The Family Curse

“No!” Avraham jumped at the overwhelming number of voices, sending the chair rolling from him. Grabbing the chair, he yanked it back as he glanced around control. Every station had paused, and everyone stared at him and Eden Cantrell.

He drew in a deep breath. “What– Why?” he failed at finishing either question. No one provided answers either.

Avraham rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Look just sit while I sort this out.” He instructed Eden, stepping away from the station.

“No!” If anything, the objections were louder.

Avraham flung his arms out. “What’s the deal? She’s familiarizing with the systems.”

“Not that system. She’s cursed. It’ll blow!” Avraham hadn’t caught who’d spoken.

“What?” He turned in the speaker’s general direction.

“The whole family’s cursed.” That speaker had been a different direction.

Avraham turned back to Eden. His planned assurances stopped when he faced her. She looked sheepish.

Shrugging, she shook her head. “I’ll work on a different station.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Avraham rolled his eyes. “You’ve got top marks on that system.” Pressing on her shoulders, Avraham shoved Eden into the chair.

Afterward, Avraham would never say the order of events. However, protests exploded. The system imploded. Electricity jolted him. Last, though, was Eden shrinking into her seat, hands over her head.

Avraham still attempted to collect himself when the commander strode in. The man glanced around the room spotted Eden and the station and frowned. “Who let a Cantrell sit there? Her whole family’s cursed!”