From Bad to Curse

Story Sent in by Erik:

I was having a nice first date dinner with Diane when she took off a bracelet she wore, one of leather with metal studs, and said, "I never do this, but will you wear this? It would mean a lot to me."

It was unexpected, but I did it. I asked her, "Why?"

She said, "I may tell you, sometime." Okay.

After dinner, we walked on a nearby beach and I asked her, "What's the story with this bracelet?"

"I can't tell you. Not yet."

When the date was nearly over, I took the bracelet off and handed it back to her. She said, "Keep it for now. Wear it and think of me."

The rest of the date, I need to stress, had been awesome. I thought we really clicked, and that her lending me the bracelet was just a sweet gesture.

When we hung out again, I was sure to wear it, and although she didn't say anything about it, I caught her glancing at it several times. So far, so strange, but good.

Date three: we went out on a drive to the country to visit some farm stands and such. I had the bracelet on and while we were in the middle of browsing in a country store, she asked me to give it back.

The first thing I thought was that this was her way of ending our dates. I asked her if that was the case and she said it wasn't. "But," she said, "I really have to take it back, now. I think the curse is gone."

"Curse?"

"It's a cursed bracelet. Every guy who's ever worn it has died less than a year after wearing it."

Stunned silence from me. She said, "But I sense strong magics in you. You might last a long time."

I said, "If you really think it's cursed, then why did you have me wear it?"

"To test it out. I want to see if you'll die. But maybe you won't. We can still date. Until you die. If you want."

I didn't want. And that was six years ago.