Arlis sat at her computer. The half eaten everything bagel didn’t seem appealing right now. The coffee next to the bagel had steam rising from a freshly poured cup. She rested her chin on her propped up knee. The files she had to look at could wait till tomorrow. She clicked open the browser and pulled up YouTube. Before she could click a Caseoh video a notification popped on her task bar. Another work email, she pulled it open quickly. She liked to be updated even if she wouldn’t respond. The email subject read: open me if you dare? Arlis hesitated, was this a fishing scam? She clicked the email open, it didn’t contain a link instead it read;
Hello Arlis,
I wanted to reach out and let you know the curse will begin tomorrow. It will be by the blue sky under the light.
Good luck,
Bee
Arlis read the words again and again. They made no sense. Who would send an email about a curse? Why am I being cursed, and by the sky? How do I avoid that? The light, what does that mean, the sun? And who the hell is bee? Arlis closed the email. It has to be spam something to scare me. Arlis closed down her computer. I need a break, youtube would have to wait, it was time for bed. Arlis walked over to the bathroom, she had a small studio apartment. She flipped the light on in the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her skin was light pale, her large eyes a dark almond brown. Her hair was jet black, she had a strong roman nose she hated it but others described it as hooked in a way that accentuated her large bushy black eyebrows and high cheeks. She was a very thin lady with high hip bones and curves she didn’t really like. She looked at herself in the mirror for what felt like an eternity before she brushed her teeth. Arlis turned the light off and let her sweat pants slip onto the floor as she took off her shirt and bra. Why did I even wear a bra today? I worked from home. She put on a larger shirt and hopped in bed. The thought of the weird email made her uncomfortable. Arlis was always uncomfortable. Rest didn’t come easy.
She woke before her alarm. She did every morning. Her routine was built in, her life a plan. She hated change. The same shoes the same bag the same dress shirt and pants. Today a little change flashy red to be bold and avoid blue. She checked the weather, any blue sky? She didn’t think the email was real but a threat is still a threat. The day was overcast and rainy all day. Looks like the threat meant nothing. She walked to work .3 miles she lived close. Arlis grabbed the door hand and stepped into the office building. She stepped into the old elevator and hit the 5th floor button. The doors closed, as they opened her coworker Hal appeard as he held the elevator door for Arlis. “Morning Arlis!” He smiled. “Morning Hal, are you going somewhere?” Hal stepped past her into the elevator. “Yes I’m going to see a possible investor. They seem interested in our services.” Arlis had to smile, “That is great news!” Hal nodded in agreement, “It’s amazing we might finally have a stable income source. They even left a flyer with their information on your desk. I’ll let you know what they say.” The elevator doors closed as Hal talked. Arlis walked towards her office she pulled out her key and unlocked the door. Before she could set down her bag, she picked up the flyer. It had one sentence: By the blue sky. As soon as Arlis read it her office lights turned on illuminating writing on the wall. Arlis’s blood ran cold. On her office walls read, so it begins.
Housed and Fed 