A Grimm Life

Chapter Six: Grimm Curse

I continued reading on, not much else turned up about Blutbads. I stood up and stretched my body, "Surely the was something you killed it with dad."

I walked back over to the shelf and placed the book back in its place, the familiar creaking of the wooden floorboards echoed beneath my feet. I looked at the floor and noticed that one oft he boards wasn't flat, it was angled upwards. I got down to my knees and pushed on it, it creaked loudly as the pressure forced the neighbouring floor board up. I ran down stairs to the storage cupboard, pulling out a crowbar and ran back to the study, ready to tear the floorboards up.

In the floor was a small compartment where a box was snugly sitting, hiding from anyone who entered the study who knew nothing of its existence. I pulled it out and inside was a letter, from my parents:

To our dear Alexa,

We wanted to spare you this life but if you're reading this, it means that we were unsuccessful. You deserve to know our curse and what kind of world you are apart of. My side of our family isn't quite human, we're called Grimms. We can see creatures called Wesen. Wesen are humanoid creatures with animal genes, they appear human, but when they are threatened they show their true nature. Only Grimms can see them when they don't want to be seen. I never wanted this for you... If you are to understand this, you need to know of our history. For centuries, Grimms had been under the command of the Royal Family, they were what we can call law enforcers for the Wesen world. They protected Wesen and humans from eachother, if Wesen started to attack the human population, Grimms would dispose of them and the same would happen if humans attacked the Wesen. However, Grimms went against the Royal Family, I am still unsure as to why, but since then Grimms have been on the Reaper's hit-list. Reapers are the Royal Family's personal assassins and they seem to run in families, like Grimms do. Grimms these days, how ever many are left, still do their job just with out the Royal Family's permission. I hope to God that you evade the Family and the Reapers that they'll undoubtedly send after you, the books in my study have documented all the Wesen our family have run in to as well as a supply of tools and equipment you will need to continue with our curse if you choose to in the attic. I love you so much Alexa.

Dad

The messy scrawl of my father was followed by my mother's fancy writing:

Dear Alexa,

I'm so sorry that we are unable to watch you grow and have a good life, but I knew I was dreaming. I knew exactly what kind of life I was getting in to when I married your father, but I loved him with all my heart, just like I love you. He wanted to spare this life for any child, but I was too selfish, I wanted to have a family. I'm so sorry that I have put you through this. Your father has told you everything his parents told him and in turn told me when I refused to leave him, I hope with all my heart that you have a long life ahead of you. Please, don't be as selfish as I was. I love you.

Mum

I felt hot tears run down my face as I folded the letter back up and placed it back in it's hiding place, putting the floor boards back. I took in deep breaths, trying to calm myself as images of the little girl's parents flew into my mind. They wanted to protect their little girl like my parents wanted to protect me, and they failed like my parents had, and they are killing themselves for it. I made my to the trap door of the attic, tears drying on my cheeks and my breaths still coming out as gasps. I pulled the door down with the wooden hook shaped stick, a set of stairs slid down with a centimetre of dust on the surface. I walked up into the dark space, I never came up here, dad never let me, and now I know why. I flipped on the ancient switch, waiting for the flickering light to stabilise, and when it did, I thought my mouth caught a dust bunny. There were cases full of weapons, ancient weapons, crossbows, blades of all kinds, batons with spikes. I was so shocked at first, but then I felt comfortable with what I saw. This was my family history. My family curse. It was time for me to step up and take it head on.