Page 6 of Cursed Shadows 4

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I have never truly understood the value of the bracelet that I drape over my wrist.

Is it that it once belonged to my mother?

A woman I don’t remember, who cared so little about me that she never intentionally left this bracelet for me to keep—it was a mere oversight.

Click,

clock,

click,

clock.

I fasten the clasp, then tug the sleeve of my fitted sweater over the bracelet. Now, it’s hidden, this flimsy silver string of unpolished beads.

I consider leaving it behind.

But I can’t.

I must have it with me for the Sacrament. It must be on my person in the second passage.

It’s the one treasure I can’t bring myself to leave behind.

And I just can’t seem to understand why.

Because Mother didn’t leave it for me. Knife found it tucked behind her mattress some days after she was released from her bargain and ran back to the human world.

Click,

clock,

click,

clock.

Knife gave the bracelet to Father.

Father gave it to me.

It became mine.

So I then wonder, is it because the bracelet is pretty?

I peel back the wrist of the sweater.

Click,

clock,

click,

clock.

I frown at the bracelet.

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