Louis's dreams were filled with smoke and fire as he watched everything around him explode, a brilliant bonfire devouring the city. Next to him, a long line of graves spanned as far as he could see. He watched as a figure in the distance threw topsoil back into the earth. A closer inspection revealed that Louis had been watching himself fill the graves with a spade dull from use. As Louis went to himself, a figure materializes from the smoke and stood calmly before him. The man had a sinister expression; a sly grin cracked across his face as he spread his arms out, basking in the chaos around him.

"[b]Look around, Louis. This is the path you are on. The end of the world. Just you, all alone, digging a grave for every person murdered by your curse. Unless you let me help you.[/b]" The apparition dissipated, then reformed closer to Louis. "[b]I can teach you to use this curse and transform it into a tremendous gift, even a blessing.[/b]"

Louis backed away. The being's cold voice a dark contrast to the fire around them. "Who... what are you?" The man reached out and grabbed him, his hand hot and burning. He pulled in close; his breath smelled of sulfur.

"[b]You have given me a name. I am Curse. I am the source of your bad luck. I want to be your blessing, your gift, your [i]power.[/i] Now, Louis, [i]wake up![/i][/b]"

Louis sprang up. Issac's place. He was still sitting in the recliner. A cold sweat clung to his skin. [i]I'm never drinking again.[/i]