Introduction: Makia Praxis is the most focused, practical artist in Chicago. And she hates herself for it. She longs to have the imagination her friends鈥攁nd rivals鈥攈ave鈥?nstead, she's only good at painting fields and rivers. Her solo show opening is tonight. So much rides on selling work this time; it鈥檚 her last chance with Gallery Apraxia. If it鈥檚 a bust, she鈥檚 just another bad waitress with a dead dream. Then the inexplicable happens; the opening is a raging success. The only problem is, it鈥檚 because there are some mysterious elements to Makia鈥檚 paintings and only she knows she didn鈥檛 create them. At first it seems like an odd miracle鈥?ut when buyers bring the paintings home, they find it might be more of a curse, and they鈥檙e sure Makia鈥檚 to blame.******Written for the Royal Road Community Magazine [January 2024 Edition] Contest Prompt: Immortality is a myth. This is an initial rough draft posted to meet the contest deadline. Reader insights welcomed! This story is currently on haitus, but with plans to return!Content Warning Notes: Some sporadic profanity. Sensitive themes include untimely deaths, suicide and childhood trauma/abuse.Cover artwork: digital drawing by Kat Isacson (hand drawn, not AI)...