Antique music box

         

                               Chat Short Story

Chat Log:

Two friends log into their own chat log channel to discuss an antique music box that has been passed down through generations. They say that the box is cursed and carries the souls of every family member who has passed on, but one rule is to never engage with the box because you can be tricked into giving your soul away to the evil Gin that lives within the walls of the box. 

Anna: Hey, did you ever learn more about the music box your mother left you?

Jake: Uh, not really... My mom told me she got it from her mother, so it has been in the family for a long time. I find it very creepy, though. 

Anna: Really? What makes it creepy?

Jake: The box sits on my dresser untouched, and around 3 AM, it will start playing a lullaby. 

Anna: Wow! Really? I think you should consult with someone knowledgeable about this subject. 

Jake: The lullaby gets stuck in your head. 

Anna: I mean, that sounds just creepy. Did you wind it up and then forget?

Jake: Hell naw, look, I need my beauty sleep. I can't be walking around like a zombie.

Anna: Beauty sleep? Okay 🤣

Jake: Anyway...let me finish. I checked on the music box, and the switch was turned off. As I went to put it down, I could feel the coldness of a hand or something holding mine. 

Anna: What? Okay, you had your fun, but now I think you should consider getting rid of that thing. 

Jake: I think my mom is trying to reach me somehow. 

Anna: Huh? Jake, are you being for real? Like you inherited an antique music box that moves when you don’t want it to, and it's making you sound insane. Also, not to mention you felt a cold hand. I am pretty sure your mom would not mind getting rid of a cursed music box. 

Anna's lights started to flicker as she kept talking about the box, and all of a sudden, everything went black.  

Jake: Anna? Are you okay? Anna!?

Anna: Yeah, I have to go check the fuse box or something. 

Jake: Oh, okay, I will wait here, or I can call you if you would like? 

Anna: Jake, that’s creepy! You have to get rid of it!

Jake: I can’t. It feels... connected to me. 

Anna: That’s dangerous, though! 

Jake: I know. But when I think about giving it away, I hear the lullaby again. It’s like it’s calling me.

Anna: 😟 Please be careful. 

Jake: I will. But… I’m going to open it tonight. 

Anna: NO! Jake, please don’t!

Jake: Too late. The music is starting... 

Anna: What music? 

Jake: The lullaby... It’s playing. 

Anna: Are you serious?

Jake: Yeah. It’s getting louder. 

Anna: You need to stop it!

Jake: I can’t! It won’t stop... 

Anna: Jake? Are you there? 

Jake: I think I see something in the shadows...

Anna: What do you mean? 

Jake: It looks like my mom. 

Anna: What?! 

Jake: She’s smiling. 

Anna: Get away from it!

Jake: It’s too late, Anna. She’s here. 

Anna: Jake?? Stop it; it is not real!!

Jake: She wants me to play… 

Anna: JAKE! 

Jake: I have to go now. 

Anna: JAKE! DON’T! 

*[Chat ends abruptly and lights come back on.]*