The Orcusi

Doris dropped the necklace into her granddaughter’s hand.  Rebecca started to protest but Doris ignored her.

“This is yours now. I can’t take it with me. I can hear the Orcusi. It started a few days ago. First the flutes… then violins… and now the whole orchestra. The deathly music plays and I will be dead by morning. Your mother heard it too, just before her accident. It’s our family’s curse, or perhaps… it’s a blessing.”

While Rebecca remembered her mother’s final words that terrible day, she tried to ignore the haunting flute that was playing in her own head.