Family curse

Cairo was about to turn twenty in a few months, and he was very worried. His parents also feared for him, but they could do nothing. His father knew the horrors that were about to begin when he turned twenty. His mother always cried on the subject, but no one could do anything to change the fate of the boy. Or at least he did not know what to do.

It all began several decades earlier when his great-grandfather, Cairo Mor, began dating a young gypsy girl newly arrived from another city. Her name was Salome. Cairo had been enchanted by the beautiful black eyes that the girl had. He had broken up with Julinha, a girl he'd grown up with and, as a child, said he would marry her one day. Salome had also been charmed by Cairo, and soon afterward she had fallen in love with him. Her desire then was to marry him. After a few months of dating, Cairo and Salome were engaged. She was very sure her future would be with the boy.

However, the memory of Julinha was very present in the memory of Cairo who saw the girl constantly in the city. She had a natural sweetness that enchanted him. It was something deeply rooted in their life since they grew up together. Cairo had grown up nurturing the image of himself married to Julinha. This image was rooted in his subconscious, there was no escape. Salome was something of a passion, and Julinha represented a man's dream of marrying a polite family girl to form a home with children. Cairo's friends felt this root of connection with Julinha, so they encouraged him to stay with her. A week before her marriage to Salome, Cairo told her that he could not marry her like another girl. That's how it all started. Salome did not digest the rejection. There was a strong storm of strong winds. Salome went home crying and told her mother everything. They were both very angry. In a moment of immense fury, she and her mother, who knew how to do powerful gypsy spells, cast a spell of vengeance: "When you turn twenty, you will have a face so horrible that all of you will run. Terrifying in size, your company no one will bear. The rejection you are making me, you will feel of all. And this truth shall be to you and to your firstborn and to the firstborn of your descendants! "

Sometime later, Cairo married Julinha. He was eighteen when that happened. A year later they had a son they called Cairo Junior. When Cairo Mor was twenty, his face changed completely as Salome had prophesied. No one could stand to be near him. It was not a simple ugliness. There was something else in that face that made people uncomfortable just looking. He literally wanted to reject the person with that face. His son cried in despair as he looked down at her ugly face. Cairo searched every corner, even the furthest, but he could not find a way to reverse the witch's spell. It was then that he decided to wear a black veil so as not to frighten people. That was not enough to secure her marriage, and Julinha left him a few months later. He had never had another companion.

Cairo Junior is not married. He was sixteen when she impregnated a prostitute. He took the son, calling him the Second Cairo. He was always going to visit his son. He brought gifts and helped with the boy's expenses. But when he turned twenty and his face changed, even wearing a black veil to cover his face, Cairo Junior was forbidden to see his son. This did not last long because he no longer wanted that life and needed his money to raise the child. It was then that she opened the doors of her house so that the man would return to visit his son.

Cairo Second, knowing that the same thing would happen to him, decided to marry as soon as possible to take advantage of the short time he would have of happiness with his wife. The first girl who liked him was elected to be his wife. He was only fifteen when he went to his suitor's house to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. As the family was very poor, of peasants, and Cairo had a good reputation in the city, the girl's father consented, and they married a month later. But Cairo was not happy with the idea of being so ugly. He researched in various sources of knowledge a means to get rid of that damn inheritance. A year went by and no success in his research. His wife gave birth to a beautiful baby that Cairo named the Cairo Third.

At the age of twenty, he, Second Cairo, began to wear the veil even before anyone saw him, including his wife or child. He already knows the trauma that could generate the ghastly image of his face and decided to avoid it. His wife did not abandon him and even had two more children.

Cairo Third was a good student at school. He excelled in various disciplines and the teachers all liked him. For a long time he did not believe (or did not want to believe) much in the curse that reigned in his family.

Time passed and his turn was near: he was nineteen and a half and his hour was coming. His father, seeing that the boy did not pay much attention to what would happen to him, called him in the room to talk privately.

--- Son, --- said the father, --- I need you to listen carefully. The moment of your face change is approaching.

--- Dad, I do not want to hear this. I do not even know if I believe this story.

--- Then look at the story. --- Second Cairo had never let his son see his face. It was at that moment that he lifted the veil. Third Cairo let out a cry of dread as she looked at her father's face. --- Now you see what a simple story told can do with a person?

That's when the ticket to him fell. He panicked. He had another opinion about the curse, and he did not want to have the same face as his father.

--- And how can we reverse this? --- He asked anxiously.

--- I could not figure it out yet. But I've heard of a person who knows. Only it's not easy...

--- I'll go to that person, tell me who it is! --- Third Cairo asked in despair.

--- The Gypsy Jandiara! --- Answered the father.

Minute of silence, Jandiara lived with her family in a tent at the edge of the creek a few miles from the city. She was seldom seen. There were rumors that she and her family were cannibals. This explained why many who had gone to their services had never returned, and also because they never made purchases in the markets of the city. What did they eat? Jandiara was much in demand, despite the fear that people had to go to her camp; her oracle gifts and her knowledge of magic were very great. Those who could get back from there recommended their jobs that always worked very well.

--- But, father! Those people eat people! Is it better an ugly, living face or a pretty, dead face?

--- She's the only one who knows how to break the spell. You just have to figure out how to get out of there after she gives you the answer. Think! You are smart.

--- I do not know…

--- Of course not, son! I did not expect you to know that so readily. I just wanted to tell you something. After all, getting out of there is not so absurd. You must have a way. When you have any idea, tell me.

Third Cairo thought for a moment and replied:

--- Yes, it should not be impossible. I'll think it over.

After a few days of thinking and talking to people who knew the habits of the Gypsies, Third Cairo discovered nothing but useless information. He needed an asset, but he did not. He decided to go to a witch in the city. It was just a lady who would bless the people and the babies to take the break and drive away some. The people of the town called her a witch, a sorceress, and so on.

--- Is there anyone here?! --- He shouted from the gate.

--- Who is it? --- Yelled the old woman from inside.

--- Cairo Third. I need to talk to you.

She opened the door wide-eyed. She looked him over from head to toe and then said,

--- You may come in. Do you need blessing?

--- No! --- Cairo replied, entering the room. It was a simple and very spacious house. He went straight to the point: --- I'm going to visit the Gypsy Jandiara and I need a way to defend myself if she wants to eat me.

--- My gosh! Those people are cannibals and cruel!

--- I know. That is why I came here to ask your help.

She put hands on his head and turned to the right; walked two steps then put his hand on his chin thinking. A minute later, she went to the shelf where there were several glasses of stored things and opened one of them. From inside, she pulled out an irregular black ball. It was the size of a marble. She took Cairo's hand and lifted it; then she put the ball on it and said:

--- That's not much, but it's what I have to offer you. When you're in trouble, throw it on the ground and run away!

Cairo looked at the ball and did not understand.

--- But what is this? By the way, what's the use?

--- In the hour of danger, throw it on the ground and run away. --- Insisted the woman. --- You'll understand right away.

Cairo thanked her and left.

The next day, he began to mark the gypsy camp. He wanted to know what time they would leave, what time they would return, if they would receive visitors, if the visitors would all come out alive. He noticed that once a day her husband and son went out to hunt or find food. Sometimes they came back with partridges or ducks; other times they came back with fruit. But the important thing for him was to know that at that time of day the gypsy was alone with her daughter.

Until the day came when he decided to go and consult Mrs. Jandiara. It was in the morning around ten o'clock. He watched from a distance and approached soon after her husband and son went out to hunt. There was a small fire burning on the outside of the tent. There was no one outside. Cairo stood three meters from the tent and shouted:

--- Jandiara! --- A little pause. --- Jandiara!

Jandiara appeared with her head out of the tent. She was a woman in her forties, light brown skin, missing two incisor teeth. She wore a yellow satin handkerchief on her head and a dress full of colorful accessories. She stared at the boy from below for a moment.

--- Hello! Come closer! You may come! --- She said smiling.

--- I want to talk to you. I brought money to pay.

--- Get in here, we cannot talk outside.

The tent was large. There was a girl sleeping in one corner. She had Cairo sit on a cushion. In front of him was a small table lined with purple velvet full of gold coins. Cairo did not feel in danger, so she spoke quickly.

--- There is a curse on my family. I want to know how to break it.

--- Let me see your hand. --- Cairo held out her hand and the gypsy examined it. After a while, she concluded in her husky voice: --- Yes, there is a way to break that spell. But it is not easy. Things of love are very strong. A woman with hatred for rejection acquires powers that are fearful even in the devil!

--- But I want to try. Whatever it is!

--- Hmm!!! --- She whispered. Then she went up to a green glass bottle shaped like a flower pot and poured a liquid into a goblet then offered to Cairo. --- Have a drink. --- She said.

--- No thank you! --- Answered Cairo immediately. He knew what her intentions were. He had been guided by many in the city not to eat or drink anything while at camp.

--- Oh! But why do not you? --- Asked the gypsy indignantly. She did not like that one undone.

--- I have a bad stomach because yesterday I drank a lot of sugar cane brandy in the inn. --- He disguised Cairo. --- But please tell me what to do. I'll pay for your answer.

The gypsy picked up a pack of cards from a tablecloth and hung it on the table.

--- Get a letter. --- Cairo took out a letter and handed it to the gypsy. She looked at the letter and opened her eyes wide. Then she shook her head in denial and said to Cairo. --- You will have to do two things: the person who has made the curse will have to eat something that is part of the cursed body; she'll have to kiss one of the damned. That done, the spell will be broken forever!

--- Wow! It seems almost impossible. --- He retorted.

--- But there is no other way. The letters do not lie... now drink just a sip. Not thirsty? Today is a very hot day, do not you think?

--- I really do not want to. Thanks for the consultation. How much do I owe you? --- Said Cairo already getting up to leave.

--- Pay as much as you think you should. You can play there at the table. --- The gypsy stood up and tried to hold him. --- But stay a little longer. --- And drink some of my soda. It's delicious! You will love!

Cairo threw the notes on the table and left the tent. As soon as he put his feet out he faced the big guy and his son each with a shotgun pointing at him. He made a point of sticking his hand into his pocket to get the black ball but was interrupted.

--- Put your hands up! --- Shouted the gypsy.

--- But I --- He tried to argue.

--- Walk up the tree. --- Said the son. Cairo walked up to a large tree three meters from the cabin. --- Take off your coat.

Cairo would not have another chance to try something because the ball was inside the pocket of the married man that would be taken from him. If it was not then it would soon be cooked or roasted. When he put his hands on the zipper of his jacket to unbutton it, he took advantage of the fact that he was on his back, reached into his pocket quickly and threw the ball on the floor. A great heavy smoke was made within a three-meter radius. Cairo seized the opportunity and ran out into the woods in the opposite direction to the one that had come. None of the gypsies may need the direction to follow him on time. His heart was in his hand. He had never been so tight in his life.

When he got home, he ran to tell his father.

--- Dad! I'm alive! --- He shouted when he saw his father. They hugged each other.

--- Boy, your mother and I were very worried about you.

--- I got rid of the gypsies. And what people say about them is true. Not really good people!

--- And how did you get away?

--- I made a great smoke that Mrs. Neidinha gave me and ran away.

--- Wow! Did you have to resort to the old witch? --- Second Cairo inquired.

--- Yes father. I did not see another solution. The time was passing and I had no information that would help. --- Third Cairo suddenly saddened his face and looked down. His father noticed immediately and asked:

--- But, you got a hard feat, why are you looking frustrated?

--- It's that... to break the spell, I have to do something almost impossible...

--- Which is?

After telling his father what it was, Third Cairo asked:

--- How will I give a body part of a person to the evil eat? This is impossible!

--- No, this is possible yes. --- At that moment, Second Cairo took his son's hand and passed it in his own head. --- Think a little that you'll find a way to make it happen.

Cairo stared at her and suddenly her eyes widened as if she understood her father's message. Then he regained his former enthusiasm and asked,

--- Father, do you know where I can find this Salome? --- Does she still live in the city?

--- Yes. Last news we learned was that she lived in a farmhouse in Trumpeton. They say it sits on the edge of the Rocket Creek.

--- But there are several farms. How do I know what's hers? --- Third Cairo inquired.

--- So, this house where we knew she lived was red. Try the red ones first.

The next day, Third Cairo took two strands of hair from her father and chopped it small; then put them in a small paper envelope that he put in his backpack. Then he put some clothes in his backpack, picked up his shotgun and left. He bought a wild duck at the grocery store and went to Salome's house at Trumpet. Of several houses he had seen, only one was red. He decided to risk it. When he was near, he killed the duck with a bullet and continued.

--- Hello! Is anyone home? --- He shouted. No one came to answer. --- Hello! Is anybody there? He shouted again and once again no one answered. He walked to the back of the house. There was an old lady in the back yard stirring the ground. She seemed to pull some plants off the ground. When she saw him she was astonished and came to him.

--- Who are you? --- She was an old woman of about ninety years old.

My name is Fanuel. I have no home or family. I'm going to Monte Verde to try and get some work done. I hit this duck because I'm hungry, but I cannot prepare it. Could you prepare it for us? He's too big and I'm going to eat only one part. You can eat the other part.

Salome stood looking and analyzing. She looked smart, but also out of date.

--- Let’s go in. --- She agreed, not quite trusting yet.

--- What's your name?

--- Januária. --- Answered the old woman.

Cairo felt she was lying and let her bake the duck.

A few minutes later, someone outside shouted:

--- Salome!

She looked scared to Cairo then went to answer. Cairo stood discreetly and stared out the window. It was a boy who was giving her a basket of eggs. Salome picked up the eggs and went inside. Then she set the eggs on the table and went back to the duck. Cairo pretended not to notice that her name was not Januaria. While she was preparing the duck, Cairo began to tell her story.

--- My family died when our house caught fire. I was out working on a distant farm so I escaped. But I have recently discovered that I am very ill and have little time to live. The doctor said there is no remedy for my case.

--- But you're so young! Are you sure there's no cure? --- She asked.

--- The doctor said no. He said that deep down is because of the sadness I have been losing my entire family. This really left me aimless, with no destination. I'm still lost.

--- How long does it take?

--- It's just over two months old. He said that I would have a maximum of two months of life because my case was already very advanced. He said it could happen at any moment. --- A tear trickled down his face.

Minutes of silence, the old woman prepared the duck, and Cairo watched. When she was putting some aromatic herbs, Cairo asked:

--- You do not like to put parsley? I saw there's a lot in the yard. The taste is very good!

Salome was still blunted by the sadness of Cairo having lost the whole family and being close to dying of a serious illness. It took her time to understand what he was saying.

--- Yes, you are right. I'll put some parsley leaves. Can you go get some leaves for us?

Cairo's eyes widened. He had to find a way for the old woman to step away from the pan.

--- I... I really do not know how to pick parsley. I can ruin the leaves. They also say it is not good for plants strange people to lay their hands on them. Only the owner should do this. --- He explained. Salome was not very convinced, but she did not argue and went into the yard.

Meanwhile, Cairo took advantage of it and put the chopped hair into the pot. When she returned, they continued the conversation as if nothing had happened. It seemed she had not noticed anything.

--- Have you ever been married or had children? --- He asked.

--- No. Who I once loved with all the strength of my soul changed me for another. I never wanted to give my heart to another man. And I did not have kids either.

--- You know, I really miss my mother but especially my grandmother. You remind me a lot of her.

After some more time talking, it was time to eat because the duck was ready. She set the ready bird on a platter and the plates with the cutlery. The two served and ate. Cairo was hoping she would swallow at least a bit of her father's hair, yet it would not be at that moment that he would know. He waited for her to finish the meal.

--- Do you mind if I lie down for a few minutes? I'm feeling very, very bad... --- Said Cairo after they finished eating.

--- You can lie down there. --- She pointed to a shipyard full of muggles that she took out to the boy to lie down.

--- I'm so sad that I think my time is coming. I no longer feel like living. I lost the people I loved the most in my life. --- Cairo dramatized a lot until Salome said:

--- I'd like to help you but there's nothing I can do. Life does what it wants and we do not always understand what it brings.

--- I do not think it's fair they all died burned! --- Cairo began to cry.

--- It's not fair. Life is not fair with us.

--- Do you still love the man who changed you?

A moment of silence, she looked to one side and then to the ceiling.

--- Yes! The good memories I have of our love are alive and well inside of me!

--- Please, stay with me just for a few minutes. I do not want to die alone! --- He asked.

--- But you will not die now. And you will not die here in my house!

--- Sorry, but there's no other way. My time has come just now that I am here. --- More crying. --- Can you do me a favor? It's my last request. --- She did not answer. --- To die in peace, I'll pretend you're my grandmother, all right?

--- If it does you good, then fine!

--- Yes! I'll think you're the one keeping me company on my departure trip from this Earth.

--- It really should not be any good to die alone. --- Says Salome.

--- Grandma, give me a kiss for my soul to leave with breath. It is my last request and I can go in peace. Please, Grandma!

Salome was finding it all very strange, but she thought, "How bad can there be a kiss for the boy to die in peace?" Then she kissed him on the forehead. Her face then began to change. It was getting ugly, ugly, ugly. Seconds later she had her face like the cursed Cairos. She saw the look on Cairo's face as she looked at her and suspected. When she went to the mirror and confirmed, she began to scream in despair. Cairo got up quickly and said:

--- Now, you will suffer what all the accursed of my family have suffered!

He took kerosene from the lantern and spread it around the house, then set it on fire and ran.

The next day, with the curse broken, the family of Third Cairo made a great party in his honor, through the streets of the city, Salome stood by the gutters begging.

The end