Carol was late, but Antonio was waiting for her. He sat on a bench in front of his apartment building. It was a school day, so there were far fewer children out than on the weekends and evenings. He held a large wooden box that was carved with intricate designs of dancing people. The box was predominantly blue with slashes of red and purple. The carvings were chaotic and gave the illusion of movement. Carol stared at the box as she sat down.
“Sorry, I’m late. You know the transit.”
“I know. But we are here now, so all is well.”
“You have news?”
“No, no news. Not about Lenore, at least. Maybe I have other news.”
“And what would that be?”
“It’s not a good thing. But it’s something we need to find out.”
Antonio opened the box. Carol looked inside at the red satin lining. Aside from what looked like a few bits of sawdust, it was empty.
“I’m not sure who else to tell about this, for, as you know, it takes a certain mindset to believe in such things. And another mindset to know about these things to begin with. And yet another mindset who knows what to do with all the information. “
“The intent is the endgame, is it not?”
“Not necessarily.”
“If you don’t know what you want, how do you know if you got it?”
“This isn’t that. Let me talk.”
Carol nodded and stared into the empty box.
“Is there supposed to be something in that box?”
“Yes. There is. I’m just trying to pull together how to describe it all without it taking three days.”
“So, did someone steal it?”
Antonio shook his head.
“I doubt it. I think it left on its own.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Well, you’ve heard of Pandora’s Box?”
“Who hasn’t? But that’s not Pandora’s Box…”
“No. Not at all. We’d all be dead if it was. No, this is something else, but kind of the same. The thing in the box has escaped. I need to find it.”
“Is that what attacked the goth kids?”
“I don’t know.”
“I was teasing. As if something you can hold in your hand could attack grown adults.”
Antonio shut the box. He drummed his fingers on it.
“The essence in the box can shapeshift.”
“You’re going to have to explain this a bit more to me.”
“There are many boxes and containers, carafes, and so on all around the world. There are caretakers of all types, all religions, all cultures, all around the world, caring for these…spirits? Essence? I’m at a loss how to describe it.”
“Antonio!” A girl ran up to Antonio, giggling.
“Hello, Emily. What can I do for you?”
“What do you have? Is it a present?” The girl pointed to the box.
“No. It’s empty, my sweet.” Antonio opened the box to show Emily. She nodded.
“It’s a pretty box. Can I play with it?” Emily asked.
“No. I need it. I have to put the contents back in. Why aren’t you in school?” he asked.
“School’s out for the day!” she shouted and danced. Antonio sighed. Several children were racing up the hill. Some had just come from the school bus that drove off in a plume of black smoke.
“Why don’t you go play with your brother?” Antonio said.
“Okay. But I hope the ice-cream lady comes by today,” Emily said.
“Oh, Emily. The ice-cream lady won’t be coming by for a while, I don’t think,” Antonio said.
“Yes, she will. We gave her the lucky charm so that she’ll always come back. “
Antonio frowned.
“What lucky charm?”
Emily put her hands over her mouth and giggled. She ran off. Antonio stood up to chase her.
“Emily, come back.”
Emily was gone behind the trees. Antonio sat back down.
“Lucky charm. Hmmm.”
“Did she mean what’s in that box?”
Antonio shook his head. “No. This box has no lucky charms. Not at all.”
“So, what are we looking for, and how do we know if we’ve found it? You said it was an essence? A shapeshifting essence. Do you mean a ghost or something like that?”
“Something like that. And we need to find it and put it back in the box.”
Carol nodded. “That doesn’t sound very easy.”