ANTHONY
The night air is cool against my skin as I walk through the quiet streets of Manila. It's been a week since I returned to my human form, but the weight of the curse still lingers in the back of my mind like a shadow I can't shake off. Alison's words echo in my head, her worry and fear palpable even in the silence between us.
I glance up at the darkened sky, the stars barely visible through the haze of city lights. I've been searching for answers, trying to make sense of the inexplicable events that have turned my life upside down. But the truth remains elusive, a puzzle with missing pieces I can't seem to find.
As I turn the corner, a familiar figure comes into view—Alison, sitting by the window in our small apartment. Her wheelchair is pushed to the side, her gaze fixed on the city below. There's a sadness in her eyes that tugs at my heart, a reflection of the pain she's been through because of me.
I approach quietly, unsure of what to say. How do you explain something as absurd as a curse that turns you into a cockroach? How do you reassure someone when you're still grappling with your own doubts and fears?
"Anthony," Alison's voice breaks the silence, her tone soft but filled with emotion. "What happened to you?"
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation I've been dreading. "I... I don't know, Alison. It was like... like something out of a nightmare."
She turns to look at me, her eyes searching mine for answers I don't have. "But you're back now. That's what matters."
I nod, grateful for her understanding but unable to shake the guilt that weighs heavily on my shoulders. "Alison, there's something I need to tell you. About the curse."
Her brow furrows with concern. "What about it?"
"I... I knew," I admit reluctantly, the words catching in my throat. "I knew how to stop it."
Alison's eyes widen in surprise. "You did? Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because..." I hesitate, struggling to find the right words. "Because part of the curse is that I couldn't say it. Or write it. It's like... like a cruel joke."
Her expression softens, understanding dawning in her eyes. "So you were trapped. Unable to tell me."
I nod, the weight of my confession hanging heavy in the air between us. "I tried, Alison. Believe me, I tried. But every time I tried to say the words, they just... wouldn't come out."
She reaches out, placing her hand on mine. Her touch is gentle, a silent reassurance that eases some of the tension in my chest. "You don't have to explain, Anthony. I understand."
"I should have found another way," I say bitterly, my voice filled with self-blame. "I should have done something."
Alison shakes her head, her grip tightening on my hand. "You did everything you could. And you're here now. That's all that matters."
I look into her eyes, seeing a depth of understanding and compassion that overwhelms me. "Thank you, Alison. For everything."
She smiles softly, a bittersweet expression on her face. "You don't have to thank me, Anthony. We're in this together."
As we sit there in silence, the weight of our shared experience hangs heavy in the air. The city continues to buzz outside, oblivious to the turmoil within our small apartment. But in that moment, none of it matters. All that matters is the connection between us, forged in the strangest of circumstances.
"I don't know what the future holds," I say finally, breaking the silence. "But I promise you, Alison, I'll do everything in my power to make sure this curse doesn't come between us again."
She nods, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I believe you, Anthony. I trust you."
I lean closer, unable to resist the magnetic pull between us. "You know," I say softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, "you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen."
Alison laughs softly, a sound that warms my heart. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Anthony Amberson."
I grin, unable to resist teasing her even in the midst of our serious conversation. "Who said I was trying to get anywhere?"
Her laughter fades into a gentle smile, and for a moment, it feels like everything is right in the world. Despite the challenges we've faced, despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead, we're together. And in that moment, that's all that matters.
As the night wears on, I stay by Alison's side, sharing stories and memories until the early hours of the morning. The weight of the curse still lingers in the back of my mind, a reminder of the challenges we've overcome and the ones we still face. But for now, in Alison's presence, I find a sense of peace.
As dawn breaks over Manila, casting a warm glow across the city, I lean down and press a gentle kiss to Alison's forehead. "Goodnight, Alison," I whisper, my voice filled with love and gratitude.
"Goodnight, Anthony," she replies softly, her eyes fluttering closed.
I watch over her for a moment longer, my heart overflowing with emotions I can't quite put into words. Then, with one last lingering look, I turn and quietly leave the room.
The journey ahead is uncertain, and the challenges we face are far from over. But as long as we face them together, I know we'll find a way through.
****
Days turn into weeks, and Alison and I navigate our new reality with a mix of determination and cautious optimism. We learn to cherish each moment, knowing how fragile life can be. Dani, always a steadfast presence in our lives, becomes our rock, offering support and guidance as we rebuild what the curse threatened to tear apart.
Alison's artwork flourishes once again, fueled by a renewed sense of purpose and a depth of emotion born from our shared ordeal. Her paintings capture moments of beauty and resilience, each stroke a testament to the strength we discovered in ourselves and in each other.
"I never thought I'd find inspiration in a cockroach," she laughs one afternoon, her eyes bright with joy.
I smile, grateful for the lightness in her voice. "You've always had a unique perspective."
Anthony Amberson—the man who once struggled with his own identity—finds solace in Alison's art, each piece a reminder of the love and faith that brought him back from the brink of a life trapped in a tiny, insectile form.
Together, we face the challenges of the future, knowing that no matter what lies ahead, our bond is unbreakable. The curse that threatened to consume us instead became the crucible in which our love was forged anew—a love stronger than any magic, any curse, any obstacle.
And as we stand together, hand in hand, watching the sunset over Manila, we know that our journey is far from over. But we also know, with unwavering certainty, that as long as we have each other, we can face anything that comes our way.
But I know, deep down... this curse will permanently end me.
So I am cherishing everything for now.
***