the blueshifters, parts 1 + 2 (Complete!)

Burn It (episode 8)

Burn It

Mary's hands shook as she unlocked the door and led them in. She turned on the lights.

"I turned all of the mirrors in the house over, as you can see. Anybody want something to drink?" No one answered.

"What about your bathroom mirror?" Asked Dan.

"That's the only one I can't control. It's also the one where this. . person. . .appears to me the most."

"What about the box?" Asked Jack. Mary blew a hesitant breath out. She shivered slightly.

"Right. The box."

"Before you bring the box out, tell us more about it. What do you think it is?" Asked Dan sitting down on the couch.

"Sort of like a Pandora's Box."

"What happens if you open the box?"

"That's the thing. I'm not exactly sure. I just know from what other people have said that once you open it, some contract goes into effect."

"You said someone was stalking you after you got the box."

"Yeah. Like they expected me to open it immediately. And when I didn't that's when I noticed the feeling of being watched."

"And harassed," finished Dan. She nodded.

"You said the box was supposed to fix problems. Can I ask what kind of problems you were having? Or is that too personal?" Asked Dan. Mary's face paled.

"Alright, don't tell us. That's fine."

"No, no. It's ok. It's just that it's hard to talk about right now. I'll go get the box." She left down the hall. Jack stretched out and leaned against the wall.

"A box that fixes things. First time I've heard about that. I never had anyone offer me anything like that.

"I think they approach each person differently." Said Dan.

"It reminds me of those people that go to the crossroads and make a deal with the devil for some power or success for a certain amount of time."

"It does sort of have that vibe. Like if you open it, it steals your soul or something. Except we aren't dealing with devils and magic. Something else is going on here."

"I once heard someone say that technology that is sufficiently advanced looks like magic."

"I think that's true." Mary came out with a deep red, small, lacquered box and she set it on the table as if it were radioactive.

"Did you ever shake it?"

"Yes. There's nothing in there as far as I know without opening it." Dan took it up and turned it around in his hands. It felt slightly too heavy for its size.

"I wonder what would happen if we burned it."

"Burn it?" They both asked.

"I'm thinking if this isn't magic, and I don't believe in magic, it's a device that allows them access to you personally somehow, or allows them to enter your mind, or. . something."

"But they already have access to us. They're here," she said.

"Yes but there is something more they want. Or else why give you this thing? What's the point? They need you to open it Mary. It's like a drug dealer on the street corner or even a cartel." Dan's thoughts were racing now.

"If no one took drugs they don't have business. They need people willing to take them I order to get them hooked and to make money. A steady supply. What if these aliens needed more from us than just our planet? What if they needed something from us?"