The Grey's Curse

Chapter Sixteen - Reconnecting

My research on the monster was temporarily put on hold as what started off as just texting with Grandma, quickly turned into a phone call that was filled with us reminiscing about the past and our favorite memories.

"Wait so Dad and Grandpa really had to go to the hospital after sliding down the stairs on a mattress?" I laughed as Grandma chuckled fondly "Yup, I told them it was a bad idea, but did they listen? No and your dad broke his nose"

We had been talking for a good couple of hours, only stopping because I knew that Mom was going to be home soon "Sorry Grandma but I gotta go, Mom should be home soon, I'll talk to you later" I hung up after she said her goodbye and I put my phone on charge then stretched out on my bed with a happy smile on my face.

'Dad sounds like he was a total goof'

I chuckled; thinking back on Grandma's stories about him 'I just wish that he was home more when he was alive' Dad was almost always gone, he would blame it on work but I had a suspicion that he was lying.

But alas, I had no proof that he was, so I pushed that suspicion away for the time being.

I looked over at my door when I heard it creak open and saw Mom poke her head in.

"Do you feel like going out?" I perked up with my brows raised in surprise "Uh, yeah, sure, where would we be going?" I was shocked that she would even suggest going out together 'She's never done this before' she leaned against the door "We would just be going out to eat, does burgers and fries sound good?" I smiled and nodded; feeling elated at going out together.

I couldn't remember the last time we did if we even did it at all.

"Yeah it sounds great!" I had no time to ponder what could've put her in such a good mood when a ding from my phone rang in the room.

My happy mood was immediately brought down when I felt a stab of guilt hit me when I glanced down at my phone; the thought about how I was directly going against what Mom said about talking to Grandma twisting the guilt knife in my heart.

'I'm sorry Mom but I have to do this'

After I got dressed I left my phone in my room without giving it a second glance and headed straight downstairs and saw Mom waiting by the door.

"You ready?" I smiled at her; trying to hide my guilt "Yup! I'm all ready to go" we chatted the whole ride there 'This is probably the most we've talked to each other without fighting in awhile' when we got to the restaurant it was then that I told her about what I saw on the news of the creep.

She stared at me wide eyed "He's dead? And you're sure it's him?" I nodded; munching on a fry "Yeah, it showed his face and it said he was attacked by a stray dog" she hummed and looked down at her food blankly.

"Good, he had it coming to him, people like him deserve that and worse" I was a little taken aback by her sudden dark tone and missed the small quirk of her lips pulling up into a smirk.

"Yeah, I guess" I didn't notice the strange looks I was getting from her when I grabbed a fry and dipped it into my milkshake "You-You dip your fries in your milkshake?" I looked up at her and nearly laughed when I saw her puzzled and disturbed expression.

"Yeah, I do, why?" I was glad that the dark feeling disappeared when she laughed at me "I've never saw anyone do that" I shrugged "It's good, you should try it" she looked at me with apprehension about trying it but did it nonetheless.

I smirked when I saw her eyes widen in surprised delight "Good right?" My question was answered when she dipped her fry in my milkshake again "Yeah, that's so odd" she laughs, shaking her head.

"It is but it's so good" I joined in on laughing with her 'This is so weird but I'm happy that she wanted to do this, we've never truly bonded until now' we spent the rest of our time there laughing and making fun of how the other ate.

We were on our way home when she surprised me yet again "I was thinking that we could watch a movie when we get home, you in?" I looked over at her with a quirked brow "Yeah, sure, what movie?" She shrugged nonchalantly.

'I feel like she's hiding something'

I've felt like that for awhile, her attitude towards me changed way too fast 'I know I should enjoy the time I have with her while she's like this but it's bugging me' No matter how hard I tried to, I couldn't shake off this feeling that something was bothering her.

"Mom are you okay?" The words left my lips before I could stop or think them through and I watched her as she immediately stiffened up and wouldn't look at me.

"What do you mean sweetie? I'm perfectly fine" I narrowed my eyes at her in suspicion "I just noticed that you're not acting like you...usually do" was the best response that I could give without offending her.

She shrugged and looked at me from the corner of her eye "I was serious when I said that I wanted to try and reconnect with you, it feels like we never got to fully bond" my eyes softened at her words.

"...Oh" I looked back out the window and while I had my head turned away from her, I hadn't noticed the soft glow of yellow flash from her eyes.

We got in two movies but nearly fell asleep midway through the second one before calling it a night with Mom caving first "Alright, I think it's time for bed, good night Maria" I yawned and started to head up the stairs to my room.

"Goodnight, love you" I said mid yawn, when I finally made it to my bed I laid there with a smile but the lingering bad feeling in my gut made it hard to sleep 'I don't know why she suddenly wants to bond, I want to be happy but something just doesn't feel right' thankfully after tossing and turning for half an hour, I finally fell asleep.

However my sleep was interrupted by someone whispering in my ear.

"Maria, wake up please" I heard Mom whisper and I groaned and turned over on my side "Nooo" she sighed and nudged me again "Maria this is important...don't you want to know the real reason why I've been different?"

Now that woke me up.

I sat up and looked at her with crust still in my eyes and no doubt drool on my cheek "So I finally get to know?" I teased which she apparently didn't find all that funny as she looked at me with a frown "Maria there is something that me and your father didn't tell you when you were younger in fear of your mental health" I could feel a pit start forming in my stomach.

"Maria you're being hau-" she abruptly stopped herself, looking frustrated "Mari you're being h-" she sounded like she choked on her words and I looked at her with concern.

"I don't know what you're saying" I reached out a hand to her forehead but she felt normal "Are you okay?" My voice was still rough from being woken up.

She clenched her jaw and cleared her throat "Uh, Yeah, I'm fine, sorry for bothering you, go back to sleep" I was still deeply confused but I was too sleepy to think more of it so I told her goodnight and I loved her and rolled back over in the spot I was in before she woke me up with my back turned to the door.

But in doing that, I didn't see her eyes shine a bright yellow and a smug smirk form as she stood up "Well, goodnight sweetie, I promise I won't bother you again" I let out a hum, already falling back asleep.

Oh how I would come to regret that.