Transcript of this chapter:

rebecca: Well, hello Barlow.
rebecca: I really must say... uh, you are already starting to look better.
barlow: You can stop keeping the truth from me. I already know about the curse.
rebecca: Barlow, we can explain...
barlow: Oh no you can't! This is about me! This is MY curse. You should've told me sooner.
rebecca: I was waiting for a good time to tell you, and I really was going to tell you. We only found out about it just a little while ago.
rebecca: I know you're angry about the whole situation, and you have a right to be. I'll help you any way I can. You must have questions.
barlow: I'm NOT dying, I tell you! I'm not!
rebecca: Who told you that you were?
barlow: You don't have to keep things from me, I overheard everything! But I'm NOT going to die! I'm going to solve this thing on my own!
rebecca: Okay, Barlow, but you know you can ask for help if you need any. You must have some questions.
barlow: Tell that demon girl to mind her own business!
rebecca: What are you talking about?
barlow: I know all about the curse, and how deadly it is, and how you've all decided to help me.
rebecca: Barlow, I really wanted to be the one to break the news to you...
barlow: Well it's too late now. But never mind that... I need to solve it on my own. I don't want any help at all... especially for Crystal!
rebecca: But Barlow, we're just worried about the situation, and...
barlow: It doesn't matter! This is my problem to take care of.
rebecca: Of course, Barlow. Just ask me if you need anything. You must have questions.
barlow: Where are the books that described the curse?
rebecca: The books?
barlow: Yeah. Alex found out about the curse from a book. I want to see it. Where is it?
rebecca: Oh, I'm not sure where Alex left it. Hold on a second...
rebecca: Alex! Alex, come out here a minute.
rebecca: He's been busy looking for more references to the curse.
rebecca: Alex, where's that book that talked about the curse? Barlow wants to read it.
alex: I think the Sheriff took it with him. He was going to check it against some of the old sheriff logs in his office.
barlow: I need to see it, Alex. I need all the info I can get.
alex: Well, I can help you. Just about everything about the curse, where it came from and all that, is in my head. Go ahead and ask.
barlow: Is everything in place if I don't survive this?
rebecca: Regarding the succession of the demon-hunter position? Yes, that's all in order. But I certainly hope things don't turn out that way.
barlow: As do I, but we have to be ready for anything. I suppose Alex will be disappointed when he learns that the title goes to someone else.
rebecca: I bet you're right, but there is a order for succession, and he knows that.
barlow: Where are the remains of the statue?
rebecca: The remains? When you dropped it, it completely turned to dust.
barlow: Right. I'd like to examine that dust.
rebecca: I'd love to give it to you, but I swept it out of here already. I didn't sense any remnants of the curse, so I thought it wouldn't be needed.
barlow: Rebecca, that was the only physical clue we had!
rebecca: Sorry.
barlow: Why would someone want me to have this curse?
rebecca: I don't understand. You accidentally dropped the statue. It's nobody's fault.
barlow: I don't know. I get the feeling that someone is behind all of this. I don't have any proof... it's just a feeling.
barlow: Do you think this curse was intended for me?
alex: I don't understand. Everyone in town is very worried about you.
barlow: Well, just suppose that Crystal broke the statue instead of me.
alex: Well, then it wouldn't really be such a problem.
rebecca: Alex! You're under a court order to be civil towards her.
alex: I haven't done anything! You can make me treat her politely, but you can NEVER change how I think! I know that in the end, I will be vindicated.
alex: But if you're suggesting that I planted the chickaree where she could find and break it and get cursed, I didn't. The justice system trumps any intentions of my own.
barlow: Give me some facts and figures about the curse.
alex: That I can do. The problem started with the invasion of the accursed purple chickarees. The statue you broke was used to soak up the curse, but as we've learned, it's just as dangerous and the creatures were.
alex: The invasions started in 1921, and several waves were reported through 1926. There haven't been any sightings since, although it's rumored that the chickarees might still live on in the Smoggy Woods.
alex: All told, there were 67 deaths as a result of the curse. The peak of the curse was in late 1923, when there were 48 fatalities.
alex: There is no record of a cure.
barlow: What options do I have?
alex: We don't have a lot of time. The Sheriff and I are looking through all of the local archives for any mention of the curse.
alex: If something doesn't turn up soon... well, I don't know what we can do.