The woman knew what she was doing.
She always knew.
Passing on the curse was the only way out of this wretched existence.
Only one of their family is able to take the curse.
And that’s where Anita came in.
She thought the tales were pure imagination, the lola Ading had dementia and the rest of the clan were entertaining her delusions.
Lola begged and screamed in pain almost every night.
The cousins took turns cleaning and talking to her.
Tonight was Anita’s turn.
She had read about X linked Dystonia Parkinsonism and she thought that might be what lola had, in addition to the dementia. This was mostly due to the stiffening of the joints and the general rigidity of her extremities.
Anita was going to bring it up to the family, that maybe lola could go to an assisted living facility where she could get around the clock care.
But tonight was different.
For the first time in a while lola was lucid.
They talked about Anita’s childhood, about how her being the favorite grandchild was an open secret. Even taboo topics like Tito Boy’s alcoholism were fair game. Anita had tears in her eyes. This was the lola she knew, the one she loved.
They talked well into the night and Anita dozed off.
When she awoke the horror began.
Lola was over Anita, the old woman’s form twisted.
It was as if she had no joints, she hobbled over with her mouth agape.
Anita was overcome with fear. She jumped out of bed and ran outside.
She reached a sharp turn, adrenaline fueling her escape.
An hour passed and she looked back and confusion filled her.
Lola did not give chase.
Anita got her bearings and thought about what she would do.
Anita held her phone tight and called Enrique, the cousin she was closest to.
Her tears were dripping on the ground.
After she told her story, he just replied, “You too?”
=———————–=
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired from the Ameanhig description in Philippine Demonological Legends and their Cultural Bearings and The Aswang Complex in Philippine Folklore, Maximo Ramos, 1990, Phoenix Publishing
Illustration by Klyde Sosa used with permission from Rob Martin of Pine Box Entertainment and Secret Garden Games
