'I know and I believe the story to be true because I am a direct descendent of Mirela,' was Christopher's reply.
Skyla jumped into the air and let out a shout. Her dinner spilled onto the floor. At that exact moment in the UK, a wealthy old dame dropped her cup of tea shattering the porcelin china to smitherines.
Liz Hayes continued her questions.
'Why now, why choose 1997 to come out with the story? Why choose to come out at all?' questioned Liz Hayes.
'The time has come for the curse to be broken. It will be defeated in the seventh generation. I am the first born male born in the seventh generation. Unfortunately, I do not know how or when that will happen. I also do not know if the curse can be broken. I have a lot of unanswered questions. I am hoping that my book will bring me the answers I have sought all of my life.'
'And if the curse is not defeated?'
'There will be consequences!'
Liz Hayes laughed, 'Do you really expect the people of Sydney to believe such a story?'
'No!' was Christopher's emphatic reply. 'I hope many will simply be entertained and enjoy my story.'
Liz Hayes drew in a deep breath. 'Well Christopher you have certainly got everyone talking about their local history.'
Christopher smiled proudly. He then looked into the camera. Skyla had the feeling a knife had just pierced her heart as she looked into the eyes of Christopher. His eyes seemed to be sending out a message You know the answer. Tell it to me now!
'Mr Marriston it has been a real pleasure. One of the most entertaining interviews I have done to say the least. Thank you for inviting us into your home and best of luck with Mirela's Rose.'
'Thank you.'
Chapter Four
Sydney Cursed?
T
own Hall Station became the focus of mediums, clairvoyants and psychics from all over the world. Mirela's Rose sparked a fascination to this supernatural phenomena never heard of in the city's history. Business was booming for Sydney hotels. The incredible story was made all the more believable by the many women who had come forward and said that they or their grandmothers and even greatgrandmothers had been a victim of this curse.
All platforms at Town Hall became an array of colourful charms and crystals blutacked to chains dangling from anywhere and everywhere. All were hoping to see the white rose appear. They walked up and down all the platforms, stopping, watching and waiting. Day and night the platform brimmed with people carrying charms and lanterns.
No white rose appeared.
Leaving and boarding Town Hall Station became a nightmare for those commuting to and from work. The office of the Lord Mayor of Sydney overflowed with complaints from the entire CBD. Congestion caused people to be late for work. It was now taking up to an hour to get off the train and make an exit. Children were crying and the safety of passengers was becoming a great concern.
One day a French girl was found walking up and down the platform in tears and clearly stressed by the number of people. She was lost, couldn't speak English and couldn't find her boyfriend. A passenger standing close by heard her speak and offered to assist. He spoke French and translated for the official. She and her boyfriend had arranged to meet there over four hours previously. She had left her mobile at the hotel. At that moment a loud voice could be heard coming from up the stairs on platform 1.
'Marie! Marie! Marie!'
All looked up to see a strapping young Frenchman run down the stairs, pushing through the crowd to greet his girlfriend. He stopped in his tracks at the bottom of the stairs and looked past Marie's shoulder. All the mediums present followed his gaze to a bench. The boyfriend walked past Marie and all moved aside as they watched him go to pick something up. The only problem was that there was nothing there to see. As he turned round to his sweetheart his face dramatically changed. All who were there witnessed this phenomena and covered their mouths in astonishment. Two male mediums made a grab for the young man's hand that was supposedly holding the rose but the Frenchman quickly waved his hands up in the air, gave a firm "Adieu" to Marie, ran back up the stairs and was gone. Marie fainted and was taken into the Station Manager's office which luckily had been the one closest to the incident.
The mediums circled the spot where they believed the White Rose had appeared. None of them could see it.
News of this incident caused a global sensation. Christopher's book was an international best seller. Tourists began to arrive in droves to Town Hall Station. Security was increased and people control become a nightmare as train officials and the Minister for Transport met to discuss how to deal with this new problem.
Skyla became intrigued with Christopher Marriston. She kept up-to-date with all the articles published in newspapers, magazines and internet. The story more than fascinated her and she did not understand why. She digested all the articles written and taped all the TV shows he had appeared on and replayed them over and over again. Her family knew the story of her first boyfriend, Ryan, and like her, were also intrigued but not as obesessed as Skyla had become. They noticed how this book and its story continued to consume their mother's interest and attention, much to their frustration.
Chapter Five
Past Re-visited
W
ith the boys at school, Skyla treated herself to a day in the city to see the author Christopher Marriston at Dymocks on George Street. It had been a long time since last she had parked her car in The Rocks. She made her way up to the George Street exit and felt nauseous as she remembered being dumped unceremoniously by her fiancé in front of all at Circular Quay. She avoided looking in that direction and proceeded to make her way to Dymocks.
When Skyla arrived she found a long queue stretched as far as the Strand Arcade entrance. People from all different age groups held their copy of Mirela's Rose as they waited to have their book signed. Skyla put herself in the queue and waited.
'Yum!' thought Skyla, as she stood gazing at the chocolates in the shop window. Haigh's Chocolates had always been a family favourite.
As the line got shorter, more people arrived. Thirty minutes later and finally there she was standing behind just one more person and soon it would be her turn. The gentleman thanked the author and moved aside.
Christopher Marriston looked up and raised his hand to take her book. He was clearly a very handsome man, about the same age as herself, with beautiful olive skin.
'Thank you for buying my book. What's your name?' Christopher asked warmly.
'My name is Skyla, Mr Marriston.'
Christopher took the book and signed it. The moment he looked up to give the book back to Skyla, their eyes met again and Skyla was momentarily transfixed. A spine-tingling sensation thunderbolted her very being, and an overwhelming sense of fear took hold of her. She looked at Christopher as if she had seen a ghost. Christopher became concerned by the change in colour of her face.
'Are you alright, ah, Skyla?' Christopher stood up. He, too, was a tall man, as tall as Jeremy. A couple of staff members come forward to assist. It all happened for just a brief second and she quickly recovered her bearings.
'Yes, I'm fine.' Skyla shooked her head and waved her hand for Christopher to sit back down. 'I'm so sorry, I, I'm okay now, thank you,' replied an awkward Skyla.
'Are you sure you are alright?' Christopher seemed genuinely concerned and this touched Skyla