Scattered Souls

Chapter 28 - Beauty Sleep

After I was done reminiscing and Xypher made a show(in no way am I exaggerating on this one - he literally plopped down on Gran's rocking chair, of all things, and he was on the brink of falling asleep at any given moment now) of how exhausted he was from our short hike, I started to look in Gran's room. I figured anything of value would have to be there. That's the obvious place for one's valuables to be kept after all.

However, after searching through almost the entire room, I was reconsidering my initial theory as I had no luck with finding another diary, nor the heart shaped locket that Xypher wanted.

Finally, I'd reached the last and tiniest wardrobe right at the corner of the room. I gave a long sigh as I opened it, I'd have to start searching the rest of the house if I didn't find anything in here.

I went through some of Gran's old, yet fancy outfits, that she'd probably used in her younger days. I made a mental note to add some of these exquisite pieces to my closet.

Just as I was about to give up, I noticed that there was a little key hole at the back of the wardrobe, which appeared to be part of a tiny door. I'm assuming that had to be the safe. If it contained valuables like jewelry then the locket would have to be inside.

"I could use some of your help." I called out, hoping I was loud enough to wake up Xypher from his beloved beauty sleep."I think I've found something." I added for good measure, figuring that would get him moving.

I grinned to myself as I heard his footsteps in the hallway.

"What did you find?" he asked, rubbing one of his eyes and looking adorably groggy.

"I think it's Gran's safe." I mentioned. "Do you have any ideas on how to open it?" I asked.

"With a key?" he said as though it was the most obvious thing on the planet.

"Well, I don't have the key." I pointed out. "And if I start asking for the key to Gran's safe dad is going to become suspicious if I don't have a good reason why."

"Ah, well if you're asking me for a way to break into it, then I'm sorry, I won't be of much help." he said.

"Perhaps you can help me look for the key then. If you're done being lazy of course. " I was becoming a bit annoyed at how lackadaisical he was about this whole thing. If there was one thing that annoyed me the most: it had to be lazy people. And he seemed to be pushing all the wrong buttons today.

"Let's start in the lounge, shall we." I said, before he had an opportunity to object.

I was standing on a stool, looking up on some of the shelves on the wall to see if perhaps the key was on one of them, when suddenly I could feel Xypher wrapping his arms around me from behind. His lips were grazing against the exposed skin of my hip. I moaned as he gently bit down on it. I turned towards him and he helped me down.

Immediately, his lips crashed into mine. This wasn't slow burning desire anymore, this was rapidly increasing passion, that was so intense I could feel it reverberating through me.

"You're distracting me." I moaned out.

"A welcome distraction though, aren't I love?" I could feel the smirk on his lips as he continued kissing me. His hands freely roaming and exploring every inch of my body. With my hands shamelessly exploring every inch of his body on their own accord.

As I opened my eyes, eager to remove his T-shirt once again, something shiny caught my eye.

"That must be it." I beamed, while he was looking confused as hell.

I moved closer to the shelf behind him, and upon closer inspection, I discovered it was a key.

"It has to be the key for the safe." I declared excitedly.

"Or it could be a key for something else." he pointed out.

"Don't be such a debbie downer." I teased. "Did you lose your optimism in the teapot." I asked, without thinking. Immediately regretting it when I saw the disheartened look on his face.

"I lost a lot of things in that teapot." he said, looking down dejectedly.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking. I just meant it playfully." I declared, squeezing his hand to reassure him.

"Let's go see if this opens up the safe." I tried to change the subject, holding up the key in my hand and leading him towards the bedroom.

"Oh my word, how lucky can we get? It is the key for the safe." I said excitedly, realizing the key fit perfectly, as I unlocked it.

Although, I was hopeful, I was also realistic in the sense that the key could have really been for anything else in the house. It was definitely a stroke of luck that it ended up being the one for the safe.

"I suppose your optimism has paid off, love." Xypher acknowledged, not sounding the least bit excited.

I rolled my eyes as I opened the door of the safe, there was a bit of cash and a black and gold jewelry box as well. One that complimented the music box on my dresser. Perhaps it was part of a set. It was also one of those striking pieces, I set it down carefully on the pedestal next to us. Far too afraid to break or damage it with my clumsy hands.

I double checked to make sure there was nothing else in safe, before I opened the jewelry box. There was a few pairs of earrings, a bracelet... And then right at the bottom, there was a heart shaped locket, just like Xypher had described.

"Look at what we have here." I said while holding it up in front of him.

This caused his eyes to light up, he was staring at the locket almost as if he were in a trance.