The Grey's Curse

Chapter Thirty Three - Betrayal

I felt a headache start to form when I tried to remember her 'I know she was there when Dad was around, so why can't I remember her?' Trying to remember her felt like trying to remember a dream.

You know of it but you can't grasp the whole thing fully.

'Come on Mars, just think about Dad' I groaned in frustration when that didn't work and I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to remember my ninth birthday.

'There's no way I could forget THAT birthday even if I tried'

*Younger Maria's POV*

I looked back over my shoulder at Evie "Come on Evie, let's go!" I shouted as I ran home; trying to avoid the mud puddles that formed from the morning rain with Evie following closely behind me "I hope Dad gets home in time for blowing out the candles!" While Evie and I were playing tag we had unknowingly went further away from the house then what we were allowed to.

'Hopefully Mom didn't notice' I gulped at the thought 'Maybe she won't be so mad since it's my birthday?' I didn't have long to think much about it thankfully as our home came into view.

I felt relieved when I didn't see Mom on the porch 'Hopefully she hasn't noticed' Evie and I ran up the steps of the porch and darted inside and headed straight to the kitchen "Mom, we're here!" I called out as I plopped myself down on a kitchen chair.

I was filled to the brim with excitement, especially since Dad said he would be back home earlier then usual just for my birthday.

"Are you excited Evie? I can't wait to blow out the candles and open presents!" She smiled and nodded calmly. I looked behind me when I heard a door open and saw Mom came walking in the kitchen looking irritated with a hand on her hip and huffing in frustration.

"I swear that man drives me crazy on purpose" she mumbled angrily to herself and went to sit down next to me where Evie was and almost sat on her "Wait Mom! Evie's sitting there" she stopped just in time to avoid squishing Evie who tensed up but didn't make a move to save herself.

'That was a close one'

Mom rolled her eyes and gritted her teeth and sat opposite of me with her face buried in her hands and I looked over at Evie with confusion 'Why is she so upset?' I swung my feet back and forth in boredom.

'Daddy should've been back by now and I wonder what he did to make Mom so mad?' Bored, I sneaked glances at Evie who was quietly staring forward intently with her hands clasped together on the table.

Why is everyone so tense?

Mom was leaning back in her seat with her head thrown back; facing the ceiling with anger still etched on her face that was also accompanied by worry. I flinched when the phone rang loudly in the too quiet room and Mom immediately stood up and answered the phone.

"Hello? Yes this is she" she leaned on the countertop while me and Evie were in a staring contest "Wait, Wait, what? What are you talking about?" Her tone distracted me from the staring contest to look over at her, she looked both confused, worried and...scared.

I tensed up when all of the sudden she gasped loudly and stood frozen in shock. Evie slowly turned to look at her blankly while I looked at Mom with worry "Who is it? Is everything okay?" my question went ignored which made me even more concerned.

I had a sick feeling in my stomach from all the stress and tension in the room.

Soon Mom left the room quickly leaving me in my confused and worried state 'Why did she have to leave?' The knots in my stomach grew worse and it was borderline painful, Evie seemed to notice the unease in my expression and looked at me with concern.