shattered harmonies

The soft hum of the city outside was like an undertone to Lila's thoughts, a distant melody that filled the silences of her apartment. Ever since the night Arden kissed her, the air between them felt charged, fragile yet thrilling. She didn't know what their relationship meant yet—if it even had a name—but she wasn't about to question the way her chest warmed when he entered the room or how his voice seemed to anchor her to the present.

That morning, she found herself standing by the window, watching the faint streaks of sunlight filter through the blinds. Arden had been quiet since their outing the day before, the usual teasing lilt in his tone replaced by a distant shadow. He stood across the room now, his back turned to her, staring intently at the violin resting on the coffee table.

"You've been staring at it all morning," she said, breaking the silence.

Arden didn't turn, his posture rigid. "It's restless. You can feel it too, can't you?"

She hesitated, remembering the strange sensation from the night before—the way the violin had seemed to take control of her hands, weaving a melody that wasn't her own. She had tried to shake it off, but the memory clung to her, an eerie reminder of the curse's grip on their lives.

"I feel it," she admitted, stepping closer. "But what does it mean? Why now?"

Arden sighed, finally turning to face her. His eyes held a weight she hadn't seen before, as though he were carrying something far heavier than the curse itself.

"It means it's waking up," he said quietly. "The curse is tied to emotion, to connection. And…" He trailed off, his gaze softening as it settled on her. "We've been giving it plenty of both."

The words hung between them, unspoken truths laced with guilt and longing. Lila felt her chest tighten, but she refused to let the weight of the curse dictate her feelings. She took a step closer, her voice firm.

"So what? Are you saying we should stop caring? Pretend none of this is real?"

"I don't want to stop," Arden said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But if it means keeping you safe, then maybe…"

"Don't," Lila interrupted, her tone sharp. "Don't even think about running away again. We've come this far, Arden. I'm not about to let some ancient curse decide how I live my life."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension crackled like a storm waiting to break, but Lila refused to back down. She saw the conflict in Arden's eyes, the fear that mirrored her own. But there was something else there too—a quiet resolve that gave her hope.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said finally, his voice steady. "But you need to understand, Lila. This isn't just about the violin anymore. The curse… it's not going to let us walk away without a fight."

"Then we'll fight," she said simply, her determination unwavering.

Arden looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and picked up the violin.

-----------

After

The library was a relic from another time, its dusty shelves stretching endlessly toward the vaulted ceiling. Lila had never seen anything like it, and despite the weight of their mission, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of awe as they stepped inside. Arden led the way, his movements purposeful as though he had been here before.

They spent hours combing through the shelves, searching for any mention of the cursed violin. Lila's fingers brushed over brittle pages, her eyes scanning faded text for answers. It was tedious, but she refused to give up. She had promised Arden they would find a way, and she intended to keep that promise.

It was late in the afternoon when she found it—a journal tucked away in a forgotten corner of the library. The leather cover was cracked and worn, the pages yellowed with age. As she opened it, a shiver ran down her spine.

"Arden," she called, her voice hushed but urgent.

He was at her side in an instant, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the book in her hands.

"What is it?" he asked.

She flipped through the pages, her fingers trembling. "It's a journal. It talks about the violin—about its creation. Listen to this: 'The luthier Elias crafted the violin as a gift for the woman he loved. But when she died, his grief consumed him, and in his despair, he cursed the instrument, binding his soul to it forever.'"

Arden's jaw tightened, his expression darkening. "That explains why it's so powerful."

"There's more," Lila said, her voice growing quieter. "It says the curse can be broken… but the price is high."

"What price?"

She turned the page, her heart sinking as she read the words aloud. "The one who breaks the curse must surrender their soul to the violin, taking the luthier's place."

The room seemed to grow colder, the weight of the revelation pressing down on them. Lila met Arden's gaze, her chest aching at the look of anguish in his eyes.

"No," he said firmly. "We'll find another way."

"Arden—"

"I mean it, Lila," he said, his voice harsh. "I'm not letting you sacrifice yourself for this."

Lila closed the journal, her hands trembling. She wanted to believe there was another way, but deep down, a part of her already knew the truth. The curse wasn't something they could outsmart or overpower. It demanded a price, and sooner or later, someone would have to pay it.

When they returned to the apartment, the tension between them was palpable. Lila set the journal on the table, her mind racing with everything they had learned. Arden paced the room, his movements restless, his thoughts clearly tangled.

Before either of them could speak, a sudden knock at the door shattered the silence. Lila frowned, exchanging a wary glance with Arden.

"Were you expecting someone?" she asked.

He shook his head, his expression tense. "Stay here."

Arden moved to the door, his posture defensive as he opened it. The figure standing on the other side was a man Lila recognized instantly—Victor. His presence filled the room like a storm cloud, his face twisted with anger.

"I warned you," Victor said, his voice low and dangerous. "I told you to keep your distance from her."

Lila stood, her heart pounding as she stepped into the room. "Victor, what are you talking about?"

Victor's gaze shifted to her, his eyes burning with intensity. "You don't understand what you're dealing with, girl. That violin isn't just cursed—it's alive. And it's been feeding on both of you since the moment you picked it up."

Arden stepped between them, his voice cold. "That's enough, Victor."

"Is it?" Victor shot back, his tone sharp. "Or are you going to keep lying to her? Tell her how many times you've tried to break the curse. Tell her how many people you've lost because of it."

Lila's breath caught, her gaze snapping to Arden. "What is he talking about?"

Arden didn't answer, his silence speaking volumes.

Victor's expression was grim. "You think you're special, Lila? You're not. You're just the next in line."

Before she could respond, a sudden, searing pain shot through her chest. Lila gasped, clutching the violin case as the world around her blurred.

"Lila!" Arden's voice was distant, his arms catching her as she collapsed.

In the darkness, she heard a voice—a cold, haunting whisper that sent chills down her spine.

"You dare defy me?"

The last thing she saw was Arden's face, his expression etched with fear, before everything went black.