~Chapter 1~

The Angel Curse

When you go into the woods,

Make sure you do not trip

For if you find the door,

God’s might you shall flip

Open the prison,

And you shall be cursed

Forever with a pain,

You cannot reverse

Never let it go,

Never shed a tear

For if you go inside,

You’ll find your heart in fear

Everyone in Wolf Haven knew that song. It was a nursery rhyme only found in Wolf Haven. Even if you move into the town, you will be told this. Your family will be told it.

It’s a warning from above. It’s a song and a constant fear.

Back as the first settlers of Wolf Haven plucked fruit from their orchards, there was a bright light. From that light descended two beings. The first had black hair, hazel eyes, tan skin and was covered in so much blood that his wings stained red. He was fighting against the second being, as if his soul depended on it. Little did the settlers know, it did.

The second being was magnificent compared to the first. Clad in shining armor with glowing white wings, the first being was a pale comparison for he was dressed in only ripped trousers. The second being struck down the first and start chanting an incantation. Then the earth opened up, tentacles of light coiling around the first beings limbs and pulled him down into the dark abyss. The light from the tentacles faded and then the earth closed, putting the being into eternal darkness.

The second being turned to the watching humans who stared at him in wonder. He then proceeded to announce these lines:

“Tiny mortals, you have watched my battle against one of the Cursed. He used to be an angel of God’s realm but alas, he has been poisoned by darkness. I have sealed him within the earth to carry out his punishment. If anyone is to open his prison, they too shall be cursed. Heed my warning if you value your puny lives.”

And then he was gone. In the place where the earth had swallowed the first being, a wooden door as if going to a cellar was formed. The settlers, wisely taken heed of the warning, left that part of the orchard alone. Untended and feared, it blossomed into thick woodland.

Two hundred and fourteen years later, that warning has been turned into the nursery rhyme. Most of the residents of Wolf Haven believe it simply as folklore but they still sing the song, the warning of fear.

So, to this day, the Cursed Woods of Wolf Haven are never adventured. Too many people fear the outcome of trekking through those dark, mysterious woodlands.

That is, until the Russian came. Maya Molniya was a third generation American along with her younger brother Viktor. Their grandparents had traveled from Mother Russia and came to the United States. Their mother, Eva, was raised with Russian flowing through her veins and invading her senses. But she was still born in America, and was loyal to it.

Her daughter, Maya, and son, Viktor, was equally loyal to America. They learned the Russian language but they see themselves as loyal US citizen.

Though they do have that Russian spitfire.

One day, Eva announces to her daughter and son that they will be moving to Wolf Haven. Maya, of course, is pissed along with Viktor. They don’t want to leave their home in Nevada. They don’t want to leave their friends. The only bright side is that Maya’s and Viktor’s grandparents are also moving with them.

They all load up in an SUV and drive to Wolf Haven, having all their belongings shipped to their new homes. While they sing along with the local radio stations, Viktor and Maya sulking in the backseats, they are heading towards a fate everyone in Wolf Haven has feared.

But, all they’ve feared is an asshole, so what’s the big deal? That’s something Maya will soon be thinking.