Chapter 35

Kelly barely slept that night, running over in her head what they had to do. They had to kill the witch. That horrified her. She had never wanted to murder anyone before. She didn’t want to murder anyone now.

But – what other choice did she have?

She needed Mark to help, he was the hunter. Restless, it was finally four in the morning when she woke him. “Mark baby, please wake up. I need to talk to you.”

He let out a bear roar, slowly grumbling. “Kelly what’s wrong? Is one of the girls sick?” He whispered to her. Rubbing his eyes frantically.

“We have to kill the witch. I think that’s the only way to stop this. You are already on the happy phase. Next is fear… And then you’ll kill us all.” Kelly swallowed and tried to hold back the tears. “I know that you feel really happy, but this is incredibly dangerous. And I am terrified. So far everything we know about this curse has been coming true. Over and over again. What are we supposed to do?”

“Why do we have to kill her? What if she kills us first?” Said Mark, and there was a subtle layer to his words. Like a tremble in his voice. Like a little hum from the television set twenty was left on too long. “What if she kills us? What if we die? Where will we go?” His voice held a soft hum of terror.

The sixth stage.

“What are we going to do if you get to the next stage?” Whimpered Kelly. “What are we going to do? How can I stop you from killing us? Or can I? Do you know if this stage will wear off, or will you just try to kill us for the rest of your life?”

“I think you can’t stop me.” Said Mark, and he burst into tears. Like a frightened child. His body was trembling from head to toe. Kelly wondered if he would be stuck in inaction. If fear would freeze her husband completely.

Kelly could feel anger at his weakness. A big bright wave of fury. The anger was overwhelming, and she turned and almost strangled him right next to her. How could he be so weak?

This was the man she loved! No, she would never love this pathetic man.

And as he slowly cried himself to sleep next to her she laid with her fists clenched, desperately trying not to unleash her wrath.