Dec. 17, 2025

A Christmas Romance: A Witch’s Curse Horror Story

A Christmas Romance: A Witch’s Curse Horror Story
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Dive into this chilling Christmas horror story where a centuries-old witch's curse entwines with a doomed romance. From the icy Middle Ages to modern-day Strickfield, discover how true love battles a dark, supernatural force in a tale filled with eerie twists and mature themes.

Unwrap a spooky story perfect for fans of horror stories and chilling holiday tales during the spooky season. Join us as we explore love, betrayal, and curses this Christmas Eve, where some romances end not in joy, but in blood and shadow. Press play, my spookies—and ask yourself: if love can be a curse, how do you ever know when it’s real?

A Christmas Romance — by Rob Fields

🎧 LISTEN NOW and subscribe for spine-tingling horror stories every week!

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📬 Contact Us / Submit Your Horror Story!


🎵 Music by Ray Mattis 👉 Check out Ray’s incredible work here !
👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Bobbletopia.com
🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder
🌐 Explore more terrifying tales at: WeeklySpooky.com
WEBVTT

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A witch kneels at the blade on Christmas Day, and

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with her last words, she curses a bloodline. Centuries later,

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in Snowbound Strickfield, a college romance ignites too fast, dreams

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turn into warnings, and a Christmas Eve wedding rings like

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a trap. The hell weaver is listening, and she wants

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what was promised? How did you get in here? Oh?

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What's that? You want? To be scared her to come

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with me. This is Weekly Spooky. Hello, my spookys, It's Wednesday,

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and you know what that means. It's time for a

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little spooky in your weekly I'm your host and narrator,

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Enrique Kuto. And well, there's actually been spooky every day

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in December, and I hope you've been enjoying it as

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much as I have. Nothing quite brings me happiness like

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spinning a scary story, especially on the backdrop of a beautiful, peaceful,

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colorful holiday season. Tonight's story may sound like it belongs

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on the Hallmark Channel, but don't you worry. Don't judge

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a gift by its wrapping paper. Before we get to that,

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I want to say thank you all so much for

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joining me on Weekly Spooky and allowing me to be

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a part of your holiday season. Make sure you're subscribed

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because tomorrow we drop yet another story. In this time

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it's a novella featuring the return of a certain angel

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of death, so you won't want to miss it. And

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if you love what we do here at Weekly Spooky

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and want to support us, we'd certainly appreciate it, head

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to Weeklyspooky dot com slash join for as little as

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one dollar a month. You get two bonus shows every

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single month and over five years of exclusive creepypasta readings

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and audiobooks at Weeklyspooky dot com slash join. And on Friday,

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I'll be returning on cutting Deep into Horror talking about

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a ghostly, wintry holiday horror film called dead End, so

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don't miss that either. And on Saturday, we have one

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more massive compilation of Christmas horrors for you to enjoy,

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whether you're traveling, doing housework, wrapping presents, or anything and

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everything in between, because now is the time when the

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season has its foot heavy on the pedal, and we're

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here to keep it spooky. Now. As for tonight, what

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if a witch's last words on Christmas Day did not

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die with her but echoed through the snow for centuries,

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waiting for the right couple to collide. What if the

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person you can't stop thinking about isn't fate at all,

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just a trap with a heartbeat. And what if the

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closer you get to Christmas, the closer something ancient gets

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to you. If you're ready for a winter romance where

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the vows are real but the love might not be,

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then listen close and bundle up because it's cold out there.

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A Christmas Romance by Rob Fields. The Middle Ages. Muriel

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Arcam was being taken through her village by two guards

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on Christmas Day. The people stood along the snowy dirt streets,

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many of them chanting curses and other vile things at her,

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which demon woman, Satan's whore, Hell's daughter. Muriel struggled to

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get free, but the guards holding her were far too strong.

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Even if she did break loose, she wouldn't have gotten

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far with her wrists tied together behind her back. She

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staggered a few times, but the men kept her on

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her feet and moving. There's no question of your guilt,

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which one of them said. You're tasting the blade this

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very day. You were caught seducing the magistrate's only son,

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the other added there was no question about her being

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found with Chardon Capwell. The two of them had been

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in a state of intimacy when Magistrate Capwell burst into

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her bedchamber with two guards and ordered Muriel to be

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arrested immediately. Naked, she had been taken to the dungeon

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and given lashes across her back. What hurt Muriel even more.

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What hurt Muriel even more was that Shardan never once

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stood up for her, in spite of their secret romance

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to her. His betrayal hurt even worse than the whip itself.

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The emotional pain felt heavier when she saw the magistrate

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and Shardan standing together. Next to them was the very

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blade the guard mentioned, in the form of a guillotine.

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The blade was raised all the way to the top.

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Just in front of it, at the bottom was a pillow.

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The guard forced Muriel to climb the steps leading to

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the platform. They brought her to the podium and forced

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her to kneel in front of Magistrate Capwell. Went quiet fast,

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you stand before me on this Christmas day, Muriel Arkham.

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He said loudly. The citizens of the village of Miron

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should be home celebrating the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead,

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you force us to deal with you. On this day.

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You were witnessed time and again using magic in the

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form of your potions. You are even observed seducing my

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one and only son. It was Shardon himself who chose

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his soul over allowing you to bring him to hell.

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Whom you serve lies all lies, Muriel screamed. Shardan stepped

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forward and slapped her hand across the face, drawing blood

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at her mouth. She looked up at him, showing even

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more pain and hurt at both the injury and his

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further betrayal. She couldn't hold back any longer and began

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to cry, your tears will not save you, which Chardon

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told her scornfully. I cannot believe I allowed myself to

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love you, an evil witch. You nearly claimed my soul

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for Satan, your lord and master. Let us see if

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he helps you out of the hand that you have

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dealt yourself. Muriel raised her teary eyes. It was you

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who claimed my heart, Chardon. You made me believe that

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you truly loved and cared for me the way I

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did for you. But you have betrayed me to save

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face in front of your own father. If you truly

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mean to end my life, then your betray shall not

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go unpunished. Be silent, witch, Magistrate Capwell ordered her, or

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you shall he shook his head quickly enough place the

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witch within the guillotine Immediately. Muriel's hurt turned to anger.

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As she was placed within the guillotine, she yelled, I

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shall not be silent in what I must say. I

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have only used my gifts to heal others, But on

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this twenty fifth of December, I shall use them to

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curse you, chardon, since it was you who betrayed me

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and wrongfully sent me to the guillotine, I shall curse

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your lineage. Every son born unto your bloodline from this

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day fourth shall become entangled with a member of my

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own bloodline, as law sung. As the sun continues to

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give scorn to the woman of my people, that he

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meets his fate shall be sealed from there the dark

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Mother herself, the hell weaver, shall claim his soul, not satan.

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By the time Muriel finished her curse, the sky had

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turned dark. Even though it was a bitterly cold winter day,

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Lightning broke through the sky. Knowing her curse had been

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both granted and sealed, she faced Shardon one final time,

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catching his eyes. It is done, she hissed, Your fate

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is sealed, Sharden Capwell. Only when one of your male

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descendants truly gives his heart to an Arkham woman, shall

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my curse truly end. Shardan turned and went to the executioner.

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After ordering him away, he took hold of the rope

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and let go of it without a second thought. The

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sharp blade fell fast and hit its mark. Red lightning

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shot downward and struck Magistrate Capwell dead on the spot.

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Shardan screamed defiantly at the sky as he grabbed the

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now decapitated head of Muriel Arkham by its long hair

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and raised it high. For striking down my father this day,

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this is what shall become of all of your kind,

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dark mother, he screamed. Truly, this Christmas day would be

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one to remember in the village of Mirn. The new

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magistrate didn't take his tongue to mourn the loss of

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his father. From there, he ordered his new troops into action.

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He would find and obliterate each and every member of

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Muriel's coven. If it was the last thing he ever did.

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Present day, Grant Capwell worked in one of the science

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labs at Strickfield University as he recorded the results of

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his experiment, which was his final exam for chemistry class.

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He couldn't wait to be done so he could start

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the holiday break. When he saw that he was continuing

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to get his desired results, he knew he had passed

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the exam. When the professor saw this, he told Grant

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to finish up and leave. No sooner had he left

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the classroom. Then he saw his girlfriend, Spencer Mirn, across

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the hall. She was easy to identify by the glistening

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choker she wore around her neck. He went right to

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her so they could share a few brief kisses. You finished,

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she asked, Yes, ma'am he replied. She took his hand.

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Then we're out of here until mid January. Let's go.

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The two of them left University Hall and moved across

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the campus. They decided to treat themselves to celebratory holiday

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drinks at the Bitter End at Wilder Hall, the student

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union building. They walked across the food court there and

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entered the coffee house. Can I help you, A feminine

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voice called out, to them. Spencer gave her order. When

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she saw that Grant was looking over the fliers on

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the bulletin board, she bumped his arm. You ordering, Grant

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snapped out of it. Yeah, yeah, Then he turned to

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face the barista. He was about to apologize for not

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paying attention when his eyes met hers. The barista was

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the most bewitching young woman he had ever seen. Her long,

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raven black hair flowed elegantly. Her bright green eyes looked

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like emeralds that glowed whether light was present or not.

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Grant felt his heart pounding fast. Grant Spencer called out again,

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breaking him out of his gaze. He shook his head

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quickly and realized where he was. Sorry, Spence. He took

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a deep breath and looked at the barista again. Sorry,

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it's the end of the semester. Just getting used to

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being on holiday break now. He glanced at her name

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tag Muriel. That's okay, Muriel replied softly. What can I

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make for you a peppermint mocha? Please? Grant replied. Spencer

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went to pay, but Grant stopped her. When he gave

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Muriel a bill, their hands met, he couldn't help noticing

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how soft her hand felt their eyes met again. Keep

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the change, Grant stammered. Muriel nodded, thank you. When she

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went to make their drinks, Spencer narrowed her eyes on him.

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Why don't you just ask for her number? Grant rolled

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his eyes. Oh, come on, He took her hand. You

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are my girlfriend, Spence, but she wasn't letting him off

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the hook. You sure you're not imagining the two of

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us in a threesome together. Grant gawked at her, jealous

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are we? They were both silent. Soon, Muriel appeared at

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the counter again and placed their drinks down. When Grant

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went to take them, their eyes met yet again. Muriel

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smiled at him. Have a nice break. Grant wished her

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the same before he handed Spencer her drink. From there,

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the two of them left Wilder Hall. Spencer had to

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straighten out some things with one professor over an exam

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and said she would meet him later. Grant thought about

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returning to the Bitter End just to look at Muriel again,

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but he remembered that Spencer had been his girl friend

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since junior high. The two of them had many many

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memories together. He decided to hang out at the Strickfield

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Town Center Mall at least there he could get more

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into the Christmas spirit by checking out that amazing winter

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wonderland that was set up every season. He knew that

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Harmony Miron owned the Mall and silently complimented her on

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yet another series of new scenes. Grant looked forward to

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hanging out at the Mall ever since Harmony had taken

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it over and promoted Christmas year after year. He was

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looking at an animatronic scene of elves loading up Santa's sleigh.

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The reindeer were all turning their heads and waiting for

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the Jolly Old Kringle himself to get aboard and command them.

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Rudolph especially was waiting with his glowing red nose. But

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what glowed even brighter than Rudolph's nose at that moment

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were the two green emeralds that stared across the way

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at him. Muriel, he whispered. The two of them moved

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to meet each other halfway. She wasn't wearing her apron

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from the Bitter End, but he remembered her outfit, a

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dark blouse with a mini skirt on her feet. She

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wore ankle boots. She still wore the choker with the

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fire opal around her neck. I can't believe I ran

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into you twice in one day, Grant managed to say, right,

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She replied, so how are you. Grant and Muriel slowly

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made their way around them, all talking about anything and everything.

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It had never occurred to Grant that he was spending

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time with another woman, nor was he thinking of Spencer

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at all, or that they were holding hands fingers interlaced.

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Grant finally realized this when the two of them went

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to turn in opposite directions and were suddenly face to

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face with one another. He found he had his free

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arm around her back. Her perfume was evident as he

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stared into those bright green eyes again. The two of

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them refused to break eye contact. Grant was only dimly

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aware that his heart was pounding rapidly, his lips were

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just an inch from hers, and not caring who might

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see them, Grant kissed her, Muriel kissed him back. It

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lasted for several minutes before they finally disengaged. He couldn't

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believe he had just and he kissed her again. Now

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00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:25.920
they had their arms wrapped around each other, they were

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completely oblivious to the person who muttered get a room.

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Grant and Muriel were indeed, in a room together, an

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ancient room, they made passionate love again and again by torchlight.

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Grant didn't want to stop touching or smelling her, and

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he couldn't stop his heart from pounding. Neither of them

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seemed to tire of their love making. They became exhausted

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and lay together in the four poster bed, falling asleep

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in each other's arms. Grant woke suddenly and realized he

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was in his own bed sweating. Then he realized he

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had had one of those dreams again after several years,

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and went to the shower to clean himself up. As

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he let the water rain down on him, he cursed

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00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:38.559
himself for not being true to Spencer. But she was

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not there with him at the moment, was she No,

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She was staying at her family home in the Mire

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and gated community. It was no secret that her parents

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did not approve of Grant, and had even told Spencer

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she could do so much better. But how he muttered

250
00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:05.759
to himself, Grant kept a four point zero GPA. He

251
00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:10.000
always made good on his grants and scholarships. Sure, he

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00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:13.960
didn't come from money like Spencer's family, which is why

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he figured her parents looked down on him, but she

254
00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:21.920
still always gave him the time of day. She became

255
00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:27.359
his girlfriend and the love of his life. But then

256
00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:32.880
he met the beautiful Muriel Arkham. Why can't I stop

257
00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:37.359
thinking about you? He asked her, even though she wasn't

258
00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:42.799
there to answer him. Grant finished his shower and grabbed

259
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a towel. He went into his bedroom and saw his

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00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:52.799
smartphone was lit up. He grabbed it and saw Muriel.

261
00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:58.000
Then he remembered the two of them had exchanged numbers.

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Grant picked up his phone and saw three texts from her.

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00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:10.079
I can't sleep you there, can we talk? Grant started

264
00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:16.319
to type a response, then he stopped and closed his eyes. No,

265
00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:21.440
I love Spencer. I can't do this. Then he got

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00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:26.680
one more text from Muriel, I can't stop thinking about

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00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:32.799
you without any further restraint. He did Muriel one better

268
00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:38.039
and responded by facetiming her. There was only a single

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00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:44.359
ring before Muriel's face appeared. I'm sorry, Grant, but I

270
00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:48.240
really can't stop thinking about you. I want to see

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00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:53.319
you again. Grant could have told her why they shouldn't

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00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:57.880
enter into what would be a forbidden affair, but he

273
00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:01.480
knew that he desired her just as badly as she

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00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:06.519
did him. I want to see you too, he conceded,

275
00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:14.400
Where do you live? One second, she replied, There were

276
00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:18.880
no torchlights or four poster bed As Grant and Muriel

277
00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:24.279
were making heated love. The real Muriel was much better

278
00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:29.119
than the one in his burning dream. In Muriel's loft,

279
00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:34.640
they could literally feel each other, become each other, experience

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00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:40.480
each other fully. At one point, Grant cried out when

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Muriel raked her finger nails down his back as she

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00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:49.160
screamed in climax. He wasn't sure if he was bleeding,

283
00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:54.200
but he didn't care. He wasn't sure why he was

284
00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:59.720
so unbelievably drawn to Muriel. It was almost mourning when

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00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:05.279
they finished making love and were resting together. Grant spooned

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00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:09.759
up behind her and was holding her close. They kissed

287
00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:14.559
passionately several more times before they finally just held each

288
00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:22.079
other and talked. Stay with me, she beckoned softly. He

289
00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:29.039
squeezed her gently. No, I don't want to go. Eventually

290
00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:36.359
the two of them fell asleep. Grant woke up and

291
00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:40.920
knew he was still holding on to Muriel. He prayed

292
00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:44.359
to whatever deity might have been listening that what had

293
00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:49.920
happened wasn't all another steamy dream. As soon as Muriel's

294
00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:55.359
scent filled his nostrils, he knew it was no dream,

295
00:25:55.720 --> 00:26:01.200
especially when he felt her warm, silky back against his chest.

296
00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:07.000
Grant saw the only thing Muriel wore was the choker

297
00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:11.880
with the fire opal A part of him wanted to

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00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:16.119
remove it so he could kiss her neck there. As

299
00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:20.960
he was about to, Muriel moaned softly and turned on

300
00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:24.960
to her back. She got out of bed and took

301
00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:29.359
his hand, bringing him to her shower, where they would

302
00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:35.720
share some more passion together. Even then, Muriel never removed

303
00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:40.160
her choker. He thought she looked damn sexy wearing just

304
00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:45.079
that and nothing else. For a brief moment, Grant knew

305
00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:49.279
that he had betrayed Spencer, but that thought was driven

306
00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:53.160
from his mind as soon as he lost himself in

307
00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:59.160
Muriel's embrace again. The pain on his back was evident

308
00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:03.839
when mere Eel's hands caressed him there, they stopped kissing

309
00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:07.880
so she could check him. Grant assured her that he

310
00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:11.880
was all right. Then he caressed the side of her face.

311
00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:18.240
I love you, he told her. A tear suddenly shot

312
00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:24.880
down her cheek. I I love you. Grant shook his head.

313
00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:31.000
What's happening, Muriel? We just met. He held her tenderly,

314
00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:36.279
looking deep into her eyes, caressing her cheek, He asked,

315
00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:43.319
do you want to stop this? She shook her head slowly. No.

316
00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:49.079
I feel like I've waited for you forever. He smiled

317
00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:56.000
a little funny, I feel the same way now, He looked, sad.

318
00:27:57.640 --> 00:28:01.880
What am I going to tell Spencer? You don't have

319
00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:06.680
to tell her by yourself, she promised. We'll talk to

320
00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:10.640
her together. If you're really breaking up with her, she

321
00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:14.440
should at least know who the other woman is. I

322
00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:22.279
don't want to be your mistress. That afternoon, Grant and

323
00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:27.319
Muriel really didn't need to explain everything to Spencer. One

324
00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:30.200
of her friends had seen the new couple at the

325
00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:35.240
mall and taken pictures with their phone. She couldn't send

326
00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:39.720
the picks to Spencer fast enough. As for the meeting itself,

327
00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:45.839
it didn't go very well. Spencer screamed and swore at Grant,

328
00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:49.799
asking him what Muriel suddenly had that she didn't have

329
00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:53.720
in the years they had been in their solid relationship together.

330
00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:57.640
What the fuck did I do wrong? Grant? Tell me?

331
00:28:58.440 --> 00:29:01.279
She came at him and started him with her fists.

332
00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:06.000
You owe me that, you bastard. But Grant couldn't tell

333
00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:10.240
her why he was so deeply in love with Muriel

334
00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:14.640
or how she felt the same way for him. Even

335
00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:18.960
Muriel didn't seem to know what to tell Spencer. She

336
00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:22.839
pushed him away and pointed at Muriel, go ahead and

337
00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:26.720
keep sleeping with her. I promise you both you'll be sorry.

338
00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:31.720
Then she turned and walked away from them, crying and

339
00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:36.319
in great emotional pain. Grant wanted to go after her

340
00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:40.279
and say something, to try and make it right, but

341
00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:44.680
who was he kidding. Muriel approached Grant and held him.

342
00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:49.359
I'm sorry, I feel like such a bitch right now.

343
00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:53.960
He held her in return and looked into her eyes.

344
00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:58.079
I'm just as much to blame here, and I feel

345
00:29:58.160 --> 00:30:01.799
rotten too. The two of them never made a move

346
00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:06.240
to leave each other, making them both understand that it

347
00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:10.920
was just them against the world. Now they really didn't

348
00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:16.559
have to hide from anyone anymore. If anything, it would

349
00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:20.359
make the most sense that Spencer's parents were glad that

350
00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:30.319
their daughter wasn't seeing him anymore. It was Christmas Eve

351
00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:35.640
when Grant finished moving into Muriel's loft. Now they were

352
00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:40.160
again christening the bed they had first consummated their love

353
00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:44.759
in the two of them threw their unbridled passion at

354
00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:50.599
one another. This second time was even better than the first.

355
00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:55.319
Muriel raked his back yet again during an intense climax.

356
00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:59.720
Grant didn't care at all. This time, he knew that

357
00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:04.359
he would bear anything for Muriel. The two of them

358
00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:09.039
fell asleep together after a time, with him spooning up

359
00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:14.319
behind her. In a flash, the scenery changed. Instead of

360
00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:19.039
Muriel's loft, it looked more like an ancient dungeon. Like

361
00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:23.279
the dream in the ancient bedroom, the dungeon was lit

362
00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:30.039
by torches. Muriel suddenly appeared, but she was in a cell.

363
00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:37.599
He himself was outside. Muriel wasn't wearing her choker. She

364
00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:45.680
looked hurt and began to cry. Why, she choked out why,

365
00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:52.160
Grant uttered, I don't understand what is all this? She

366
00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:57.000
shook her head quickly. Why did you betray me? You

367
00:31:57.079 --> 00:32:00.559
came to me when you were greatly ill. I cured

368
00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:04.400
you of the disease that was killing you. You vowed

369
00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:07.119
you would woo me and win my heart for saving

370
00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:12.880
your life. You won my heart and my body. You

371
00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:16.240
betted me many times saying that you loved me and

372
00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:22.680
vowed to marry me. I believed your lies. She came apart,

373
00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:30.240
and you betrayed me. Grant shook his head. But but

374
00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:34.680
I didn't, Muriel. I truly love you with all my

375
00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:40.839
heart and soul. Suddenly Muriel gasped and brought her hands

376
00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:45.720
to her neck. Grant cried out in utter horror as

377
00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:50.720
her skin parted all the way around her throat. Then

378
00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:55.160
her head fell off and landed on the floor at

379
00:32:55.160 --> 00:33:01.559
her feet. Her body fell flat on its back. Now

380
00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:07.319
her head was staring right at him, eyes wide open.

381
00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:18.880
You betrayed me, Muriel's disembodied voice echoed, I shall have

382
00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:26.799
your very soul for this. Grant scream and bolted upright

383
00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:31.599
in bed. He screamed again when he felt hands moving

384
00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:39.200
around him, what's wrong? Upon hearing Muriel's voice, he calmed

385
00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:43.440
down and looked at her. Then he grabbed her to

386
00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:49.839
him and held her close. I keep having these dreams,

387
00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:56.880
he confided, It's you and me. Each time this last

388
00:33:56.880 --> 00:34:04.920
one ended horribly. Embraced him back. Talk to me, Grant

389
00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:11.239
explained his reoccurring nightmares. Why is this happening, Muriel, he asked,

390
00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:14.599
am I damned in some way? Is that what you

391
00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:20.079
losing your head meant? You said, I betrayed you. I

392
00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:24.400
know I betrayed Spencer by taking you as my girlfriend,

393
00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:31.760
but he sighed, I'm so scared. They held each other

394
00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:37.360
for a long while. Then Muriel said, I'm here for

395
00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:41.400
you always. I've only known you for a few days,

396
00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:46.599
but I feel like I've known you my whole life.

397
00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:52.880
I know I love you, and I you, she returned.

398
00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:57.800
They separated just long enough to look at each other.

399
00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:04.639
Then Grant just blurted it out, marry me. She looked

400
00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:09.320
at him with wide eyes. What he was about to

401
00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:14.840
repeat what he had said, but she slowly raised her hand. No,

402
00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:19.199
I heard you. I just could we really get married

403
00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:24.880
just like that? I really don't understand why I'm having

404
00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:28.800
these nightmares. I started having them just after I first

405
00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:32.840
met you. I know it was you in the dreams.

406
00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:38.239
At the same time it wasn't you. I remember making

407
00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:42.320
love to you in the first dream for sure. Muriel sighed,

408
00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:53.559
my family has a history of witchcraft and magic. But

409
00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:58.159
how did I betray you? Grant groaned, That's what I

410
00:35:58.199 --> 00:36:03.480
don't understand. Did I do something that caused your death?

411
00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:08.559
And the nightmare. Muriel shook her head. Listen to me, Grant.

412
00:36:09.199 --> 00:36:14.079
I'm here for you and we're living together now. Grant

413
00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:16.920
put a gentle hand on the side of her face.

414
00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:22.760
Maybe it is because I betrayed Spencer. Believe me, I'm

415
00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:26.000
fully aware I'll have to live with that one. But

416
00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:33.599
I promise I'll never betray you. I love you there now,

417
00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:37.320
I've given you my heart and soul. He looked at

418
00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:42.239
her solemnly, and yeah, I think I do mean it.

419
00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:51.840
Marry me today today, She choked. How yeah, Grant, I'll

420
00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:55.199
marry you. I love you with all my heart. But

421
00:36:55.519 --> 00:37:00.840
how do we get married today? It's Christmas Eve? Who's

422
00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:05.800
going to conduct a last minute wedding today? Grant turned

423
00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:13.079
and grabbed his phone. I do, Grant said, looking into

424
00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:19.440
Muriel's eyes. Then the judge spoke to her. I sure do,

425
00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:24.079
she told Grant, looking deep into his eyes as well.

426
00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:30.840
The judge pronounced them husband and wife. They kissed each

427
00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:35.639
other as the judge witnessed Hugh kids were lucky. I

428
00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:38.719
forgot I left my laptop here last night. Had to

429
00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:40.960
drive all the way from Pendleton just to get it.

430
00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:45.920
The judge told them. Besides, it's Christmas I wasn't going

431
00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:49.039
to keep you kids from being happy. If this is

432
00:37:49.079 --> 00:37:53.280
what you both really want, Grant and Muriel both thanked

433
00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:58.360
the judge again and then left the courthouse. The judge

434
00:37:58.400 --> 00:38:03.760
locked the doors behind them. Wow we really did it,

435
00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:09.920
Muriel said, in disbelief. I just met you and and

436
00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:15.719
I married you. I know. Grant replied with the same disbelief.

437
00:38:16.800 --> 00:38:20.639
Then he took both of her hands in his I

438
00:38:20.760 --> 00:38:24.599
mean it, Muriel, I won't ever betray you. I love you,

439
00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:28.039
and I'll spend every day proving it to you again

440
00:38:28.760 --> 00:38:33.880
and again. She squeezed his hand. Then take me home

441
00:38:34.800 --> 00:38:42.320
and prove it to me. Grant found himself in the

442
00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:47.360
Middle Ages again, only now he was standing on a platform.

443
00:38:48.199 --> 00:38:53.159
He couldn't believe he was looking at an actual guillotine.

444
00:38:53.239 --> 00:38:57.719
The blade itself was down, and there were splatters of blood,

445
00:38:59.000 --> 00:39:02.760
especially on the pillow placed in front of the lethal

446
00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:08.559
execution device. This is what became of me on Christmas

447
00:39:08.840 --> 00:39:13.159
so many years ago, Muriel's voice called out to him.

448
00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:19.519
Grant turned around and saw her standing before him. This

449
00:39:19.800 --> 00:39:24.480
is what your betrayal meant for me, Muriel said, in

450
00:39:24.519 --> 00:39:30.079
an eerie voice. You promised me your heart. I gave

451
00:39:30.159 --> 00:39:34.679
you my own, but you chose wealth and prestige over me.

452
00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:42.239
You betrayed me. Shardon. Grant noticed the choker around Muriel's neck.

453
00:39:43.360 --> 00:39:47.760
Like in the present, it bore the same fire opal.

454
00:39:48.719 --> 00:39:54.440
Muriel pointed at him. I cursed all male Capwell descendants

455
00:39:54.719 --> 00:40:00.079
on this day. The curses finally ended because you, you

456
00:40:00.280 --> 00:40:05.119
truly gave your love to another woman from my bloodline.

457
00:40:05.400 --> 00:40:10.480
She laughed coldly. But I do not care. I shall

458
00:40:10.519 --> 00:40:16.400
never release you. My rage has transcended my death. Then

459
00:40:17.039 --> 00:40:25.239
she swore in a disembodied voice, you shall die. Muriel

460
00:40:25.400 --> 00:40:28.960
withered as she stood in front of him. Then she

461
00:40:29.239 --> 00:40:37.639
screamed and lunged. Grant woke up, gasping. Muriel woke as

462
00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:41.880
well and turned on the lamp. He turned to her.

463
00:40:43.039 --> 00:40:47.320
I'm still having those dreams. You're still in the Muriel.

464
00:40:48.719 --> 00:40:51.719
I didn't betray you. I didn't condemn you to die,

465
00:40:52.880 --> 00:40:59.119
and my name's not Chardon. Suddenly the door burst open.

466
00:41:00.719 --> 00:41:06.159
Spencer Mirn entered with a shotgun in her hands. You

467
00:41:06.320 --> 00:41:10.280
think I don't know who you really are, Muriel Arkham,

468
00:41:11.000 --> 00:41:13.920
You're not the only one with a family that has

469
00:41:13.920 --> 00:41:19.000
a history of magic. She looked at Grant I know

470
00:41:19.159 --> 00:41:23.880
now you didn't betray me yourself. She ensnared you to her.

471
00:41:24.880 --> 00:41:29.480
She glared at Muriel, I'm taking my man back, you bitch.

472
00:41:30.559 --> 00:41:36.239
Muriel became angry. No, I just married him. His everything

473
00:41:36.360 --> 00:41:40.960
is mine. Grant couldn't believe he had two women willing

474
00:41:41.039 --> 00:41:46.199
to fight for him. Spencer pumped the shotgun. It's not

475
00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:49.639
a guillotine, but it'll take your head off just the

476
00:41:49.760 --> 00:41:55.440
same Muriel took Grant's arm. You swore you wouldn't betray me.

477
00:41:56.320 --> 00:41:59.320
You have to stop her. You have to kill her.

478
00:42:00.480 --> 00:42:05.880
At first, Grant hesitated, then he felt his body move

479
00:42:06.519 --> 00:42:09.480
on its own. He shot off the bed and went

480
00:42:09.599 --> 00:42:13.000
right at Spencer. He grabbed hold of her shoulders and

481
00:42:13.159 --> 00:42:16.400
threw her to the floor. He yanked her back to

482
00:42:16.480 --> 00:42:21.039
her feet and struck her down. She hit the floor hard.

483
00:42:22.599 --> 00:42:26.559
Spencer moved fast and snatched the gun before Grant could

484
00:42:26.599 --> 00:42:30.840
grab hold of her again. She swung the butt and

485
00:42:31.000 --> 00:42:36.800
caught him under the chin. I'm sorry, love, but I

486
00:42:36.960 --> 00:42:41.280
have to save you from her. With Grant dazed, Muriel

487
00:42:41.320 --> 00:42:45.159
got out of bed. Her hands were claw like as

488
00:42:45.159 --> 00:42:50.360
she glared at Spencer. His heart is finally mine. It

489
00:42:50.440 --> 00:42:53.719
didn't have to be like this. I wanted to let

490
00:42:53.760 --> 00:42:58.559
you down easy with the break up. It still hurts,

491
00:42:59.320 --> 00:43:06.159
Spencer admitted, Then I'll ease your suffering. Muriel yelled, her

492
00:43:06.199 --> 00:43:13.039
hands glowing. No chance of that. Spencer disagreed, not with

493
00:43:13.119 --> 00:43:16.800
how much I love him. As Muriel was about to

494
00:43:16.920 --> 00:43:21.360
use her magic, Spencer raised her shotgun and shot her

495
00:43:21.360 --> 00:43:25.199
in the ribs. Muriel clutched her wound and fell to

496
00:43:25.280 --> 00:43:30.159
one knee. Spencer pumped the shotgun and shot Muriel again

497
00:43:31.199 --> 00:43:35.280
in the heart. This time, the naked woman fell onto

498
00:43:35.320 --> 00:43:41.519
the bed and remained deathly still. Spencer turned to see

499
00:43:41.559 --> 00:43:49.360
Grant getting up. What happened? He looked up Spence, She

500
00:43:49.519 --> 00:43:53.639
dropped the gun and lowered herself to Grant. I saved

501
00:43:53.639 --> 00:43:58.400
you from that witch. When they stood up, Grant grabbed

502
00:43:58.400 --> 00:44:02.440
his pants and pulled them on. Then he listened as

503
00:44:02.440 --> 00:44:08.800
Spencer explained everything. I couldn't just let you go, Spencer explained,

504
00:44:09.719 --> 00:44:13.440
even when my parents told me to. We have too

505
00:44:13.480 --> 00:44:17.239
much history together and I wasn't going to just let

506
00:44:17.280 --> 00:44:22.679
you be ensnared by her. I love you, Grant, and

507
00:44:22.760 --> 00:44:27.199
I always will. The two of them came together and

508
00:44:27.360 --> 00:44:34.079
kissed passionately. When they came apart, Grant noticed Muriel's body.

509
00:44:35.320 --> 00:44:40.599
He sat down beside it and unclasped the choker. When

510
00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:45.079
it fell to the floor, they watched as the skin

511
00:44:45.280 --> 00:44:51.360
began separating around the neck. Soon, Muriel's head fell off

512
00:44:51.400 --> 00:44:56.239
her body and landed on the floor with a loud thud.

513
00:44:57.880 --> 00:45:01.719
Grant shook his head. Let's get out of your Spence.

514
00:45:03.159 --> 00:45:07.400
She retrieved her shotgun and the two of them made

515
00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:14.199
their exit. When they entered their room at Strickfield Inn,

516
00:45:14.800 --> 00:45:20.880
Grant snatched Spencer's shoulders and began to cry. I'm so

517
00:45:20.960 --> 00:45:27.519
sorry I hurt you. It wasn't you, Spencer whispered. They

518
00:45:27.599 --> 00:45:33.480
found themselves kissing passionately again. When they came apart, she

519
00:45:33.679 --> 00:45:38.239
caressed the side of his cheek. I love you and

520
00:45:38.280 --> 00:45:44.559
I forgive you. I have to. It's Christmas now. Grant

521
00:45:44.639 --> 00:45:50.280
saw the clock by the bed twelve thirteen am. When

522
00:45:50.320 --> 00:45:54.559
he turned back to Spencer, he saw her removing her clothes.

523
00:45:55.480 --> 00:46:01.920
Then she got into bed. I'm waiting, she and but

524
00:46:02.119 --> 00:46:09.559
Grant hesitated. I married Muriel, and after death did you part?

525
00:46:10.280 --> 00:46:14.320
Spencer pointed out. Now, if you want to spend the

526
00:46:14.320 --> 00:46:18.679
rest of your life with me, then come here and

527
00:46:18.760 --> 00:46:23.199
make love to me. Grant felt like he didn't deserve

528
00:46:23.280 --> 00:46:27.599
her in spite of knowing that Muriel had ensnared him,

529
00:46:28.199 --> 00:46:33.719
but he knew he truly loved Spencer and was thankful

530
00:46:34.199 --> 00:46:40.679
for this second chance on Christmas. In fact, Grant and

531
00:46:40.800 --> 00:46:52.840
Spencer eloped in North Ridgeway before the new year had come. Well,

532
00:46:52.880 --> 00:46:58.760
my spookies, that was a Christmas romance. And maybe the

533
00:46:58.840 --> 00:47:03.039
snow outside your window looks peaceful right now, but you

534
00:47:03.239 --> 00:47:07.679
know better, because in Strickfield, Christmas doesn't end when the

535
00:47:07.760 --> 00:47:12.480
lights go out. It lingers, it waits, it watches, and

536
00:47:12.559 --> 00:47:15.760
if you listen close enough, you can almost hear the

537
00:47:15.840 --> 00:47:21.719
old curses moving under the carols. Soft as falling flakes,

538
00:47:21.760 --> 00:47:26.599
sharp as a blade. So lock the door, check the window,

539
00:47:26.800 --> 00:47:30.280
and if you're sharing your heart tonight, make sure it's

540
00:47:30.360 --> 00:47:35.360
really yours to give, because tomorrow we're not doing a

541
00:47:35.480 --> 00:47:39.920
cute little ghost story. We have a novella length nightmare

542
00:47:40.239 --> 00:47:43.880
and a surprise return of someone you've missed for all

543
00:47:43.960 --> 00:47:48.920
the wrong reasons. The Angel of Death, a snow choked highway,

544
00:47:49.119 --> 00:47:51.920
a neon green fire that shouldn't exist, and a thing

545
00:47:52.000 --> 00:47:55.000
that won't stay dead, and the kind of Christmas Eve

546
00:47:55.039 --> 00:47:59.039
that turns your hometown into a crime scene, So subscribe

547
00:47:59.039 --> 00:48:01.880
and come back here Tomorrowmorrow to hear it all. And

548
00:48:01.920 --> 00:48:04.960
an extra special thank you to our Patreon podcast boosters,

549
00:48:04.960 --> 00:48:07.760
folks who pay just a little bit more at Weeklyspooky

550
00:48:07.800 --> 00:48:10.679
dot com slash Join to support the show and hear

551
00:48:10.719 --> 00:48:13.719
their name at the end of it. They are Johnny Nix,

552
00:48:13.840 --> 00:48:18.320
Kate and Lulu, Jessica Fuller, Micah Skewey, Jenny Green, Amber Hansford,

553
00:48:18.400 --> 00:48:21.360
Karen we Met, Jack Kerr, and Craig Cohen. Thank you

554
00:48:21.440 --> 00:48:23.280
guys so much, and if you want to hear your

555
00:48:23.360 --> 00:48:25.159
name at the end of the show, just head to

556
00:48:25.199 --> 00:48:28.880
Weeklyspooky dot com slash Join and sign up. At fifteen

557
00:48:28.920 --> 00:48:31.559
dollars a month or higher. You'll get the two monthly

558
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bonus episodes, you'll get over five years of creepy pasta

559
00:48:35.119 --> 00:48:41.639
and audiobooks, and my undying gratitude Weeklyspooky dot Com slash Join.

560
00:48:42.360 --> 00:48:44.480
But now my Spooky's I gotta get back to work

561
00:48:44.480 --> 00:48:48.320
because a whole novella will not record itself, especially not

562
00:48:48.360 --> 00:48:51.519
if you're going to unwrap it tomorrow. So for myself,

563
00:48:51.599 --> 00:48:55.440
for my executive producers Rob Fields and Bobbletopia dot Com,

564
00:48:55.440 --> 00:48:58.599
my producer Dan Wilder, and of course my creepy composer

565
00:48:58.679 --> 00:49:02.000
Ray Maddis. I'll talk. I'll catch you tomorrow. Thank you

566
00:49:02.079 --> 00:49:05.320
for listening to me. Make sure to find your way

567
00:49:05.400 --> 00:49:12.199
back next week. But for now you are safe. Trust me,