The Box

Author's Note: This was another response to Jekyll and Hyde. The one element that really stood out to me was curiosity. Everybody has curiosity and we, humans, would often do anything to know. Sometimes not knowing something eats us alive. We crave knowledge. I also liked the idea of human's having to sides and with the consciences it shows that both good and evil side of man. This is the quote that inspired me to write about 'The Box'.: "...so that to my interest in the man's nature and character, there was added a curiosity as to his origin, his life, his fortune and status in the world." 

The Box

I stepped into a room. I saw a man; he had ripped clothes-too big for him- a black beard that smothered his face, and a stench- I would rather smell a dead body. His back was hunched and he limped as his weak body exited the room. He stopped right next to me. His head turned slowly and jerky like rust lied on his neck trying to break free. His cold, dark eyes glared into mine. Bitter and cold, chills ran down my spine. For that moment, there was no hope, no sense of purity, and no sense of benevolence in the room. He spoke. With his cold scratchy voice, he said, “Whatever you do, do not open the box.” As he left, I could feel the evilness disappear. I looked across the room to see a dim light hovering over a small brown box.

            I raised my eyebrow in confusion. What was in that box that was so important to that man? I walked slyly across the room toward the package. I heard a voice. I stopped in fear; pure horror ran through my body. “Don’t do it” one voice said. “Do it, open the box,” another voice replied. I looked to my right to find "me" on my right shoulder. She was dressed in a beautiful white dress. Her hair, makeup- everything was perfect. She said, “Don’t open the box. The man said not to. You would feel guilty if you did.” I nodded in consideration and agreement. I looked to my left to find me again. This time it was the total opposite. She was wearing black everything. Her hair, makeup- everything was imperfect. “Do it. What’s the harm? It’s just a box. Don’t you want to know what’s in it?” My hands were rubbing together in desperation. I started to lick my lips; I was desperate to know what was inside. My right shoulder self said, “Don’t do it. You know it’s wrong!” My left shoulder self said, “Do it. You know you want to.” My head moving back and forth made my head spin.

My right shoulder self said, “Don’t!”

My left shoulder self said, “Do it!

“Don’t!”

“Do it!”

“Don’t!”

“Do it!”

            Every second I spent looking at the box, I got closer to opening it. My curiosity was exceeding. I said aloud, “ENOUGH! I will make the decision myself.” Silence filled the room. My conscious disappeared. I was on my own. Thinking back and forth between should I do it or should I not, I find myself approaching closer and closer to the box. I closed my eyes hoping that this situation was all a dream. I opened them. The box was standing right before me. My hand reached for the lid. I hesitated. I reached for it again in reassurance. I could not do it. I backed away. The thoughts reappeared back into my mind- all the possibilities of what could be inside. I could not take it anymore; I needed to know what was inside. I craved the knowledge; I would do anything to know. Just out of instinct I opened the box. O, how I regretted it.