An unexpected turn of events

Chapter one - the mystery box.

     It was a sunny Thursday afternoon. Mary was helping Owen clear out his attic, as he was moving soon.
"I never knew you had so much stuff here!" Mary laughed, as she blew a cloud of dust off a box.
"Neither did I; it's basically a junk heap!" he replied, smiling. Grinning, Mary pulled out another box. It was a pale shade of pink, similar to candyfloss.
"What's in this one?" She asked, "Can I open it?" Owen looked at the box and immediately did a double-take.
"No," he answered firmly.
"Why?" She asked with curiosity.
"N-n-nothing," he stuttered, "I-it's just b-b-boring stuff."
"Okay?" She replied, puzzled.