Without Me

Scrambling

Dan stood up and looked up around the room, he needed to find the key fast. Phil left no description on the sticky note about what the key looked like or where to look, this certainly was going to be a challenge for Dan. He started scrambling around the bedroom, pulling out drawers, throwing clothes out of the closet, and ripping the mattress off the bed. The room looked like a tornado had blew through it, leaving everything awry on the floor. Dan slumped up against the bed frame, about to give up, not wanting to look through the rest of the apartment. He looked over to the window and out of the corner of his eye he saw his key chain. He quickly picked them up and started flipping through, trying to see if any were never used or if he didn't recognize it, but sadly, no luck. Dan was fed up with this, he knew Phil had good intentions, but he couldn't stand that Phil had made it so difficult. In frustration, he threw his key across the room, they clattered against the wall and landed with a thump on the floor. Dan didn't want to try anymore, so he went into the livingroom and sat on the couch. He was about to turn on the tv when he realized that he didn't check Phil's keychain, just his. So, he ran back into the bedroom, almost sliding into the wall when he slipped on a t-shirt that was laying on the floor. He pulled out the bedside drawer and picked up keys that were all colored coded by tape. Dan flipped through the abundance of keys until he got to one that he'd never seen before. It was swirly and engraved with the letters DPL. Dan thought of what those letters could stand for. His last conclusion was, "Dan and Phil Lester". Dan smiled a huge smile, he must've had this key forever. Fiddling with the key in his hand, Dan walked over to the closet where the little box was sitting. He sat on the floor, legs crossed and the box in his lap. Dan inserted the key into the keyhole and turned, he heard little clicks within the lock. Finally, the key stopped and a louder click was heard. Dan pulled down on the lock and it opened with clank. Dan lifted up the top to the box and out popped a little ballerina. He turned the little silver knob that lay in the box and listened to the mechanical sound that emerged from the box. When Dan let go of the knob, the little ballerina in a pink tutu started turning slowly. The box also started humming a tune, it was familiar, the song was "The March" from the ballet, The Nutcracker. Dan sat there for a moment, listening to the beautiful music that came out of the little box. When the music stopped, Dan was about to turn the knob again when he noticed a little tab coming out the corner of the box. He lifted the tab, revealing a piece of paper, 500 dollars, and a few more engraved keys. Dan took out these items and put them in a bag for later. He continued to examine the box, it felt heavy in his hands and was weathered on the outside. The exterior was deceiving because the interior was painted purple and blue and was engraved with letters and swirls. It looked like a snow scene and made the tiny ballerina look elegant and pretty. Dan turned the silver knob again until it couldn't turn anymore. He layed on the bed and closed his eyes. Dan listened to the soothing music it engulfed him and filled his ears with delight. It calmed him and slowly he fell asleep, listening to it as if it was a lullaby. Dan knew this was going to be an adventure and was excited to find out what the paper says and why he needs 500 dollars.