North Star Avenue was filled with gothic style mansions, all pointed elegance and brooding windows for creepy faces to leer out of. Most of the houses were occupied by well to do families, some business CEO’s, Dragon’s grandchildren, and local government officials together with their spouses. Everything was neat and quietly expensive with expansive lawns and high crested gates. 

It made Eve’s attire of the day stand out even more than yesterday from the surroundings. At least the t-shirt had been replaced with a less provocative sentiment instead of bikini witch it was just a cutesy image of a hell hound though the motion it was making was a bit less innocent than the art led to imply. Her boots were also somehow more solid and this time they were decorated with tiny bats. Aiden dressed the opposite of Eve’s messy garb but still stood out by looking too starched and stiff in his blazer. Together they almost made a reasonable person in the clothing department. 

They drove up to one of the many little castle homes and pressed a buzzer to allow them inside. 

“It’s like a whole other world out here.” Aiden gaped as he stepped onto the gravel. 

“Money, way more effective than magic in the long run.”  

They shared a brief look together before Eve’s walls of irritation rose again shutting him out. 

“Alright, let’s go see our first client of the day.” 

“Going to give me a clue to what we’re working on.” 

“Firstly, it’s what I’m working on. Just watching remember kid. And after that I think it’s much more fun for you if I leave it a surprise.” 

She paused. 

“Well maybe more fun for me but then you’ll want to keep me happy or I will have you on paperwork duty.” 

“Hey! I thought you had to take me out so how could you force me to do paperwork?” Aiden replied assuredly puffing himself up a little. 

“Pray you never find out. Cos kid I promise I can do that and it is excruciatingly boring.” The look on her face as she turned to him before ringing the bell could only be described as evil. Aiden shrunk a little bit. He hadn’t learnt much on this placement so far other than that the woman in front of him could be terrifying in the same way his primary school teacher had been. 

“Hello Mrs Sutton? My name is Eve Lagarde from the Curse-be-gone agency. You called us yesterday evening?” 

The door stood open with a severe looking woman who Aiden did a double take upon. This was his actual primary school teacher. She was tall with much of the appearance of a crane with her beak like nose and a sense of poise that made Aiden’s back stiffen. 

“Er yes of course.” Aiden’s heart dropped as he realised that she had been crying, the authoritative tone replaced by a nervous worry. He felt a little relieved when she seemed to stiffen up again as she stood to one side ushering them into the neat hallway beyond. 

“Please come inside. You of course know why I need you here Ms Lagarde.” 

“I went over the case file this morning but I find it best to go over things once again so that any details that might have been missed are covered properly.” 

“A sensible precaution.”  Mrs Sutton nodded sharply as they moved through and followed her up the black banistered stairs. She paused outside a door decorated in sparkles. Her hands shook a little as she faced them on the landing. Aiden fidgeted with his collar unsure of what to do, this was even more uncomfortable than being covered in ghost goo the day before. 

“I’m sorry I need to show you but if I go inside I will start crying and then there will be no reasonable answers. I think questions now Ms Lagarde and then I will trust you to look after my daughter.” 

Eve nodded. 

“So Mrs Sutton first may I know your daughter’s name.” 

A brief relief appeared on Mrs Sutton’s face as she stood perched there. 

“Ruby, her name is Ruby and well this is all to do with her.” 

She took a breath and Eve as before waited quietly her full attention on her client. 

“On Sunday evening, everything was fine. She went up to her room after dinner as normal. Teenagers tend not to want to stick around with their parents most of the time… Monday morning we were meant to be going shopping for her new dance outfit. She was so excited but then she didn’t come down for breakfast. When I went in she was fast asleep. I got annoyed after a while tried to wake her up but nothing would do it so I phoned the doctor but he couldn’t find anything wrong either, that was when he suggested we bring in a Curse-breaker.” 

“Thank you for the information Mrs Sutton. As you have not confirmed that this is a curse I think it may be best if you wait here a second while I check. I don’t want you to be charged for work that may not be needed.” 

“That’s okay.” 

“Aiden wait here.” Eve whispered patting him on the shoulder as she entered the room. 

Aiden gave her back a look of despair before turning to his old teacher who watched him carefully. 

“You have a familiar face young man, have I taught you in the past by any chance.” 

“Yes, Mrs Sutton, you were my first teacher. I’m Aiden Price, Miss.” 

“Aiden Price... The boy who used to spend lunch breaks organising witch hunts and raids on the paint cupboard. Finally got a chance to be a curse-breaker, have you?” 

“Erm... Yes Miss.” Aiden quailed under her harsh gaze. It was some relief when Eve popped up to interrupt. 

“I can confirm it is a curse. I’ll bring Aiden with me now if you wish to join us...” 

“No. I’m going to go sit downstairs for a little while.” She motioned for them to continue, leaving them to investigate the room properly.