Malediction

34 - Secrets & Lies

"It'll take time" Danny defended "Once we figure this out and the prospect of you killing me isn't there anymore anyways"

I opened my eyes to face him "You do realise that even if this doesn't work out, I'm not going to do that to you"

His fingers readjusted over the steering wheel "Even if I asked you to do it for me, for my family?"

"Danny, do you realise what you're asking of me?" My mouth gapped "It's murder"

"It's orchestrated murder, no one would know except my family"

"It's not going to happen, no matter what, I'd rather die in some horrific accident than do that" I scoffed, looking out the window, frustrated at our opposite ideas

"Don't say that" Danny lowly sighed as we pulled up against my driveway

"If this isn't resolved, that's what's going to happen, if I refuse to hurt you, which I do, that's ultimately what's going to happen" I shrugged, knowing it would mean I would die at the hands of our attraction

He shook his head as he placed the car in park "You die and the curse lives on, for nothing, you die for nothing, if I die, it's over, I die for a reason, it's the right choice to make"

"You can't impose that choice on me" I snapped back "And it isn't just because I've grown feelings for you, it's because I couldn't ever take another persons life from them Danny"

He was tapping his fingernails against the steering wheel, his eyes ahead out the windshield "Then we best hope we can find another way, otherwise we're going to have to flip a coin"

I couldn't help but let out a suppressed laugh, the idea completely ridiculous, yet at this point, our seemingly only decision breaker.

"I'll see you tomorrow" I sighed, handing his jacket back as I opened the truck door

"Take it with you, it's cold out there, give it back later" He offered as the chilly air from outside rushed back at my skin

"Thanks" I quickly abided, pulling my arms through the fabric, zipping it at the front

"See you tomorrow" He repeated as I began to walk up my driveway, shooting him a quick wave.

Like it had earlier, the house remained dark and quiet from the outside, until I entered through my front door.
I could hear Luke and Mum laughing when I began to make my way up the hall.

"Is that you Em?" Mum called, my attempt at a subtle entry failing

"Yes it is" I cringed as I poked my head into her room, a lamp lit, her and my brother sitting under the covers together as the television lightly played a black and white movie

"Nice jacket" Luke teased

"Come, sit" Mum offered, patting the spare space beside her

"I'm actually really tired, I'm just going to go to bed" I tried to escape

"Emilia" She called "Please, come sit"

I paused in the hallway, my head held back, deciding which door to take

"You aren't in trouble Em" She called again with a sigh

I grumbled quietly and turned back around, entering her room where I sat on the bed beside her

"I heard about the dance" She began as she placed her hand on my knee, the movement similar to what Danny had not too long ago done, only the feeling entirely different

I shot Luke an obvious glare "Can you keep your mouth shut about anything?"

"It wasn't even me!" He defended as Mum held her hands up in between us