The Hour Of Darkness

Chapter 2

Tucked comfortably in her bed, Islay stared outside the window of her room. It was a rainy night, and the drops of rain slid against the glass panes swiftly, leaving a trail of glistening lines behind them. As she traced her fingers along their path, she couldn't shake off the unease that had settled over her.

Sleep eluded her that night, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts about the mansion, the paintings, and most of all, the box. "The box!" she whispered to herself, her curiosity piqued once more. She glanced towards the side table drawer where she had hidden it, her heart beginning to race. With a determined resolve, she pulled the box out and examined it under the dim light of her room.

The black box was smooth and cool to the touch, its surface unyielding and mysterious. Islay's slender fingers traced every edge, every corner, searching for any clue on how to open it. She felt a subtle shift beneath her fingers at the bottom corner of the box. Holding her breath, she pushed gently on the perimeter of the bottom side, and to her astonishment, a tiny compartment drawer slid out.

She gasped, her eyes widening as her fingers now held a small, black key. Her heart pounded in her chest as she inspected the keyhole at the bottom of the box, hidden by a layer of black sticky substance. "Rubber glue," she murmured to herself. Determined, she stood up and walked towards her vanity, where the flickering candle flames cast dancing shadows on the walls.

Carefully, Islay held the bottom of the box near the candle flames. The heat began to soften the glue, and soon, drops of the black substance started to melt away, dripping onto her table. She squeaked with excitement as the keyhole was revealed.

With bated breath, Islay inserted the tiny black key into the keyhole. A sudden roar of thunder made her jump, nearly causing the key to slip from her hand. The rain outside intensified, pounding against the window with a renewed fury. She took a deep breath, calming her racing heart, and turned the key clockwise.

"Tick." The box unlocked with a soft hum, and to Islay's surprise, music began to play. "It's a music box!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with wonder. The top inside of the box was adorned with a compact mirror, a compartment for jewelry on the side, and a little cylindrical stage.

Inside the jewelry compartment lay two tiny figures, dressed in all white from head to toe. They wore frilly dresses and ballet shoes, one arm elegantly raised above their head, the other encircling their waist. They were delicate ballerinas.

Islay carefully placed the tiny ballerinas atop the stage. As the music played, the stage began to rotate, and the ballerinas danced in graceful circles. She watched, entranced by their delicate movements and the soothing melody that filled the room.

The melody wrapped around her, a sweet, haunting tune that lulled her into a trance. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she found herself humming along with the soft piano notes. A tingling sensation spread throughout her body, and her vision was suddenly filled with bursts of golden flakes.

She felt herself being lifted, her feet touching a ground that felt wet and scaly. Her eyes remained closed, sensing a luminous light surrounding her. Warmth enveloped her, and her hair swayed gently in an unseen breeze.

...

Islay never, in her wildest dreams, imagined standing where she was now. Surrounding her was a massive garden, filled with bushes of pink roses and beds of yellow tulips. Daisies encircled the large oak trees, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze. The grass was greener than any she had seen at home, a vibrant emerald carpet that stretched as far as her eyes could see. The air was fresher, filled with the sweet fragrance of roses, and the sun beamed beautifully, casting a warm, golden glow over the serene landscape.

The scene was so serene and enchanting that Islay couldn't resist lying down on the grass, which was still a little wet from the morning dew. She felt a sense of amusement and lightness, as if the worries of the world had melted away. Nearby, the familiar tune of a piano fluttered across her ears. It was the same melody she had heard the music box playing, but here, it felt surreal and captivating, a magical force guiding her body.

Islay stood up, closing her eyes and allowing the melody to lead her. She began to sway gently, her movements fluid and graceful. Standing on her tiptoes, she twirled like a ballerina, her arms raised above her head. Around and around she spun, her hair blowing in the warm, colorful breeze. She giggled, feeling a childlike joy, and playfully bowed to an invisible audience.

Exhausted by her impromptu performance, Islay collapsed onto the grass, panting for air. She wiped a bead of sweat trailing down her forehead and noticed something sparkling in the sunlight. There, on the green bed of grass, lay the ballerina figurine, shimmering and delicate.Islay picked up the tiny ballerina, holding it carefully in her hands. She could still feel the melody resonating within her bones, her mind playing the song like a broken record. The tune hummed off her tongue effortlessly, as if it had been etched into her very being. Her eyes grew heavy once more, closing of their own accord. She felt the familiar sensation of golden flakes coating her vision, a tingling warmth spreading through her body.When She opened her eyes, she found herself back in her room, staring at her vanity mirror. She was seated where she had been before, the music box in front of her. The enchanting melody played softly, and after a few more beats, it stopped, leaving a haunting silence in its wake.She blinked, disoriented, her mind struggling to reconcile the enchanting world she had just left with the familiar surroundings of her room. 

The music box sat innocently on her vanity, its secrets now partially revealed. Islay's heart ached with a longing for the garden, for the joy and freedom she had felt there. Yet, as she touched the ballerina figurine in her hand, she knew that the magic of that world was not entirely lost. 

It lingered in the melody and in her memory.