The Strange Box

Sunshine hadn't expected to be woken up by a drone. Yet, she was. It was around five in the morning. And she woke up to the sound of one arriving at her doorstep. By the time she fully woke up and got her bathrobe on, it was gone. The fact that it came at all had her curious. Just why had it come? Who had sent it? Why did it hover over her front steps for?

All of these thoughts were buzzing in her mind like a busy beehive. And she hurried downstairs to her front door. To check if something had been left behind or not. A she remembered hearing about drones dropping off packages. Though she was curious as to why it left anything at her doorstep. As she hadn't ordered anything in the past six months. Then Sunshine thought it might be a gift from a friend. Or something from her Grandpa Dusk. Like some of his famous deer jerky. Part of her thought that maybe it was a mistake? One that she would need to go to the post office about. Return the cardboard box to them or even write 'no such person here' on it instead? Either way, she just had to know what it was. So, Sunshine hurried downstairs with a tiny smile on her face. Walked up to her front door as quickly as possible. Pulling it open to reveal a small brown box laying there. Just like she thought it would be. Though the sight of it thoroughly confused her. What in the world was in it? Why did she get it at all? And most importantly, who in the world sent it to her?

And why?

With a small moment of hesitation, Sunshine picked up the box. Carefully taking the bundle inside without jostling it. Worried that whatever inside could break or be something worse. She mumbled,"I really hope this isn't a freaking glitter bomb."

"Otherwise whoever sent it is going to deep clean my house.",Sunshine continued. And she would get revenge on them in a similar fashion. Probably more petty than a glitter bomb. And a whole lot worse smelling than one could be. Sunshine set the bundle on her dining room table. She then headed to her kitchen to grab some scissors. That way she could open it without issue if her name was on it. Of which she quickly located the drawer they were in. Then fished them out before returning to the dining room. Checking the names and addresses on it. There was only one address and just one name. Her full name and her address. But nothing about who had sent her the package. Something that had her on edge and made her slightly curious. Part of her brain was saying not to open the box. As it might be something much worse than a glitter bomb could be.

But, in the end her curiosity won out. And Sunshine carefully slid the sharp edge of the scissors onto the tape. Not wanting to accidentally puncture what was inside the box. Fearing what would happen if she did. Soon as she finished removing the tape, she pulled the sides up. Pulling the top open as carefully as possible. Hoping that there wouldn't be glitter coming out. Or something much worse. Her eyes were shut the whole time as she opened the box. Listening hard for any sounds of mechanical whirring. When there wasn't any, Sunshine opened her eyes and peered into the box. What was inside made her even more confused. What was inside was a letter alying on a velvet fabric. Black velvet that felt wonderful under her fingertips. And strangely warm. Warmer than it should really be considering that it was the dead of Winter. This fact she ignored as a part of her imagination. That the cloth wasn't warm in the slightest bit. Then she snatched up the letter and immediately started reading it. Sitting down at her dining room table as she did so. While she read, she ignored the box as she chewed her bottom lip.

'Dear Sunny,

I apologize for what I am going to do. For the amount of pain you will now have to live with. And what this gift might do to you.

It destroyed everything that I have ever loved or will love. Your Mother and Grandmother. Your Uncle and Aunt. The home I made with your Grandmother. Along with the business that we started together years ago. And by the time that you've finished reading this, I shall be dead as well. The thing in the box is what had killed me, Sunny. Killed everyone that we adore and we owned. I'm sending this to you for completely selfish reasons. As I cannot destroy it, I hope that you can. I am hoping that you can destroy it once and for all.

Don't let its disguise fool you, baby. It isn't any ordinary cloth in that box. Its alive and you need to burn it as soon as you can. Don't hesitate, just toss it into your fireplace. Never take your eyes off the damned thing. It move when someone isn't looking at it.

With love,

Grandpa Dusk'

Sunshine's blood ran ice cold at that last line. And the letter dropped from her trembling fingers. Whole body shaking as she turned to look at the box on the table. Tears rolling down her cheeks as she slowly stood up. Knowing full well that the box was completely empty. And her heart sinking as she realized that she had no idea where it was now.