Letters in a Box

 I went to a local writer's group a couple weeks ago, and there were three prompts to write from. I chose the fiction prompt (shocker I know) where I had to write about a package/letter/box that arrived in the mail.

This is that story. Suffice to say I now have a plot bunny lurking on my brain. xD

***

Walter & Lisbeth Adler

2075 Silence Ln.

Dumonte, FL

 

    No return address.

    Walter started at the box. It was a reused Amazon box, the old label stripped off.

    “Should we open it?” the voice whispered through the screen door.

    “And release some poison into the house? Are you nuts?” Walter crouched as he eased the fire poker closer and jabbed lightly.

    Nothing.

    “What if it’s from Dad?”

    Walter bit back a sharp retort. But he jabbed the box a little harder.

    Nothing.

    “Just open it!” Lisbeth hissed. “I wanna see!”

    “We don’t know who sent it, Lissy.”

    “So?”

    “So it’s stupid to open it.” Walter flinched, waiting for the inevitable.

    “…I’m telling Gramma you said that word.”

    “Lissy—”

    “Unless you open the box!” Lisbeth pushed open the screen door. Walter glowered. Lisbeth swayed on her feet.

    Seven year olds were the worst.

    “Move,” Walter grumbled. Lisbeth scampered aside as Walter carefully carried the box inside to the table.

    “Is it heavy?” Lisbeth whispered.

    “No.” Walter gently shook it. Something small shff’ed inside.

    Walter turned to find the kitchen scissors and found them in his face.

    “Geez, Lisbeth!” He jerked back. “Point down!”

    Lisbeth corrected her grip, and Walter took them from her, still scowling. He turned back to the box. Carefully, he slid the top blade through the packing tape. He flinched when his grandma shouted awake his grandpa, when his snoring got louder than the movie.

    Neither seemed to notice his or Lisbeth’s absence. Probably wouldn’t for a while.

    “Come on!” Lisbeth hissed, bouncing on her tippy toes.

    Walter made the final slice, prayed he wasn’t about to murder what was left of his family, and opened the box.

    Both siblings peered inside.

    Two letters, each labeled with one word each.

    Before.

    After.