There was a short, eerie silence after the springs of the fold-out stairs to the attic had rested into their open position. The silence was broken by a very audible swallow from Stephen.
"Did you just swallow a golf ball?"
"Heh. Certainly felt like it," Stephen responded with a raised eyebrow, turning to look up at her.
"Are you ready, Mr. Wizard?" she asked with a slight nudge of her elbow into his upper arm.
Stephen took a deep breath as he looked back up the steep stairs and into the dusty darkness. The glare on his glasses hid what his eyes were expressing; deep fear. He did not feel confident, but he felt pressured. "I guess so." He tried to pretend to be his character and muster some courage as he turned on his emergency radio flashlight, and it's not one of the cheap ones.
He hadn't paused for long, but Stephenie was growing impatient. She still had a lot to do to prepare for the party. "You know what? I'll go first."
Stephen shot her a nasty look. "No, let me." He then walked with gusto and switched the flashlight to his left hand so that he could grab the rail.
Stephenie laughed to herself. She doesn't pretend to know what it means to be a man in today's world, but for his sensitive emotional sake, she lets him figure it out. She also knows that most people don't learn until they make the mistake themselves. She then made sure to grab her phone before following him. She shook it to turn on the flashlight as she neared the top. "Eww, what is that smell?"
Stephen was in awe of all the things in the attic, but managed to answer her as she had entered and was standing next to him, "I think it's mothballs."
Stephenie wrinkled her nose and shot him a confused look that was ignored. "Are you trying to tell me that moths have balls and they smell bad?"
Stephen giggled. "No. They're little balls of a solid pesticide to keep moths and other bugs from eating your clothes. A lot of people don't use them anymore."
"Jeez, you're such a know-it-all."
He huffed at that. "Knowing is the best way to overcome fear."
"Hmh, I suppose you're right." She sort of trailed off as she was finally taking in the scope of the semi-organized clutter left over from a previous tenant, and by the look of things, it must have been the first one. There were plenty of dust-filled cobwebs, but the ornate detailing on the uncovered furniture seemed quite old-fashioned.
There was another short, eerie silence before Stephenie mentioned the light switch dangling from an exposed light bulb that was hanging from a rafter. Stephen turned on the light, and although it was old and dim, it was enough light in the cramped architecture of the attic. Stephenie wandered toward a tall wardrobe while Stephen was attracted to a desk that had a rolling cover.
He was amazed to see it still full of letters, papers, and writing implements. It was all old-fashioned and full of cobwebs, but he took a moment to admire the extravagance of the antiques. Something he often wishes would make a return. Not just the intricate detail, but the dedication to the work. A passion he hopes to have when it comes time for his career. Something that he is now being pressured to figure out as he enters high school.
As he turned away to look at other things, he began to wonder how they were able to get these big pieces of furniture up here. His grandfather had had a similar desk, and so he knew that the top piece could be removed, but the wardrobe that Stephenie had opened was easily too big for the opening through which they had entered. He gave Stephenie a smirk as she displayed the old marching band jacket she was wearing before turning his attention back to something that was covered in the far corner that had piqued his curiosity when he turned on the light.
"Oh, my gosh! Stephen, look at this."
Stephen stopped in his tracks and his eyes lit up when he saw what it is. Stephenie was holding up a forest green evening gown that had sequins making a mosaic of a bouquet of roses sprawling along the left side of the torso. "That's really pretty."
"Really, that's all you have to say? This fabric feels so soft and silky. You have to come feel this."
Stephen sighed a little, but was curious to feel the fabric. "It probably is silk." he stated as he grabbed the waist and rubbed it between his fingers. It felt almost like liquid it was so silky. It was then that they both heard the mechanical clicking noises again, only this time, it was quite loud. They both whipped their heads toward the sound and Stephen got a chill as he realized it was the covered object in the corner that he had intended to investigate.
Stephen felt a bit paralyzed, but Stephenie was ready to get this over with and began walking toward it. "Wait," Stephen interrupted. He went to say more, but Stephenie cut him off.
"Wait for what? It's probably just some old-timey clock, and all I want to do is turn it off so that we can get on with our lives."
Stephen felt a bit of panic, but he also felt like she was probably right and followed her over to it. There was a short moment of suspense as she had grabbed the sheet and paused a moment before pulling it off. They both stared in wonderment at the curious piece of furniture.
Stephenie broke the silence. "What do you think it is?"
To Stephen it looked like a lockbox, but he had never seen one with a combination lock as there were several dial-like protrusions all around the cube-shaped wooden box that sat upon a short square coffee table. The one on the front in the center was much larger than the others, but none of them had dial marks or numbers along the rim. "I don't know. It looks like some kind of lockbox, or maybe an old curio. I've never seen one with a combination lock, though."
"Ooh, I bet there's treasure inside, like old jewelry or cash. Why don't you try getting it open. I'm going to go finish prepping for the party, okay?"
He still had a bit of nerves tickling his fears, however, puzzles are his thing, and he was now determined to get it open. "Sure, Steph."
Stephenie turned to leave just as he was kneeling down and began to turn the large dial. It turned both ways, but it didn't feel like a combination lock dial. He went to try one of the other dials when the lid suddenly popped open with a loud mechanical thump from inside the box. He let out a gasp and fell back onto his butt.
Stephenie stopped in her tracks. "Are you okay? What was that?"
Stephen picked himself up before answering, "The lid opened a little."
Stephenie quickly went back over and could see how the lid was now ajar and dust still settled from the sudden movement. She stared in awe as Stephen pushed open the lid to reveal an envelope. A chill ran through her spine as he picked it up to reveal that it was addressed to them: Stephen & Stephenie.