Around your neck

It's not like you believe in curses, but your friend might and if she does, giving her a supposed 'cursed gift' would be most improper. You found a set of gilded cat figurines instead which she's rather fond of. After tea, you head into town to party and get slightly tipsy on cherry wine. The cigar smoke in the bar has made the air heavy and you excuse yourself for a moment to head outside for some fresh air. But as you sit down on a bench outside the feeling of nausea doesn't seem to clear. Two cold sticky hands creep onto your face from behind you. You try to turn and look at the assailant but before you have the chance your head gets roughly yanked to the side, there's a horrifying cracking sound. followed by nothingness.