Short Stories

Taking what's mine

It all started when I opened my eyes and found myself inside a casket. Why was I there? I tried to remember the past few days, but my mind was blank. I had no idea of who I was or how I ended up in the situation I was currently in. I could remember one thing, and that was my painting. I remember it being the most important thing to me, don't know why, it just was, my beautiful and precious painting, my most valuable possession. So, the plan was simple; I had to recover that painting no matter what.

As I laid there, with my nose three millimeters away from the cold wood, I realized I had no trouble breathing. "I reckon I'm not underground... and for some reason, this casket is not fully closed either..." I mumbled to myself as I tried to investigate in that very confined space. But despite the box not being completely shut, getting out of that casket was difficult. After using all my energy to kick it open, I noticed these robust and armed men looked at me as if I were some supernatural creature when I was just a man who fell asleep in a strong wooden box... They screamed as they ran away from me, talking into their small black boxes with tiny buttons and flashing lights.

"CODE GREY! I REPEAT, CODE GREY! HE IS ON THE LOSE! WE NEED BACK UP!"

Who knew that people could make themselves small enough to fit into those tiny boxes? That was impressive! I took advantage of their fear and ran away but in the opposite direction, because getting caught would ruin my entire operation. As I kept on running for my life, I passed by thousands of people who had the same expression on their faces as those strong guards I left behind. I rubbed my face, thinking it was something about my appearance. But it didn't seem to work, as not one single person looked at me like if I were an ordinary human being.

I stopped running when I saw a big sign pointing me to a museum. I would have kept on running, but the sign had a small version of my masterpiece on it, so I knew this was where my masterpiece was being displayed at. Those bastards. Why would they keep my painting on display all the time? It was about time I took it back. Excitement filling the entire room, I ran towards my painting, which was being guarded by more muscular men in blue suits. I used the little fighting skills I had to get to it before they could do something about it.

"AHA! MY BEAUTIFUL LADY! FINALLY BACK IN MY ARMS!" I rejoiced as I grabbed my work of art and fell in love with it all over again. I would've stayed longer in that precious reunion, but I had to run for my life once again.

With my gorgeous lady on my arms, I passed a big window with hundreds of light boxes. Inside of them, there was a blonde woman behind a desk, who didn't seem to be concerned about being trapped in a small box. I wanted to help her, or even hear her out, but those men... they were extremely fast. While running away, I only heard her say a few words.

"Another dead celebrity came back for their creations. Just as predicted, this week we have Leonardo Da Vinci stealing the Mona Lisa from the Louvre Museum! Stay inside as the authorities have confirmed the artist is violent and dangerous. Specialists predicted that Hitler is coming to finish what he started sometime next week. Stay tuned for more information. "