The Present [4]

“Well look what the sadist dragged in,” Karen, my best friend said sliding her foot between the door frame.1

“If it isn't Ivory the pyro. Tell me Ivory, have you come back to burn down the rest of my study? She asked sarcastically. A grin radiating across her face.2

“Can I come in?” I asked pressing my body against the door. I've had a shit night. So can you let me in?”3

Karen hesitated scanning both my hands. Her eyes widened when she saw my evidence box.4

“Is that what I think it is?” Karen asked pushing her door wide open.5

I nodded. I Side stepped past her into the lounge room. Inhaling the familiar scent of lavender and sage that filled the room. I looked around me. Every surface was covered in burning candle light. 6

“And you say I'm the pyro,” I laughed taking in the smells that drifted across, and into my body. 7

I let them relax me like drugs to an addict. That little slice of heaven in the hell inside my head. It had been so long since I had been in Karen's lounge room. In her house. I had forgotten how inviting it truly could be.8

Karen shut the door. Clicking each latch and attaching each chain until the door was bolted shut. 9

I had always wondered why Karen had taken such extreme measures to protect herself when the enemy itself could break locks and manipulate them to their advantage. In their world, against ours it wasn't like they needed to in the first place.10

I set the 'evidence' box on the coffee table and sat back easing myself into her plus chair. The chair itself was almost as old as the two of us were and it has always been my savior after every episode I had encounter during my life. 11

“Tea, Coffee, Wine? Something stronger?” Karen asked counting my choices of beverages  of each finger.12

I shook my head closing my eyes.13

I was beyond sleep. I had reached my second and third wind while driving with the windows down. Letting the morning chill surge through my body. Filling my lungs with crisp, cool air that burned when I breathed deeply.14

“Are you hungry?' I can get you something to eat. You look like you could do with a good feed.”15

I opened my eyes, glaring at Karen.16

“I ate about a half hour ago. I'm fine. Can you relax. Take a seat. You're going to damn well need it by the time we're finished tonight.17

Karen's eyes wandered over to the 'evidence' box. Her hands reached for it. She stopped, begging me for permission with her eyes. When I remained silent she drew closer towards it.18

“Can I?” she asked cautiously. Her coffee brown eyes now wide open. Her pupils dilated.19

I stared into her darkened abyss. Noticing the flickering in her eyes. The way her fingertips trembled as her hands got closer towards the ancient box.20

“Go for it,” I said keeping my eyes inside hers.21

Karen took the box in her hands brining it to her chest.22

Immediately I felt a short, sharp twinge of pain inside my own. I clutched my shirt, choking on on my breath.23

Karen dropped the box onto the sofa reaching for me. Her hand grasping mine, Her fingers pressing against my chest. The pain eased.24

I coughed pointing towards the fridge. The inside of my throat burned . It felt as if I had swallowed broken glass. Glass that had cut me while sliding down inside my body.25

Karen stood up and ran to the fridge. Two seconds later she threw me a bottle of Mount Franklin water. Standing by the fridge in case I needed another one.26

I unscrewed the lid. Guzzling down the contents till I reached the bottom and exhaled deeply.27

Karen padded her way around the couch. One hand on her hip the other scratching her head. She scrunched her eyes up. Her lips trembling. 28

I could see the fear radiating from her. Karen had never been one for the darkness. Even though she had hid behind a wall of attitude- the unknown had always been one of her weakness. 29

“ Where the hell did you find it?”She asked leaning over the couch. Not daring to touch the box, but eager to inspect it.30

I chuckled. It was hard not to. I knew Karen, but I had no idea where to start. The story was as old as I was, and nothing was clear.31

“Hell itself, but to cut a long story short you could say it was given to me by someone who obviously didn't want it anymore?”32


“What? Did you parents find it? Or did someone else find it when they cleared out the house?”33

I shook my head.34

“The house hasn't been cleared out. My father requested on his will that I inherit it.”35

Karen fumbled with the lock.36

“I'm no expert, but it doesn't take a locksmith to figure out how old it is. I mean it looks new. Not brand new, but it's not rusted. Last time I saw this book the lock had rusted. Did you put a new lock on it?”37

I glared at Karen.38

“The last time I saw that box was ten years ago. I haven't touched it since then.”39

“So you think your parents found it? Or your brother? Do you think they opened it up.”40

I shrugged easing back into the sofa.41

“No. I can't see my mother going near it. I mean she hardly dared to go into mt room and my father was the same and keer is to skeptical”42

“So it wouldn't be family then? You don;t know who opened it? Or what's inside” Karen asked frowning. 43

I shook my head and reached for the box. 44

It was time clear something up. To put her her logical mind at ease. I wanted to tell her as little as I possibly could and get cracking on the contents of the box, but she was curious and this was a given.45

“It was thrown at me from out of my bedroom window Karen. There was no living being in the house. I was alone.”