Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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The old woman said, “The spirit of the stillborn will tell her where you are.”
As she spoke, she plunged her fingers into the clay jar and stirred the blackened soil. Before long, a few shiny, oily insects crawled out from between her fingers. I felt a shiver run down my spine.
Then, she crushed the insects in her hand and sprinkled their remains into a glass of clear water before handing it to me. She commanded, “Drink this.”
I hesitated, but the old woman explained, “Even curses have weaknesses. Drinking this will temporarily suppress the evil spirit inside you.”
I gulped anxiously. Just then, another text from Vanda popped up on my phone: “I’ll be there in 15 minutes!”
Terrified, I quickly downed the water in one gulp. “What about my baby?” I asked, my voice trembling. “How do I bring my baby back?”
The old woman’s expression darkened. “The spirit of the stillborn is under her control, so we can’t bring it back yet. You need to retrieve the controlling insect from her first and bring it to me.”
I froze, confused. “Wait, didn’t you say she and I both consumed the same type of insect? How am I supposed to find the one controlling her?”
The old woman pointed to my back. “The insect you both consumed is part of the ritual, but the real controlling insect has been clinging to her back the entire time.
“You have to remove it from her. Once it’s gone she won’t be able to control the spirit
you, and I can help switch your baby back.”
inside you,
She handed me a small knife and a porcelain vial. “Use these. Be quick–if the insect senses danger, it will burrow into her body, and then it’ll be nearly impossible to extract.”
My palms were sweaty as I took the items. Before I could process it all, my phone buzzed again. “I’m outside,” Vanda’s text read.
I shoved the knife and vial into my bag and bolted for the door. The old woman called after me, “Whatever you do, don’t eat anything she gives you!”
The moment I stepped outside, I saw Vanda standing there. Her face was tight with concern as she grabbed my arm, glancing nervously at the small building behind me.
She asked, “What are you doing here?”
I forced a calm smile. “A friend of mine lives here. I came to pass some money to her.”
I started walking away, but she stopped in her tracks, narrowing her eyes at me. “I didn’t
+25 BONUS
Chapter 3
know you had a friend who lived here. Are you hiding something from me?”
She added, almost too casually, “By the way, have you been feeling any discomfort in your stomach today?”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. It was clear that she was not concerned about me,
but rather probing.
The old woman had warned me that the spirit inside me could reveal some things to her. Even though she knew something, I would have to keep up my act.
I reached for her hand and smiled. “What are you talking about? Didn’t you just do an ultrasound for me a few days ago? The baby is fine.”
As I spoke, my gaze flicked to her back. Through her shirt, I could see a faint, wriggling movement that made my skin crawl. Suppressing my fear, I followed her home.
