THE MUSIC BOX (chapter 3.1)

Chapter three - Lyrine

A week before leaving, I went around to all my friend’s house’s and said goodbye. Since it’s the winter holidays, we all had this big going away party at Zoe’s house. It was the most fun i had in ages, with music and food and games, but reminded me that I will probably never see any of them again.

I also went over to my cousin’s house to pick up the music box and I guess say goodbye, though I don’t know why I should. They were the ones that accused me of that horrible crime! I still can’t believe it. Maybe this is all a dream and I will wake up anytime soon.

But probably not. So, about three days before the flight, I go up to Aunt Edna and Uncle Ian’s house and knock on the door. Lucy opened it and, seeing me, burst into tears and tightly hugged me. I was so surprised I just stood there. Then started hugging her back and saying in a soft gentle voice “there there it’s ok” like the one my mum uses when I’m upset. Then Lucy started blubbering all these apologies, saying that she didn’t mean it or believe what they said.

“I know I know,” I said kindly, “all I want to get is the music box because I’m leaving in three days.” Lucy immediately let go of me, wide eyed.

“What?” She asked, genuinely surprised.

“Umm I’m leaving for Australia in three days and I’m here to pick up my music box,” I repeated.

“I...I didn’t know you were leaving so soon!” cried Lucy.

“Really?” it was a bit peculiar that Lucy didn’t know we were leaving in a few days. I mean, we are cousins. “Well how about I stay with you for the whole day. OK? But I just need to get the music box. Where’s everyone?”

“Well, the only one here is father, but he’s taking a nap. The others went out to the shops. And I really, really, really want to be with you today, come in I’ll show you where the music box is.” So leading me inside, Lucy, ran upstairs with me following her.

I always thought of the music box as being an actual box that you opened and there’s a ballerina dancing and places to put jewelry and stuff. But this was completely different. In was an egg shape with intricately painted pictures on it. It was about the size of a really big orange, quite small for a music box I thought. The colourful drawings on it were really unique, and were delicately painted with love and care. I didn’t have enough time to look at the pictures in detail or to figure out how to open it (because there weren’t any latches or key holes) so I gently placed in my bag.

“Thanks, I’ll just go put in my room then I’ll come back,” I said to Lucy, who pointedly ignored me, as if I wasn’t there. Instead she was hurriedly searching around the attic as if she’s never seen it before, even though it was her house. Somewhat confused in the suddenly strange behavior of my little cousin I slung my handbag with the music box in it over my right arm a headed downstairs.

Mulling things over in my mind I thought it was a bit weird that Lucy wouldn’t go with the others to the shop, and then being left basically alone in the house as her dad is sleeping. Just to make sure that Uncle Ian is here, I slowly crept into his and Aunt Edna’s bedroom. Yep he was there alright but there was also some else. Or something else. There was Uncle Ian lying in his bed, being almost choked to death by a tall, crimson monster.