Short Horror Stories

Mp3-player

I laugh triumphantly as I carefully open the box.

Here it is... finally!

It took me a good while to find, but now I finally got it!

I take out the small familiar-feeling object out and can't help but smile at the sight of it. I really got something good this time!

It's an old-fashioned, early 2000's mp3-player.

Long ago I used to own one of these, back in my high-school days. Though after many years of heavy use it finally breathed its last and broke down.

I was really down in the dumps when the thing wouldn't start again. It didn't matter if I gave it a new battery or pressed the button frantically. Honestly and a little embarrassing, I think I even mourned it a little.

Yes I kept it, but it eventually got lost between my things when moving out of my parents' house and I never found it back. Perhaps it's still lying somewhere in a dusty corner in the attic.

The one I have just taken out of the box looks almost identical to the one I remember using.

Even some of the scratches... Is that just common with use?

But for the most important part...

Does it still work?

I pop in a fresh battery and close the lid.

Gently I push the on/off button for about a second, like I used to do with my old one.

Will it start?

In anticipation I stare at the tiny, rectangular screen.

The screen starts glowing and I almost scream out loud of happiness.

On the faint green glowing screen, the black letters 'Welcome' appear.

Fuck yes!!

Holy shit, I can't believe it!!

The title of a song appears, but I don't recognize it.

Did the last person forget to erase theirs?

I know I could just remove them all, but I'm a bit curious to see what I will be able to find.

I throw a quick glance at my headphones while I take them with my free hand.

This one is also a slightly older model, it's not wireless or soundproof, but it just feels better like that. Especially with this mp3, it would be plain stupid to pick something so new.

I press the 'play' button and the song starts to play.

It feels vaguely familiar, but I probably heard it somewhere on the radio or something.

After the song is finished I play the next.