A couple left a memorable birthday dinner in high spirits.
Chloé and her husband Thomas were walking back from the restaurant where they had marked her birthday. The evening had gone off without a hitchthere were many guests, family members, and work colleagues. Chloé saw most of them for the first time, but Thomas had decided to invite them, so it was necessary.
She never liked to argue with Thomas; she preferred to avoid conflict. It was easier for her to go along with his wishes rather than defend her own opinion.
Chloé, are your keys buried deep in your bag? Could you grab them?
She fumbled with her handbag, feeling for the keys. Suddenly a sharp sting made her jump, and the bag slipped from her hands, hitting the floor.
Why are you shouting?
I pricked myself on something.
With all the junk in that bag, its no surprise!
Chloé didnt answer; she picked up the purse and gently extracted the keys. They entered their flat, and she quickly forgot the incident. Exhausted, her legs ached, and she just wanted a shower before bedtime. The next morning she woke with a throbbing pain in her hand; her finger was red and swollen. She recalled the previous night, grabbed the bag, and examined it closely. At the bottom she found a large, rustcovered needle.
What on earth is that? she muttered, puzzled at how the object ended up there. She tossed the odd find into the trash, fetched the firstaid kit, disinfected the wound, bandaged the reddened finger, and headed to work. By lunchtime she felt feverish.
She called Thomas:
Thomas, I dont know what to do. Yesterday I think I got an infection. I have a fever, a headache, and my muscles ache. I found a big rusted needle in my bag and thats what pricked me!
You should see a doctor; it could be serious.
Dont worry, I cleaned the wound; Ill be fine.
But with each passing hour Chloïe felt worse. She barely finished her workday before hailing a taxi home, unwilling to endure public transport. At home she collapsed onto the couch and fell asleep.
In her dream she saw her grandmother Marie, who had died when Chloïe was a child. Though she didnt know how, she recognized her instantly. Frail and bent, the old womans appearance would have frightened many, but Chloïe sensed her grandmother wanted to help.
Her grandmother led her through a field, pointing out which herbs to gather for an infusion that would cleanse her body. She warned that someone meant her harm and that she must stay alive to defend herself; time was short.
Chloïe awoke sweating, convinced she had slept for hours, though only moments had passed. She heard the front door slamThomas had come home. She slipped off the couch and went to the hallway. When he saw her, he was startled:
Whats wrong with you? Look at yourself in the mirror!
She approached the mirror. The night before she had seen a smiling womans face, but now she hardly recognized herself: dull hair, dark circles, a grayish complexion, a hollow stare.
What is happening?
She remembered the dream and told Thomas, I saw my grandmother. She told me what to do
Chloïe, get dressed, were going to the hospital.
No, I wont go anywhere. Grandmother said doctors cant help me.
A fierce argument erupted. Thomas called her crazy, accused her of hallucinating about her grandmother, and for the first time they fought violently. He insisted on forcing her to the hospital.
If you refuse, Ill drag you by the neck.
Chloïe jerked away, lost her balance, and hit a corner. Enraged, Thomas snatched her bag, slammed the door, and stormed out. She managed only to text her employer, saying she was ill and would stay home for a few days.
Thomas returned late that night, apologizing. All she said was, Take me to the village where my grandmother lived tomorrow.
When she woke, she looked more like a specter than a healthy young woman. Thomas kept pleading, Chloïe, stop this nonsense, lets go to the hospital. I dont want to lose you.
They set off for the village. The only thing Chloïe could recall was the villages name. She hadnt been there since her parents sold her grandmothers house after her death. Throughout the drive she fell asleep, unaware of which field to head for. As they neared the village, she woke and told Thomas, Its over there.
She got out of the car and collapsed onto the grass, exhausted, but knew she was where her grandmother had guided her. She found the herbs from the dream, returned home, and Thomas brewed a decoction following her instructions. She sipped it in small gulps, each swallow bringing a little relief.
She managed to limp to the bathroom; when she stood, she saw her urine was black. Rather than frighten her, it confirmed her grandmothers words: The evil will leave
That night she dreamed of her grandmother again, who smiled and spoke:
A curse was cast on you through that rusted needle. My remedy will restore your strength, but only temporarily. You must locate the one who did this and return the harm. I cant see who it is, but the culprit is connected to your husband. If you hadnt thrown away the needle, I could tell you more. But
She continued, Buy a box of needles, and on the largest one recite this incantation: Night spirits, who have lived, hear me, specters of night, bring forth truth. Surround me! Show me, help me, find my enemy. Then slip the needle into your husbands bag. The person who placed this curse will be pricked, and well know who it is, allowing us to send the evil back to its source.
After saying this, her grandmother vanished like mist.
Chloïe woke still feeling very ill, yet confident she would recover with her grandmothers aid. Thomas decided to stay home to care for her. He was surprised when she announced she needed to go to the store alone.
Chloïe, you can barely stand. Let me come with you.
No, Thomas, make me a soup; I have the appetite of an ogre after this virus.
She followed her grandmothers dream instructions exactly. That evening the enchanted needle was placed in Thomass bag. Before sleeping, he asked, Are you sure you can manage on your own? Maybe I should stay with you a bit longer.
Ill be fine.
Chloïe felt better, but sensed the malevolence still lingered, shifting inside her as it had in him. Still, the remedy shed been taking for three days acted like an antidote, irritating the presence inside her.
She waited anxiously for Thomas to return from work, greeting him at the door with, How was your day?
It went well, why do you ask?
She began doubting the plans effectiveness, when Thomas suddenly added, It may sound crazy, but today Irène from the neighboring department tried to help me by looking for my office keys in my bag while my arms were full of files. She pricked herself on a needle in my bag and stared at me with such rage I thought shed kill me with her eyes.
Whats your connection to Irène?
Chloïe, listen. Youre the only one I love, not Irène or anyone else.
He confirmed Irène had been at the birthday dinner. Chloïe realized how the rusted needle had ended up in her bag. Thomas went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
That night she dreamed of her grandmother again, who showed her how to redirect the harm onto Irène. Her grandmother explained that everything was now clear: Irène, using magic, wanted to push Chloïe aside and take her place beside Thomas. When she couldnt achieve this naturally, she turned to sorcery and would stop at nothing.
Chloïe obeyed her grandmothers instructions to the letter. Soon after, Thomas told her that Irène was on sick leave, gravely ill, and the doctors were at a loss.
Chloïe suggested they visit her grandmothers village cemetery the following weekend, a place she hadnt been since the burial. She bought flowers, put on gloves, and cleared the overgrown grave. She eventually found Maries tomb, saw her grandmothers photo on the stone, and realized it was indeed she who had appeared in her dreams to save her.
She cleaned the grave, placed the flowers in a waterfilled bottle, sat on a bench, and whispered:
Grandmother, Im sorry I didnt come sooner. I thought an annual visit from my parents was enough, but I was wrong. Ill come now, too. If you hadnt been there, I probably wouldnt be alive today.
She suddenly felt a soothing hand on her shoulder, as if her grandmothers spirit were comforting her. She turned, saw only a gentle breeze.
A Couple Joyfully Returns Home After an Unforgettable Birthday Dinner.
