Malediction

43 - Together

"Danny?" I walked towards him as he sat on the edge of his bed

"It's over" He mumbled slowly

My eyebrows bent in the middle as I carefully neared him, his head low, his hands in front of his body, shakily holding the note, the note his grandfather had written him

"What are you talking about?" I asked, sitting beside him, generous with the space between us

Unexpectedly, Danny held the note towards me, giving it one forceful shake for me to take

It felt wrong, invasive. The note wasn't for my eyes, it didn't feel right to read something so personal that wasn't meant for me.

"Read it Emilia" He firmly instructed again, pushing the paper to my hands

Uncertain, I took the crinkled paper, holding it between my fingers as I looked to his face.
He remained staring down at the floor.

"I can't read this Danny" I told him, shaking my head

Lifting his face, he narrowed his eyes "Trust me, you'll want to read it, you deserve to read it"

Confusion was drawn across my face, I didn't understand. With another urge for me to read on, I gave in.

Danny, my boy.
I know that the way in which I spoke to you was harsh, and for that I apologise. I have made many mistakes in my life, many that I know I cannot take back, or forget. I do not want that for you, for my own children, and the longer I hide here, pretending I cannot do anything or change what has happened or what will happen, the more I have realised. I can. I can change it.
I broke her heart, I broke her humanity. I will make this right, for her, for me, for you.
I lied, there was another way to end it, a way in which I always kept hidden, even from myself. I am the curse, but I am also the cure. I will end this, I will end this curse.

I love you boy, even though I couldn't show it. Now I will.
Be happy, be free.

Grandad.

Instantly, I understood, but at the same time, I couldn't believe it.

"How.." I trailed off

He shook his head "I don't know"

"Do you believe it?" I folded the note back up

He stood and ran his fingers through his hair "He wouldn't have did what he did without knowing it would reverse the curse, despite his mistakes, he isn't that stupid"

"How do we know, how do we find out?"

"There's only one person who would know.." Danny turned to face me "Do you still have her number in your phone?"

I thought about it for a second, pulling my phone from my pocket. I began scrolling through the calls I had made over the last few weeks until an 'unmarked' number caught my gaze. I looked to Danny and nodded "Yes"

"Give it to me" He demanded, taking a step toward me, reactively I pulled back

"No" I shook my head "You.. you're angry, you aren't thinking straight, just.. let me do it"

"I barely knew the man Emilia, I'm fine, give me the number" He fought back, rolling his eyes before taking another grab for the phone I held behind my back

"You barely knew him, but he was still your blood, he was still your grandfather, and he has just committed the ultimate sacrifice in an apparent act to end your family curse, that counts for something, so just.. back up" I forcefully told him, pushing him back from me with my forearm, holding firm gaze with his dark eyes