The Curse Chapter 11 pg 218

Azreen s feet felt heavy as she hiked up the short path that led to her house. The bomoh s words were reeling in her mind. She could hardly believe most of what he had told her and yet, there seemed to be a glimmer of truth in everything he had related. She braced herself, pulling her sleeves close to her chest. Madhuri is not your sister! Madhuri. The one who was loved and cherished. Why can t you be more like your sister? Had Azreen not heard that said a thousand times? Madhuri s mother. Azreen frowned in remembrance. Her first night back from London, did she not see someone who resembled Madhuri lurking around the house? There was a rustling of leaves nearby. In the shadows behind the shrubs, something moved. Azreen halted. Who s there? There was no reply; yet still, the rustling continued. The bomoh s words rushed back to her. The woman s dangerous. You should watch out for her. Without another thought, Azreen s steps picked up speed. She reached her house, panting heavily. She turned back. No one was following her. She scrambled up the steps and latched the door on her way in. Her heart beating unsteadily, she lifted the curtains and peered out through the window. The hot afternoon sun beat down on the empty area in front of the house. Azreen stayed there for two whole minutes watching. Then as she was about to leave, a shadow grew from behind the wooden fence. The indistinct shape of a woman appeared from behind the trees. Azreen watched in disbelief as the woman moved slowly out from the shade. Her long hair flowed behind her as she drifted towards the house. Her pale face glanced up and Azreen drew back slightly. The woman was looking straight at her.