rolled down her legs.  

***

Meanwhile in the room...

    Luna was sitting at the table, clutching her head in her hands. Everything had gone completely wrong, she definitely didn't expect this. Tears were still in her eyes, her hands were shaking, and her eyes were running everywhere in panic. An endless stream of thoughts in her head, among which there was only one reasonable voice.     – I was right from the very beginning, I hope at least now you understand it, – a muffled voice sounded, as if from the abyss.     – I can't... I don't want to destroy everything I have. But just giving up... no, I won't do that either, – Luna whispered frantically under her breath.     – You want to live in a sweet lie, huh? Or will you accept the bitter truth and fight? – the voice became clearer and closer. Luna's eyes fell on her guitar lying on the table and she stared at it with an unreadable gaze. A few seconds, and she slowly rose from her chair, frozen for a few more moments. Finally, she turned around and looked at her amplifiers standing against the wall. A dark figure sat on the largest of them – rocker boots painted in white and purple stripes, leather fingerless mittens from under which torn wounds and cuts on her fingers were visible, a matte black miniskirt with chains on the sides and a black and white bomber jacket with rolled up sleeves, stained with blood and hung with pins, needles and rings. Her ears were pierced in several places, nose, eyebrows and lower lip suffered the same fate, and her hair was chaotically dyed black, white and purple. Tattoos of various contents were visible on her arms – skulls, names of musical groups, esoteric symbols, and on her neck one large inscription was visible – "I'm D.N. Luna", and just below were uneven intermittent stripes and a smaller phrase – "Cut here to be sure".     – I don't want to break our family, but for my desires, for my feelings... I am ready to fight, – Luna said firmly, sniffling.     – That's great, – her dark copy answered with a grin. – Then you should listen to me, at least sometimes. Neither of us would like a war with each other, right? After these words, the cut fingers began to flare up with a hellish red flame, soon spreading to the entire palm, which was extended towards the girl frozen in anticipation and fear.     – It's a deal! Or do you want to lose everything that is left in your life? Luna faced a difficult choice, which could have been her saving grace or her downfall in abyss. She can just live quietly, drown it all out, right? She doesn't need to destroy everything around her, right? It's too dangerous. She can't follow this lead. It would ruin everything, it would destroy everyone. "I really can't risk it like that", – Luna thought at the last second and closed her eyes.     ...     "I can't do that"     ...     "I can't put everyone in danger"     ...     "I can't..."     ...     ....     .....     – I agree.     The decisive phrase rang out in the room like a sentence, echoing in the brunette's head. Only the bright and scorching fire of the handshake was reflected in her deep eyes. Only the fire and the little hope for which she gave herself as payment.

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