A few days later, Arina told me she was pregnant again. The news, which should have filled me with joy, instead filled me with dread. My heart was heavy with fear, the memory of our past losses haunting me. This time, I couldn't bear the thought of losing another child. The strange occurrences, the coldness between us, and the rising infant mortality in our town all weighed heavily on my mind. I had to do something, anything, to protect our baby.
One night, when the fear became too much to bear, I decided to visit Mrs. Roselia. She was known for her knowledge of old remedies and superstitions, and though I had never fully believed in such things, desperation drove me to her doorstep.
Mrs. Roselia listened patiently as I told her everything—about Arina's pregnancy, the strange happenings in our home, and the constant fear gnawing at me. She sighed, her eyes filled with a knowing sadness. "Dear, I'll give you an amulet for your baby. You put it around her neck as soon as she is born," she said, her voice firm.
I nodded, feeling a small spark of hope. If there was even a chance it could help, I would do it.
But then Mrs. Roselia leaned closer, her expression turning grave. "Dear, if I told you something, would you believe me?"
I hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."
"If I said Arina is a witch, would you believe it?"
Her words struck me like a blow. My mind raced, trying to process what she had just said. "Aunt, Arina isn't a witch. I'm sure because—"
"Because?" she pressed, her gaze unwavering.
"Because I saw that creature outside my house. I don't know what it was, maybe it was or maybe not…"
Mrs. Roselia's eyes narrowed. "That time, where was she?"
"She was sleeping in her room," I replied, the memory of that night flashing through my mind.
"Are you sure?" she asked, her voice low, almost a whisper.
"Aunt, if Arina is a witch, then tell me why she didn't kill me?" I countered, my voice trembling. "I heard witches don't stay with anyone for long. When they get what they need, they kill them."
"And we've been together for seven years. We're going to have a child again," I said, my voice tinged with both hope and fear.
Mrs. Roselia listened quietly, her expression unreadable. After a long pause, she stood up and disappeared into her room. I waited, the silence in her home pressing down on me, filling me with unease. When she returned, she held a worn, ancient-looking book and a small bottle of water. She handed them to me, her gaze intense.
"Take this," she said firmly. "Read this book, and you will learn how to kill a witch."
Her words struck me like a bolt of lightning. "Aunt, how will I—"
"You will," she interrupted, her voice leaving no room for doubt. "Only you can kill a witch."
I narrowed my eyes, trying to make sense of what she was saying. "What are you talking about? How can I—"
"Don't ask me anything, Zoe," she said, cutting me off again. "I can't tell you more than this. Now, please leave my house. Come back tomorrow, and you'll get your amulet."
Her tone was final, leaving no room for further discussion. But as I turned to leave, my mind was racing with questions. Why did she think I could kill a witch? What did she know that she wasn't telling me?
As I walked out of her house, her thoughts lingered, though unspoken, heavy in the air.
'I can't say this to you, Zoe. Because you are already bound to her. She gave you the authority to kill her. Maybe she wants to live with you forever… or maybe she's in love with you,' Mrs. Roselia thought, watching me leave.
I left Mrs. Roselia's house that night, my mind swirling with unanswered questions. The weight of the book she gave me felt heavy in my hand, a burden I wasn't sure I was ready to bear. Once home, I headed straight to the library, a place where I could think and hide away from the prying eyes of the world. I couldn't trust anyone with this secret, not even Arina.
I carefully placed the book on a high shelf, hiding it behind a row of old volumes. As I did, I heard a soft knock at the door. I turned quickly, my heart skipping a beat, and saw Arina standing in the doorway. She smiled at me, but there was something in her eyes—something unsettling.
"Babe, why are you here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Arina didn't answer right away. Instead, she gave me a strange smile, her eyes trailing over me from head to toe as if she were seeing something I couldn't.
"Tonight, I want to sleep alone. Don't come to my room," she said, her tone casual but firm. Without waiting for a response, she turned and went upstairs.
As I watched her leave, I instinctively reached for the necklace around my neck, clutching it tightly. The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fall into place. I understood now why she didn't want to sleep with me, why she kept her distance whenever I wore the necklace. Something dark and twisted was at play, and it was connected to the very woman I loved.
"I promise, one day you will also believe in God, Arina," I whispered to myself. Determined, I locked the door to the library and opened the book Mrs. Roselia had given me. The ancient pages were filled with strange symbols and words that seemed to pulse with an eerie energy. I read late into the night, the secrets of how to kill a witch slowly revealing themselves.
The next morning, I woke early, the book's dark knowledge still lingering in my mind. I dressed quickly, preparing to visit Mrs. Roselia and collect the amulet she had promised. As I stepped into the hallway, I noticed Arina watching me from the corner of her eye. I forced a smile, trying to act normal as I turned to leave.
Arina approached me slowly, her footsteps soft on the wooden floor. She leaned in close, her breath warm against my ear. "Where are you going, honey?" she whispered.
"Office, babe," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Liar," she whispered, her voice low and dangerous.
Before I could react, Arina wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me close. Her touch was gentle, but her eyes were sharp, piercing through me as if she could see right into my soul. "You're going to Mrs. Roselia's, am I right?" she asked, her voice a mix of amusement and menace.
I was taken aback, shocked by her words. "How do you know?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Arina smiled, a wicked glint in her eyes. "Didn't I tell you I know everything about you?" She winked at me and let her fingers trace the necklace around my neck, her touch sending a shiver down my spine.