When Alaric returned home after a day that had left him both exhilarated and confused, he found his mother waiting for him in the kitchen, her expression curious. "Alaric," she called out as he stepped inside, "there's a package for you. It was left on the doorstep, but there's no name or return address on it."
Alaric's brow furrowed in thought as he approached the kitchen counter where the package sat. It was an unremarkable box, plain and unassuming, yet it radiated an air of mystery that made his pulse quicken. The lack of any identifying information was odd, and it set his instincts on edge.
"Did you see who left it?" Alaric asked, picking up the package and examining it closely.
His mother shook her head. "No, it was just there when I went to get the mail. I didn't think much of it at first, but now… I don't know, something about it feels strange."
