Emily and her husband James were returning from a bustling restaurant in London where they had celebrated Jamess birthday. The evening had gone smoothly: a crowd of friends, family and colleaguesmany of whom Emily was meeting for the first timebut James had insisted on inviting them, so there must have been a good reason.
Emily rarely questioned Jamess choices; she preferred to avoid arguments. It was easier to go along than to argue a point.
Emily, have you seen the keys? Can you pull them out? James asked.
She fumbled through her handbag, searching for the metal. Suddenly a sharp sting made her drop the bag onto the carpet.
What happened? James asked.
Ive cut myself on something, she replied, wincing.
Its no wonder you can get lost in that bag, James muttered, trying to lighten the mood.
Emily didnt argue. She lifted the bag, gently coaxed the keys out, and they slipped into the flat. The sting faded from her mind as fatigue settled into her limbs; all she wanted was a shower and a bed. By morning her hand throbbed, its finger swollen and red. Remembering the incident, she peeked inside the bag. At the bottom, nestled among lipstick and receipts, lay a large, rustcovered needle.
What on earth? she whispered, baffled at how it had gotten there. She tossed the needle into the bin, fetched a firstaid kit and cleaned the wound. After bandaging, she headed to work, but by noon a fever began to rise.
She called James.
James, Im not sure what to do. I think Ive caught something nasty. I have a fever, a pounding head, my whole body aches. ImagineI found a rusted needle in my bag and I think it pricked me yesterday.
Maybe you should see a doctor. It could be tetanus or an infection, James warned.
Dont overreact. Ive cleaned it; Ill be fine, Emily replied.
Hour by hour her condition worsened. She barely made it through the workday, then hailed a taxi home, knowing the bus would be too exhausting. She collapsed onto the sofa and fell asleep.
In her dream, her late grandmother Agnes appearedshe had died when Emily was a child. Emily didnt know why she recognised her, but the image was unmistakable. Agnes was frail and stooped, yet her presence felt protective.
Come with me through the field, the old woman whispered, pointing out herbs. Make a tea and drink it; it will cleanse your body. There is someone who wishes you harm, and you must confront them while you still can.
Emily awoke drenched in sweat. It felt as if she had slept for hours, yet a glance at the clock showed only minutes had passed. The front door slammed openJames had returned. She slipped off the sofa and padded to the hallway. Seeing her, James stopped breathing for a moment.
Whats happened? Look at yourself in the mirror.
Emily stared at her reflection. Yesterday she had seen a bright, smiling face; now her hair hung in greasy tufts, dark circles shadowed her eyes, her complexion was pallid, and her gaze was empty.
Whats going on? she asked herself.
She recalled the dream and told James, I saw my grandmother; she told me what to do
Emily, get dressed. Were going to the hospital.
I wont go. Grandma said the doctors cant help me.
A fierce argument erupted. James called her frantic, accusing her of being irrational. For the first time they truly fought. James tried to force his way to the hospital, grabbing Emilys arm and pulling her toward the door.
You wont come willingly, so Ill make you, he snarled.
Emily slipped, lost balance and struck her head on a cabinet corner. Enraged, James snatched his bag, slammed the door and stormed out. Emily managed only to email her boss that she was ill and needed a few days off.
James returned late in the night, apologising, but Emilys only request was, Take me to the village where my grandmother lived tomorrow.
The next morning Emily resembled a walking corpse more than a healthy woman. James pleaded, Emily, dont be foolish. Lets get you to a doctor. I dont want to lose you.
Reluctantly they drove to the remote villageEmily could only recall its name. Her parents had sold their family home after her grandmothers death, and she had never set foot there again. She slept through most of the journey, waking only as they neared the village.
This is it, she told James, pointing to a small clearing.
She stepped out of the car, collapsed onto the grass, and knew she was exactly where Agnes had led her in the dream. She gathered the herbs she remembered and they hurried back home. James brewed a decoction exactly as she instructed. Emily sipped it slowly, feeling strength return with each swallow.
She barely made it to the bathroom when she noticed her urine was black. Rather than panic, the sight reminded her of her grandmothers words: Darkness will pass
That night Agnes visited her again, smiling, then speaking.
The rusted needle placed a curse on you. My tea will restore you, but only briefly. You must find who did this and return the harm. I cant see who it was, but it involves your husband. If you hadnt thrown away the needle, I could have told you more.
Do this: buy a pack of needles, and over the largest say, Spirits of the night, hear me! Reveal the truth. Help me find my enemy Slip that needle into your husbands bag. The one who cast the spell will be pricked by it, and we will learn their name.
The vision faded like mist.
Emily still felt ill, but she was confident she would recover with Agness aid. James decided to stay home and care for her. When he offered to go shopping with her, Emily replied, James, youre joking. I can barely stand. Come with me.
Make me some soup, I have a terrible appetite after this sickness, James said.
She followed the instructions from the dream. Later that evening the cursed needle lay in Jamess bag. Before sleep, James asked, Are you sure you can manage on your own? Should I stay with you?
Ill be fine, she said.
Emilys health improved, though a lingering darkness remained. By the third day the brew acted like an antidote, weakening the malevolent force. She waited impatiently for James to return from work. When he arrived, she greeted him at the door.
How was your day? she asked.
It was fine, why do you ask? he replied.
She thought the matter was settled, but James added, Imagine this: today Ivy from the neighbouring department tried to help me, reached for the keys to my office, and stuck herself with a needle. Where did that needle in my bag come from? She looked at me so hostile I thought she might kill me with a glance.
What about Ivy? Emily asked.
Emily, youre the only one who matters to me. I love only you.
Was she at your birthday dinner?
Yes, a good friend, nothing more.
Emily felt the pieces click together; now she understood how the old needle had ended up in her bag. James went to the kitchen where dinner waited. That very night Agnes showed Emily how to return the evil to Ivy. She learned that Ivy wanted to eliminate Emily as a rival for Jamess affection. If the plan had failed, Ivy would have used magic again. The woman would stop at nothing.
Emily did everything as Agnes advised. Soon James reported that Ivy had taken sick leave, claiming she was gravely ill and doctors were helpless.
Emily begged James to drive her back to the village for a weekend, to visit the grave she hadnt tended since her grandmothers funeral. She bought a bouquet, put on gloves, and cleared the overgrown grass covering the headstone. When she finally stood before the stone, a photograph was affixedher grandmother, the very woman who had guided her in the dream. Emily arranged the flowers in a waterfilled jar, sat on the bench and whispered:
Grandmother, Im sorry I didnt come sooner. I thought a yearly visit was enough. I was wrong. Ill be here more often. Without you, I might not be here now.
She felt a gentle pressure on her shoulders, as if Agness hands rested there. She turned, but only a soft breeze moved the leaves.
The experience taught Emily that seeking truth and confronting hidden harms can be painful, yet honesty, courage and the love of those who truly care can cleanse even the deepest wounds. In the end, she learned that facing ones fears and listening to wise counselwhether from a loved one or ones own inner voiceleads to healing and a deeper appreciation of the bonds that keep us strong.
