Janet was on fire. She was burning in Hells fire.

No other assumption could explain the horribly scorching sensations she felt, fitting end seeing as how her surname was McFyre. She had met her end in fire after all. Years later and still the McFyre family curse prove true. The police would investigate, they would look for her charred remains but then again much fuss wouldnt be made. It was just another McFyre hitting the dirt in fire. Although no one outside of the family circle knew of the curse, the McFyre family was an old family in Little Whinging, Surrey and thus rumors had begun to spreading after fifteen generations of McFyre kept meeting their end fire; rumors about the family being cursed. Janet knew her death would be the topic at the womens mid-afternoon gossip sessions when they met for tea. Her closest friend, Mr. Bryan who was the caretaker, once asked why the McFyre never moved but instead kept rebuilding over the very spot where one generation meets its end in fire. Janet always chuckled at the question for therein lies the crux of the matter. Why had no McFyre moved on? Janet thought back to the day before her birthday. She had slept fitfully, her dreams tainted by fire. She had taken out the family book which held the earliest documentation of the McFyre Family to read. Curiously enough wherever the book was kept was never burnt. Thus a piece of the previous family would remain upon which a new set of McFyre would make their lives. It had all started with Genve McFyre, who was the only Nobel woman back then that would not seek a suitor. She was the pride of her parents and the society. Her beauty was incomparable and her wit was as sharp as razor. Many sought to woo her but failed. Her parents despaired over the fact that she refused all of her suitors and in a desperate attempt sought to command a suitor unto her. Young as she was, she despised the idea of being a nobel lords wife. No, Genve wanted to be free and see the world. Unknowing to Genve, her parents arranged for her marriage to Lord Serpeticus, who was the richest and most powerful man in London. There were whispers of him wielding the powers of Lucifer but none dare accuse him openly unless they had a death wish. Genves distraught was of great proportions when she learnt of her imminent marriage. You see, Genve was in love with a handsome groomsman who worked for her parents. He was a groomsman with a big dream. The day her parent told her of her engagement Genve had been planning on informing her parents of her desire to marry William von Pere, the groomsman. Distraught at the news, Genve knew her parents would not allow her to marry William and thus she persuaded him to elope with her. Lord Serpeticus had been watching Genve closely ever since she had hit her teens. He had watched her like a vulture watching her next meal. He had noted with great satisfaction as she had turned away all of her suitors. She was worthy of being his wife and in his mind she was his soul mate. So it was with great rage that he leapt into his carriage to pursue her. That she would lower herself to elope with a mere groomsman! No woman was going to reject Lord Serpeticus! And the groomsman... ah the things he would do to that dastardly fellow that dared to steal his fair ladys heart. No, she was no longer fair and ere the day become night she shall be begging for her life and to marry him. Well Im sure we can all figure out where this is going. Remember those rumors about Lord Serpeticus? Well it would seem his practice of the Dark Arts was no mere story. He was a powerful warlock as Genve and William would soon discover. At quarter to midnight, Lord Serpeticus had successfully tracked Genve and William to a small house in Little Whinging. You just cant run from a warlock who

was Hell bent on finding you. There was an obvious confrontation upon which both men drew their swords and fought. William was well versed in the art of sword fighting but Lord Serpeticus was not just fighting with just his mere manual strength. No... Upon his discovery of Williams latent talent he called upon his Dark Arts, snapping almost every bone in Williams body. Seeing her lover was gravely wounded and only seconds away from Deaths embrace rushed over to shield him with her body effectively halted Lord Serpeticus from dealing the killing blow. Even though she had, in his mind, betrayed him he still cared enough for her and thus unable to harm her. Instead he gave her the obvious choice; marry him and hell spare Williams life or else... Genve was a wise woman and knew that alas her love would not live to see the morning even if he receives healing, even those of magical sorts. She also knew that despite Lord Serpeticuss promise he would soon kill William even if she consents to be his bride. Genve McFyre made the obvious decision and refused to marry Serpeticus. Enraged beyond belief, Lord Serpeticus lifted up his sword and staff above his head and began chanting in a strange language. The sword began glowing white while his staff had a black-ish glow. William encouraged Genve to leave while Lord Serpeticus seemed to have fallen into some sort of trance-like state. Genve, bathing her lovers face in her tears, confessed that she was with his child. Dying as he was and practically immobilized he still reached out for her and embraced her as tightly as he could as he cried in joy and sorrow. Alas, for the day has come that he would not see his child. Genve, you must leave, if not for your sake, then for the sake of our child. Please this is my last will to you. William rasped out. But-- No buts my sweet flower, time is of essence. He kissed her and with his last breath whispered, I love you Genve. Clutching his dead body to hers, Genve wept bitterly for her lost. No! Come back! Come back to me love! I love you! Come back! she cried heart wrenchingly and shook him roughly. But her William did not return and Lord Serpeticus was still in deep chant. Genve felt a great hatred well up inside of her as she looked at the man who had stolen her lover from her. She was seized with the strong desire to pick up Williams sword and lope his head off. She almost reached for the sword when she remembered her promise to take care and protect her child. As quiet as a church mouse, Genve moved around Serpeticus to the door. She grabbed a lantern on her way out into the cold nights air. As she made to escape she was grabbed from behind by Serpeticuss coachman and page in a vice-like grip. Struggle as she might she could not shake their grip. Despair began to set in and she was about to give up when she heard Williams voice scolding her. She had to think of their child! She would carry out the last will of her love before she met him again in Paradise. A new determination revived her limbs and renewed her strength. She would not fail William! She began squirming and kicking and scratching and screaming with all her might. She was like a wild cat! Still they were strong men and so their grips did not waver. Twisting around she sunk her teeth deep into the coachmans arm and was pretty sure she had taken out a chunk of the mans flesh as he let out an

almighty yell and let go of her. Taking advantage of her brief reprieve she clawed at the Pages face until he too let go of her. They were going to come after her soon and she knew she would have to make her reprieve count. A man, no matter how strong he was, still was a man. Genve expertly aimed a kick for the coachmans private as he came charging at her cursing. He went down like a sack of flour and began cursing even more. She spun around just as the Page came charging at her and blindly reached out and grabbed the nearby lantern. Swinging it with all her might she wacked the Page over his head effectively knocking him out cold. There was a muffled grunting sound and Genve noticed the coachman getting to his feet. Panicking, Genve took aim and tossed the lantern towards the coachman who was still struggling to get to his feet. The lantern connected with a thud as the man looked up and then fell to the floor shattering the glass confinement efficiently freeing the fire within. Now the house was old and wooden so when the flames made contact with the floor it ate away at it like a hungry lion. The coachman was the closest to the flame and thus the first to be embraced by its warm arms followed by the Page who was still unconscious on the ground. The flames were quickly spreading thorough the house and Genve knew she needed to get out and soon. With one last look at the burning pyre of her love she turned and was about to head out of the yard when Lord Serpeticuss voice rose in a sharp cry in the still nights air. She had almost forgotten he was still inside and she hoped that he wouldnt be able to shield himself from the flames so that he may get the horrible end he so rightly deserves. As if fueled by her hatred the flame licked even more greedily at the old house and from within Lord Serpeticuss voice rose eerily and spoke the words that would doom her entire line.

As I meet my end in this accursed fiery Hell that you have created so too you shall meet your end in fire Genve McFyre for your name shall be a constant reminder of your betrayal and of this curse. All those who come after you from your line shall be subjected to this curse. With the power invested in me by my great Lord Lucifer you shall live and die on this very land. You and yours shall know an ever flowing cycle of life and death on this land until the McFyre line is no more! Do not think to escape for I have bound you to this land through a blood rite. You now have a blood tie to this land! I curse you McFyre!
Well a blood rite requires blood and so Genves blood was need to complete the ritual. Had she took flight into the night she may have spared her descendants the confinement to the land but instead she just stood there in terror. Genve winced as something sharp nicked at her skin. Looking down she saw that a shard of glass was imbedded into her arm and blood began seeping through the fabric of her dress. As Genve stared at the glass in a daze, the glass began shaking, slipped out of her arm and flew straight into the inferno. Malicious laughter rose with the blaze and a plume of red smoke went up. The ritual is complete Genve! Where will you run now? Serpeticus declared nastily. Your doom is imminent! Ahahahahahahahaha! With a shriek, Genve set off into the night while Lord Serpeticus and his men burned. Janet sighed as she watched the flames licking happily at her curtains. Genve had escaped to an Abbey where she had given birth to twins. She had kept a diary documenting everything down to her final days. Janet closed her eyes and the lines flashed across her eyes.

fire! everywhere! i could smell the stench of death! The curse! It is upon me! Experiencing a strange pull to an abandoned land! Blood! Fire! Death! My curse! Mc fyre! my death comes!!!!
Those wildly scribbled lines had been the last entries in Genves diary. She left the abbey and disappeared into the night. Days later her charred remains had been found amidst the ruins of the house she and her lover had fled to. There were many speculations as to how she died. The one true factor amongst the tales spun was that she had died by fire, just as Lord Serpeticus had devised she would. Genves diary was given to Mary and Phillip, her twin daughter and son. Phillip built a grand mansion as a shrine to his mother on the very lands upon which she expired. Perhaps he was hoping to make new beginnings at the location of his greatest cause of grievance. Mary had continued to document life in the Mc Fyres household in her mothers diary and thus starting a tradition of sorts for the eldest child to document their life. They had gained a fortune upon their grandparents death and Phillip had wisely invested the amount and reaped great rewards. Life had prospered in the household and both brother and sister had gotten married and had children of their own. Mary, however, decided to keep her mothers surname, McFyre. It was done to honour her mothers memories and thereafter started another tradition of the female McFyre children to retain McFyre as their surname instead of taking their husbands. The curse was pretty much forgotten or rather had become a forbidden subject. It was a fine day when the curse came a-calling. Mary, Phillip and their spouses were chatting amicably when there came a loud explosion from outside. Some kids were having fun with firecrackers when one of them malfunctioned and lit the yard and garage ablaze. By some luck or perhaps misfortune, their children were away at camp when the news of their parents demise reached their tender ears. Firefighters were amazed at how quickly the fire ate its way through the mansion devouring everything in its path. One of the astonished firefighter on the scene commented in amazement: Ive never seen a fire spread through such a huge mansion in such a short amount of time. There was no way to rescue those inside as the building began collapsing trapping the inhabitants. It was as if the fire was being guided on a path of utter destruction! And so the cycle of destruction continued its course throughout the various generations of McFyres. One generation ends in fire while the young ones are never around and thus being spared of their parents faith for the time. They are taken into the care of the Abbey and when they are old enough submits to the compulsion of rebuilding and making life where one generation ended. Just this morning Janet had looked at her reflection in the mirror and had said: Forget thinking about moving, the land calls back to you. The farther you are from it the sicker you get until the pain is so unbearable you start begging for death to come but it cruelly does not. Her reflection had given her the Why-not-end-it-all then look. But how did one just end a curse such as the McFyres? Janet had asked out loud. It was impossible. One McFyre always is never around while his/her family is being killed.

And then it had struck her. Every McFyre that escaped was a child at the time and this generation had no child. Her son and his wife lived with her and they had one son who was eighteen years old and he was currently home. No McFyre was missing. She could end it all for her family and the village.

...until the McFyre line is no more!

That was what Lord Serpeticus had pronounced. The curse would be over when all the McFyres had winked out of existence. But can she do it? Janet pondered it for a long time. Could she take all of their lives? Welcome the curse in for its final round ever? Steal whatever future happiness they may have until they too die? Until the curse take them? Janet opened her eyes to take in her fiery Hell and her lips twisted in wry humour. She had not had the courage to kill them all. Yet it had been her accidentally knocking over her birthday candle that had started this inferno. Janet closed her eyes again, reliving the events following up to this end. They were all gathered around the dining table and were singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY cheerfully. She had beamed in pride at her son and cried in happiness. Just as they had struck the last note of the song, Dante, her grandson, had said smiling: Make a wish and cut the cake grandma. Biggest slice for me right grandma. Oh how she adored Dante. He was as handsome as his father and equally mischievous. Despite the troubles he stirred up sometimes she loved him even more than her son. She had blown him a kiss and winked at him as she reached to cut the cake. Janet squeezed her eyes tighter as she approached the memory of the beginning of the end of her family. As she raised her knife her hands had begun shaking as her eyes fixed themselves upon the candle flames. The sight of the fire reminded her of her dreams and she took a hasty step back and inadvertently knocked the candle off the cake and onto the floor. With wide eyes Janet watched as the candle slowly hit the carpet and Dante moved to stomp it out. Janet knew he would be unsuccessful. Another family may have been able to put the fire out but not the McFyres. No, the curse would not be denied its victims. The flames ate its way through the carpet and leapt up to the curtains and every inflammable material around. In a matter of minutes the entire mansion was wreathed in fire and Janet just stood there and watched it all unfold from her little accident to curse come true. She listened as her son tried to find them a way out and failed. She looked around hearing still the screams of her daughter-in-law as the fire had taken her and then Dante and lastly her son. She was the last one left now. She was the last living McFyre and Lord Serpeticuss curse was coming for her. When the greedy tongues of the flames wrapped her in its cloak she welcomed it with a smile. At least now the curse is over. The McFyres are no more. Mission accomplished, Lord Serpeticus. Those were her last thoughts as she faded away with a sense of peace. With her eyes closed and her memories at an end, the last McFyre expired. Outside the burning mansion, the crowd whispered quietly among themselves while the firefighter tried to stop the blaze. Among the crowds a young teenage girl of around seventeen years old wept bloody tears and clutched tightly at her stomach. She felt ill and hurt and furious. She was furious with the gathering crowd for they were happy to see the end of the McFyre. How cruel could this world get? Her only love had burned to death in there and they were happy. She had not even been given the

opportunity to tell him her news. Dante...her one true love... they were going to get engaged soon but that would never happen now.

Its over at last. Someone said quietly. Yes the last of that cursed family. Another person whispered. Yes and thank God! The McFyre Family is no more. Another voice said next to her. Her mother. It was her mother who had spoken. Her mother who had hated her relationship with Dante and her fathers feelings were the same. As tears poured down her cheek at her lost she felt a new resolve from within. She knew must do. And she must do it soon otherwise her parents would stop her and take away the only piece of her love she have left. With a last look at the fiery end of her love, she left the crowd and set out for Westminster Abbey. They were all wrong. The McFyre Family was not over. No. A piece of that family was growing inside of her. A piece of Dante... A memento to cherish and love. She would protect this child with her life. The child he would never see or had known about.