The Chest of the Lost

Chapter 18: Light

When we arrived at the small shop, it looked empty. It was exactly how I remembered it- short and hunched, with a low roof and Mrs. Carson-sized door. Despite everything that had changed for me since I had last been there, it was good to know something stayed the same, because I knew that from the moment we walked through the low doorway, everything would be different.

I glanced through the large, open window into the dimly lit room, which seemed vacant. "You think she's in there?" I asked.

Griffin shrugged. "Only one way to find out," he mused as he led me through the small doorway, ducking because of his height. The cabin-like living room looked exactly the same as it had the last time I was here, and I couldn't believe that last time I had spoken to Mrs. Carson was when I found out about my Dark Crystal.

"You wanna sit?" Griffin asked, gesturing to the small armchairs perched in front of the glowing fireplace. I nodded and sat down, and he sat next to me in the other one. It wasn't long before the old lady appeared near the closed door.

"Honestly, how does she do that?" Griffin whispered to me and I laughed, both of us standing up.

"Cyndi, Griffin, thank goodness you're both here."

"Yeah, we just came to ask you about-"

"Your Crystals, yes," she interrupted. "And I'm so sorry."

"Wait, what? What do you mean?" Griffin asked.

"I realized there was a mistake. I found both your Crystals last night while I was helping someone else find theirs."

Griffin and I looked at each other.

"You what?" we asked in unison.

"I found your Crystals. I'm not sure what happened to the other ones, but you both have Light Crystals under your name."

"Wait, but how is that possible? I mean both our Crystals broke," I said.

"Oh." She looked puzzled. "Well, then I don't know what happened. But regardless, I have Crystals for both of you," she said with a smile. "Follow me."

She hurried over to the door that led to the Room of the Future and we followed her inside. I realized I was nervous and Griffin squeezed my hand. The woman ran over and retrieved two small velvet bags, similar to the one I had been given before, then hurried over and handed them to us.

"I'm so sorry for the mistake," she said sweetly.

"There was no mistake," I said, looking up and smiling at Griffin. He smiled back and wrapped his arm around me.

We turned to the woman. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Carson."

"You're welcome." She smiled.

"You ready to go home?" Griffin asked on the way out.

"That depends, will you come with me? My parents are going to love you," I said

"Of course," he said. "My mom already loves you. And so do I."