Shadows

10

"It's over?" Joanne said, quite shocked. That was it? That was enough?

Harold who was putting his stuff back into his small bag in the living room nodded. He looked up to face Joanne, "For now.. yes, that's enough" he nodded.

"I've cleansed the house with prayers and also have casted prayers for protection at every nook and corner." He added.

He reached for his bag and took out a yarn of thread. He held Joanne's hand and placed the yarn of thread on her palm and covered it with his own hand. Joanne looked at him confused.

"Recently I visited a holy place and met a saint there and he gave me this to protect my house, I never used it but I believe it will guard your house and protect you all from all evil powers" he said with a warm smile.

"Tie it across all the doors and windows of your house. I repeat all the doors and windows" Harold added with his brows raised, emphasizing on the last line.

"Okay" Joanne nodded. Harold gave her a smile and zipped his bag and picked it up, "I'll be leaving for now" Harold said with a smile.

Joanne looked at him a little worried. As if sensing what was on Joanne's mind Harold stopped. "Darcy will be fine Joanne" Harold said holding her gaze. He gave her a smile, "Call me if you need anything"

Joanne nodded and managed to give him a smile.

They both walked towards the door, the yarn of thread still clutched in Joanne's hand.

"Oh! And Joanne!" Harold abruptly turned around, "It completely slipped out of my mind" he shook his head then fixed his gaze on Joanne. His face suddenly looked tensed and serious.

"Listen to me carefully" the seriousness in his voice, doubled, "At night if you notice anything strange be brave, don't be scared... face it, trust me it can't harm you.." He trailed off.

Joanne looked at him, a flicker of fear and tension crossed her face. She swallowed hard holding herself well and nodded. The tension on Harold's face seemed to melt away and his lips curved into a small assuring smile, he placed his hand on Joanne's shoulder, "I'll get going"

Joanne returned a smile and watched Harold as he made his way down the driveway towards his car parked at the roadside.

It was not over. Joanne stood at the doorway and watched Harold's car disappear from her sight. She was not able to relax. The fear still churned inside her making her feel sick.

She closed the door and turned around, the living room looked somewhat empty, she missed how Darcy used to sit on the sofa and draw. Her giggles used to fill the room with colour but now it was all in the past. She could only expect that the water worked.

Joanne remembered Darcy's face when hesitantly she gulped down the water, Joanne couldn't pick any change in her. At least she was hoping for Darcy to react differently, but she didn't. Joanne was worried. What if it didn't worked? What if Darcy doesn't recovers?

A lot of questions swarmed in her mind making her mind full of chaos. She wanted to shut it out, she just wanted to get this over with because there were no answer to her questions. But there was no escape, now all see could do was wait.

Joanne sighed exasperatedly sitting down on the sofa. She looked down at the yarn of thread in her hand. She remembered Harold's words. She immediately got up from the sofa as if her energy was back a hurried towards the main door.

She stood in front of the main door and looked above the door. She had to tie it across the opening of the doors and windows. A glimmer of hope shined in her eye. She hurriedly went back inside and brought a stool. She placed the stool near the door and stepped onto it so that she could reach the height of the door and then tied the thread horizontally across the door.

***

After tying the thread at all the possible doors of the house Joanne headed to their bedroom, the room Darcy spent most of her time now a days. Joanne found herself being a little hesitant to open the door. She didn't knew what Darcy was doing and there was a strange fear that had started to build up within her.

Her heart was pounding loud against her chest. Whatever it was but she was not ready to see Darcy sitting silently in the dark as she did almost all the time. She didn't wanted the hope inside her to weaken. But it was necessary to tie the thread, she remembered Harold's words.

...I repeat all the doors and windows.

Joanne shook her head took a deep breath and pushed the door open and she was shocked.

The room was bright. The curtains were still pulled, and the windows were open letting the bright sunlight enter in the room making it look as lively than ever. She looked around the room and her eyes rested on Darcy, sleeping soundly on the bed. The tension from Joanne's shoulder seemed to be washed away by a strange wave of relief.

The room suddenly felt a little familiar and brought back happy memories to her as she walked across the room towards the window by the study table. A small genuine smile found it's way to Joanne's lips. The air in the room felt light, somewhat less suffocating.

She stepped on the chair and tied the thread at one end and then the other and repeated it for the rest two sets of window on either sides.

Having all done she walked towards Darcy. Her eyes shut down in a peaceful sleep. Joanne stared at her for a while. It had been a while since she had seen her child sleep so comfortably. She squinted looking at Darcy. There was something different about her. Her cheeks looked pale no more, they had a slight pinkish shade now.

And just like a peaceful realization it came to her all at once.

It worked, Darcy was healing but what about the night?

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Hey!! I hope everyone is doing fine!
Here's an update.
One more chapter is left but it will take a little time.
I have my finals from 3rd of July so the next update will be after 15.
I hope you guys won't mind.
Love you all!!💕
And thank you so much for continuing to read this.
See ya all soon!