**An Unforgettable Celebration: The Restaurant Return**
Emily walked home with her husband, Oliver, after celebrating her birthday at a lovely restaurant in London. The evening had been wonderfulfilled with laughter, family, and colleagues. Though Emily hadnt met many of Olivers guests before, she trusted his judgment.
She wasnt one to question his decisions. Avoiding arguments came more naturally to her than standing her ground.
«Emily, do you have the flat keys handy? Can you grab them?»
She rummaged through her handbag, searching for the keys. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her finger, and she jerked her hand so abruptly that the bag tumbled to the ground.
«Whats wrong?» Oliver asked.
«Something pricked me.»
«With that mess in your bag, Im not surprised.»
Emily didnt argue. She picked up the bag, carefully retrieved the keys, and they stepped inside. By then, shed forgotten the sting. Exhausted, her feet aching, all she wanted was a hot shower and bed.
The next morning, she woke to a throbbing pain in her swollen, reddened finger. Remembering the previous night, she searched her bag thoroughlyand found a large, rusted needle buried at the bottom.
«What on earth?»
She couldnt fathom how it got there. Shaking her head, she tossed it away, then dug out the first-aid kit to clean the wound. Bandaged up, she headed to workbut by midday, fever had taken hold.
She called Oliver.
«I feel awful. Fever, headache, my whole body aches. I found a rusty needle in my bag.»
«You should see a doctor. It could be tetanusor worse.»
«Dont worry. I cleaned it. Ill be fine.»
But hour by hour, she grew weaker. Barely making it through the day, she hailed a cab home and collapsed onto the sofa, sinking into a deep sleep.
In her dream, she saw her grandmother, Margaret, who had passed when Emily was young. Though she barely remembered her face, she *knew* it was herand that shed come to help.
Margaret led her through a meadow, pointing out herbs for a healing tea to purge the darkness creeping through Emilys body. She warned that someone wished her harmbut to face them, Emily had to survive. Time was running out.
Emily woke drenched in cold sweat. Only minutes had passed. Then the door openedOliver. His face paled when he saw her.
«Look at yourself in the mirror.»
Yesterday, a bright, smiling woman had stared back. Now, tangled hair, hollow eyes, and a gaunt face greeted her.
«Whats happening to me?»
The dream rushed back. «I saw Gran. She told me what to do»
«Emily, get dressed. Were going to hospital.»
«No. She said doctors cant help me.»
A fierce argument eruptedtheir first real fight. Oliver even tried dragging her out, gripping her arm.
«If you wont go willingly, Ill make you.»
She wrenched free, stumbled, and hit the corner of a table. Furious, Oliver snatched her bag, slammed the door, and left. Weakly, Emily texted her boss, saying shed need days to recover.
Oliver returned near midnight, apologising, but Emily only whispered,
«Take me to Grans village tomorrow.»
By morning, she looked more ghost than woman. Oliver pleaded,
«Dont be stubborn. I cant lose you.»
Yet they drove to the village. Emily, drowsy, woke as they neared and pointed»There.»
Staggering from the car, she collapsed onto the grass but knew she was in the right place. She gathered the herbs from her dream, and back home, Oliver brewed the tea. With each sip, strength trickled back.
Later, in the bathroom, her urine ran black. Unafraid, she whispered,
«The darkness is leaving»
That night, Margaret returned. The rusted needle had been a curse, she explained. The tea was a temporary fix. Emily had to uncover the culpritand Oliver was involved. If only shed kept the needle
«Buy new needles. Recite this over the largest: *Spirits of night, hear my plea. Ghosts of the dark, reveal the truth. Surround me, guide me, unmask my enemy* Then place it in Olivers bag. Whoever harmed you will prick themselvesand well know.»
With that, Margaret faded like mist.
Though weak, Emily felt hope. Oliver stayed home, fussing over heruntil she insisted on shopping alone.
«Emily, you can barely stand. Let me come.»
«Just make me soup. Im starving.»
That night, she slipped the needle into Olivers bag.
At bedtime, he asked, «Sure youre alright? I can stay.»
«Ill be fine.»
The next evening, she greeted him anxiously.
«How was your day?»
«Fine. Why?»
Just as she doubted her plan, he added,
«Odd thingIrina from accounting tried helping me with my keys today. She pricked herself on a needle in my bag. Looked furious.»
«Whats between you and Irina?»
«Emily, *please*. I love *you*. Irinas just a colleague.»
«Was she at the restaurant?»
«Yes, but»
Then it clicked. *Thats how the needle got in my bag.*
Later, as Emily slept, Margaret returned. Irina had cursed her to steal Oliver. Now, she guided Emily in casting the malice back.
Days later, Oliver mentioned Irina was on sick leavedoctors baffled by her sudden illness.
Emily asked to visit Margarets grave that weekend. Weeds choked the headstone, but the photo matched her dream-saviour. She cleaned the stone, laid flowers, and whispered,
«Sorry I stayed away, Gran. I thought Mums visits were enough. But you saved me. Ill come more often.»
A gentle breeze brushed her shoulderslike an embrace. When she turned, no one was there.
**Lesson:** Darkness may come from unexpected places, but loveand the wisdom of those who came beforecan light the way home.
