Scattered Souls

Chapter 3 - Illumination Station

I felt as if I was in a world of darkness, just walking around aimlessly, for what felt like an eternity. I was weak and drained out. Eventually, I gathered the strength to open up my eyes. I was curled up on the floor of my room and I had no recollection of how I'd gotten here. The last thing I could remember was attempting to close the music box.

"Honey, dinner is ready" came mom's voice with a knock on the door. Okay so I couldn't have been out for that long.

A weak "I'll be down soon" is all I could manage.

I felt like I had to literally drag myself to the dinner table.

"Are you feeling ill, sweetheart?" the concern in mom's voice was evident.

"Not really, I'm just super exhausted."

"Has to be all that shopping." Dad teased.

All I could manage was a weak smile in response. Even my enthusiasm while eating mom's signature cottage pie was drastically toned down.

I helped mom clean up after dinner and I dragged myself back to my room, ready to let sleep engulf me. However, my curiosity got the best of me. I knew I wouldn't be able to fall asleep until I took another look at the music box. When I opened it, the familiar tune of Amazing Grace boomed out of it instead of Strange Enchantment like I was anticipating. I was so sure I heard that tune earlier on and it was as if I could clearly remember walking towards the music box to close it for that very same reason. Perhaps I could have been dreaming? But then how do I explain waking up on the floor? Once again I was left with so many questions.

I decided to head into the shower: the best place when my mind was troubled. In my opinion there was definitely something therapeutic about moderately hot water hitting against your skin.

The shower was only able to calm my mind and quench my curious thoughts to a certain extent - just enough for me to decide that I'd continue with my theories the next day. I was far too tired. 

As I stepped out of the shower to dry myself off, the tune of Strange Enchantment flooded my room again. I rushed out of my bathroom, towards the dresser, eager to uncover the reason behind this occurrence. I knew I couldn't have been dreaming,however, I was secretly hoping it was simply a product defect considering how ancient this item must be.

As I reached my dresser,  I was careful not to touch the teapot this time. The top was open and it was illuminated - the brightness of the light completely blocking out the dancing figurines that I knew were there.

The blaring tune stopped after a few minutes but the teapot was still illuminated, as I stood in awe, too scared to touch it in fear of passing out again and missing out on the opportunity to uncover the mystery surrounding this gift.

The cryptic note, along with the music box randomly playing the Strange Enchantment tune, and now being illuminated like this only confirmed that there was more to this gift than simply being a part of my inheritance. What else was I inheriting along with this gift?