Reverand Marcus Fischer. That's what the jovial ancient announced his name to be when he first arrived at Karough Hall. "I'm wondering if you might be interested in donating to the St. Catherine School for Boys. It's a non-proffit boarding school for the orphans of-"
 "I'm not interested. Please leave."
 With little resistence, Reverand Marcus Fischer left.

 A month later a much thinner, more lined and haggard Reverand Marcus Fischer returned to the castle gates. The noble youth he had seen before passed him by with an axe in his hands. "What are you doing back?"
 "You can see me?"
 "Of course."
 "Then it was you who sent this awful curse upon me!"
 "I don't know what you're talking about, crazy old man."
 "Take it away! Please, I'm begging you. Take it away!"
 "I told you, I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't do anything to you, and I've never cursed anyone."
 "But you can see me!"
 "Yes, brilliant conclusion. You said that before."
 "No one else can-"
 "Just leave me alone, will you? Find someone else to latch onto."
 "No, please let me stay with you! I promise I won't be a bother! Please, I have nowhere else to stay!"
 "Fine, do as you please, but for God's sake, leave me alone!"
 "Yes, sir!" The humbled old man was pushed to one side as the youth tore through the front gate.
 
 'I couldn't stand looking in those hollow old eyes...' The man sighed as he looked at the girl that was following him home now. 'Just as I get rid of one of them, another comes to plague me. Thank you God, go to Hell.'
 "What is it?" asked what the man had mentally named 'the plague' as she glared at him.
 "Oh, so now you care?" he scathed.
 "I would care if you ever showed one ounce of caring yourself! I suppose that would be impossible, though." The heavy silence that had been suspended over them for the past hour returned with a jolt.
 "My name's Annabelle, by the way," and, with that, the silence bolted away once again.
 "That's a hideous name. It suits a pampered feline more than it does an actual person."
 To his utter disbelief, she laughed. "I couldn't agree more. So, what's yours?"
 "I don't name my cats."
 "What's your name, you incorrigible ..."
 "What was that? What am I?"
 "Just, please tell me your name," she said as he watched her close her eyes to fume with privacy, "I would like to know your name."
 "It's Derek."