Grandma's Spirit Box

I never met my mom. Apparently my mother didn’t want to give up her life of partying and fun, so she ran away after I was born.

I lived with my grandma. One Sunday, she went out for some errands and left me alone at the house. It was a big old house full of antiques.

My friend AJ was coming over later. I was excited. Everyone at school thought he was weird, but I liked him.

I was going through my toys when I remembered something. In my grandma’s closet, there was a pretty music box with silver decorations lining the outside.

It seemed like the kind of thing AJ would enjoy, so I went to get it.

I climbed up and grabbed it off the top shelf. When I opened it, I was suddenly blinded by a bright light. A ringing noise swelled in my ears.

When my senses came back, I was in a dimly lit room.

Then a voice spoke from the corner.

“Is that you, my baby?”

“Mom?”

My mother emerged. She looked older, but I knew it was her.

“Come here, sweetie!”

I ran to her, and we embraced.

“I’ve missed you, dear. I think about you every day. Your grandmother, she trapped me in this box. It keeps her youthful and healthy while I rot in here.”

“I love you, mom.”

“I know, baby. Here, I want to show you something. Go get that book off the table for me.”

I turned toward the table, but before I could get there I felt something strike me in the back.

I fell down. When I turned around, I saw my mother standing above me with a crowbar.

“Sorry, kid, but only one of us can leave, and I’ve already spent too much of my life in this fucking thing.”

With a flash of light she vanished out the door.

Hot tears rolled down my face. I was stunned. My own mother left me to spend my life alone in my grandma’s cursed box. My bloodline was pure evil.

A few minutes later, there was another bright flash. My mother reappeared, her arms and legs bound by vines.

“Baby, please get me out of here. I didn’t mean what I said earlier. I can explain. Just let me go.”

“Goodbye, mom.” And I walked out the door.

I was transported back to my grandma’s house. AJ stood there holding the box.

“Sorry if I’m intruding. I came over and nobody was here. Then I saw a lady come out of this spirit box, so I used a hex to put her back in.”

“You did WHAT?”

“I… uh… I guess I should have told you that my family does magic. I just didn’t want you to think I was weird.”

“AJ, you’re the best friend in the history of friends.” I gave him a hug. “Now, I think I’m going to need more help since I just found out my entire family is evil.”