Malediction

36 - Victoria Ann

"Is it feeling any better?" Danny asked as we sat on the couch, cautiously separated

I shrugged "A little. How come you didn't answer your phone?"

My mind returned to the entire purpose I had embarked on my adventure

"It's in my room on charge"

"On silent too I suppose?" I scoffed "I tried to call"

"You did? What for?" He sat on the edge of the couch, his hands clasped together, his head low, but his ears tilted towards me

"I spoke to Skyler today, she told me some interesting stuff, stuff that might help us" I began "It's Mathew"

"Mathew?" He repeated, quickly glancing at me 

"Mathew and Evalia, they've teamed up, and I don't know if it's because he's after easy revenge on us, or if it's because she's got him under some kind of ventriloquist spell" I rushed out

His focus was now on me entirely when the front door sounded and in walked Selena and her brother

"Emilia, you're early" Blake noticed me first, his tone friendly "What happened, are you okay?" His eyes instantly took sight of the ice pack in hand

"It was a fall" Danny answered for me "Can you take a look Mum?"

Selena dumped her groceries down on the kitchen counter, barely acknowledging me

"It's the same hand of the hairline fracture" Danny stood, his eyes on his mother

"Sure" Her fake smile appeared once she and Danny had made a split seconds intense eye contact

Selena cautiously approached where I sat motionless, sitting down beside me.
She looked different today, especially up close. She was dressed in blue jeans and a button up salmon collar blouse. Her hair was brushed and neatly pushed back into a high ponytail - it was very formal in comparison to our initial meeting, even her face improved by faint makeup, a good nights sleep and a light natural shade of lipstick.

I wanted to compliment her, but thought better of the idea. I didn't want her to assume I was sucking up, nor insulting the way she had looked the night before, so I remained quiet. Slowly and carefully, she removed the ice pack and lifted my hand. Her grip was light and warm, her delicate fingers tan and smooth.

She gave a small sigh as she merely looked my wrist over, which told me already it wasn't a good sign. The swelling had been subdued by the ice treatment, but it had yet to improve since the initial fall.

"It appears you've fractured the scaphoid bone in your wrist" She began her analysis, turning my hand palm up, pushing down on the skin below my thumb lightly.
The mere touch of her fingertips pressing down shot an immense amount of pain through my hand and arm. I shuddered and reacted by jerking back, quickly apologising as she continued her exam.

"You'll need to have an X-ray, determine the severity, you could need a cast" She mumbled, moving my thumb manually while I grit my teeth and refused myself not to scream out in pain

X-rays and a cast, both prospects made the situation more complicated than need be. I shook my head "Are there any alternatives to either of those?"

She placed my hand back down on my lap, returning the ice pack to the space below my thumb "The X-ray will need to be done, and the cast will depend on the results"

"How long can it be left untreated?" I tried again, avoiding the hospital visit like the plague

"Emilia, you can't leave it" Danny shook his head, standing with his arms crossed not too far from us "It'll get worse"