Demon Boy // Awsten Knight (ON HOLD)

I: Music Box

The smell of must was the first thing I had noticed as I entered the store, along with the sound of the bells attached to the door handle. Looking around, I saw many different types of old items and accessories; decor, toys, clothing, and even furniture filled every corner. I couldn't possibly look at everything in this store, even if I had the time.

I was here to find a unique piece to fill the empty space of the mantle in my living room, hoping something here would catch my eye. Walking around, I observed many different unique items, from lamps to dolls and everything in between. There were so many options. I wish I could just buy them all, but I told myself I could only buy one thing.

It felt like I looked at everything in the store within the first few minutes, just because of how many things there are. I could buy the old cracked porcelain doll, the vintage cat statue, anything.

My thoughts were interrupted by a light chime coming from a few isles over. Was that a music box? It played an interesting tune that quickly caught my full attention as I headed in the direction the sound was coming from.

I eventually found it, hidden behind other figurines a few aisles down from where I began. As soon as I touched it, the music stopped.

Odd. Probably just a weird timing coincidence.

It was cold to the touch, surely not room temperature. It's probably just from the metal it's made of. I picked it up, observing the details. I was made of brass and still had some of its shine, although it was becoming dull and had its age showing by the scratches and scuffs. It was unique in its own way, having patterns along the edges and a twisting lock to keep it shut.

Opening the box, it seemed to be like a keepsake box with the mechanism for the music inside. something like this would be a unique piece and also be functional at the same time, especially if a friend is spooked by old music boxes.

This is definitely the one.

I felt a slight cold sensation as I was walking to the front counter to pay, sending shivers down my spine. Probably just a cold spot of the store.

The lady working at the store, whom I supposed was the owner, judging by her being the only one working, appeared to be about 60 years old. Her hair was gray but still kept nice with the short curls ending around the bottom of her earlobes. She wore light makeup, just enough to make her appear a few years younger. She wore a brown knitted cardigan over her white button-up shirt.

She definitely owns this store, I thought to myself as I gave her a light smile, placing the music box on the counter. She gave me a weird look, clearing her throat lightly as she began to speak.

"Miss, I must tell you something about this music box that should serve as a warning."

I slightly raised my eyebrows at her, puzzled by what she could have meant, "What is it?"

She gently placed her hands on the top of the box, "There is a dark energy here. Something I've never felt before this was dropped off. It has quite a history, too."

"What kind of dark energy? Spiritual?" I was curious as to why she felt that this music box was the cause.

She nodded slowly, "I've been told by the person that brought this in that there is some form of spirit bound to this. He found this at the site of a house that burned to the ground a few years ago. The two people living in that home were both killed in that fire. The box was found barely touched."

I was sure this was just a coincidence. There's no way this box has a demon, or whatever it is, attached to it. There's no way they even exist.

"What else do you know about it?" I asked, wondering if there's any more details that could add up with the story.

"Ever since this box has been in my shop, things have felt," she hesitated, "off. The energy has shifted quite a bit over the past few months of it being here. Sometimes, I'll come early in the morning to open the store and there are different things scattered around. Some are on the floor, some in different spots on the shelves, all sorts of little things that are easily noticeable. The gentleman that brought this in had also shown me the scratches on his hands that were otherwise unexplainable. They did not belong to any animal, surely. They were burning red lines on his hand, the skin wasn't broken in any way."

I bet that guy had cat scratches or something. I've had them before without breaking the skin, too. This has to be all phony. I was still going to buy this music box.

"I'll still buy it. If something happens, then it happens," I told her quietly as I got my wallet out of my purse.

She interrupted as I was searching for my card, "Just take it. I'm not going to charge you anything for it. I wish you the best of luck and I am praying for your safety."

I smiled softly at her as I put my wallet back in my purse, picking up the music box, "Thank you, I appreciate it."

She smiled back, this time seeming sympathetic as if she's now deeply worried about me. I mentally shrugged it off as I left the small store with the music box.

I put the music box on the floor in front of the passenger seat as I sat in the driver seat, turning the key in the ignition to start the car. Static filled the speakers as I searched through every radio station.

That's odd, usually, they work.

Figuring it was the cold weather or something simple like that, I pulled out of the parking spot, realizing that the music box had begun playing music again. Maybe it ran automatically at different times.

The music box played during the five-minute drive home, only stopping as I pulled in the driveway to my small house.  I picked up the box as I stepped out of the car, bringing it inside with me after unlocking my door.

Walking in my living room, I set it down on the empty spot in the middle of the mantle. It looked nice there, fitting in with my other unique pieces of decor. I've been keeping my decor style as 'creepy antiques' for the past few years, collecting pieces as I go along.

Deciding to sit down and watch TV, I turned on Kitchen Nightmares. Gordon Ramsey being angry has always been entertaining, and always will be.

I quickly pulled a blanket over me as I shivered, suddenly feeling cold, just like in that one spot of the store. I eventually became cozy enough to stop shivering. The music was playing on the music box, yet again. Maybe I'll figure out how to make it shut off for good before it gets too annoying.

A few episodes in, I check the time, seeing it was about 11:30 at night. I figured that if I could get at least six hours of sleep for work, I should be okay to function long enough for my shift.

Standing up, I turned off the TV, noticing the music was no longer playing.

It was then that I heard a thump coming from upstairs, catching my attention immediately as I looked up, wondering what it was. I decided to go upstairs to check it out, going in my room to see that one of my bottles of lotion fell off of my dresser.

I thought it was sitting in the middle of the dresser. I could be wrong, though.

The music started playing again.

It's fine, there's no demons. No such thing. It's just time intervals.

Glass shatters from downstairs, making me jump just a little at the sound.

Okay, I'm going crazy now that this whole demon thing is in my mind.

Walking downstairs to find the glass to clean up, I see it's one of the picture frames in the hallway. It had fallen off the wall and broke, but the glass looked as if it was punched in the center. It was odd, but it could've happened from impact, considering it was face down on the floor when I picked it up.

Finally getting all of the glass cleaned up, now being past midnight, I really needed some sleep to last through my shift tomorrow. I didn't even have time for a shower, now.

I went upstairs for the second time tonight, finally taking my pants and bra off as I got under the covers.

Silence filled the room as I cleared my mind, trying to fall asleep.