“My name. I heard someone whispering my name…” Ava tensed, hearing it again. “Ava…”She looked back toward the box, heart racing as she reached for it.

“You don’t hear that?” she asked again as her trembling hands grabbed some records and worked to uncover the container.

Kneeling beside her, Eleanor helped, moving more records off to the side. “I don’t hear anything…” she said.

“Something’s in that box,” said Ava as they cleared it.

She ripped the tape off the top, opened the flaps and peered inside.“Ava!”the voice called again, louder this time, causing her to flinch. As Ava shined her flashlight on the contents of the vessel, she gasped at what was inside.

“It’s a chest. With an old lock…” she exclaimed, turning to Eleanor.

Eleanor’s eyes widened. “Oh!”

Ava picked up the chest. It was heavier than it looked and made of rusted metal. “Let’s open it downstairs where we can see better.”

“Good idea,” Eleanor replied. “It’s creepy up here.”

Hurrying, the women exited the attic and walked downstairs, Ava carrying the chest and Eleanor the key. She set it on the dining room table with a thud and turned on the overhead lights, Luna taking her place near Ava’s feet. Eleanor stood across from her as she leaned forward and traced her fingers over the symbols. The chest was rusted, the symbols adorning it indiscernible, but they didn’t look familiar from what she could tell.

“What is this?” Ava whispered before reaching her hand out. “Hand me the key.”

“I don’t know… I have a bad feeling. I don’t think we should mess with it.” Eleanor’s voice was strained.

Ava looked at her, biting her lip. “I need to know.”

Sighing, Eleanor handed it over. “Be careful.”

Ava’s trembling hand inched forward as she fit the key into the keyhole. “Ready?”

“Ready,” Eleanor responded, voice barely audible.

Ava turned it and a click sounded as the latch was released inside. “Here goes nothing…” she whispered as she let go and lifted the lid.

Ava’s shoulders sagged as nothing happened, though Luna appeared restless, pacing between her legs. She chirped at Ava, encouraging her to look inside.

Both women inched forward, peering into the chest.

“What is it?” Eleanor asked.

“A book.”

They stared at each other in shock, remembering Henry’s words about spell books.

“Open it,” Eleanor urged, fear replaced by excitement.

Reaching inside, Ava lifted the tome from its hiding place. The moment her hands closed around its bindings, she felt a wave of nausea come over her and a sudden sense of falling, like she was being pulled down. The voice sounded again, louder than before.“Ava!”

Gasping, she dropped it onto the table and leaned forward, placing her hands on her knees. “Oh god,” she said.

Eleanor rushed to her side, placing a gentle hand on Ava’s back. “What? What is it? Are you okay?”

Ava took several deep breaths, allowing the nausea to ease before she stood straight again. “Yeah. I’m fine. I just… got a weird sensation.” She continued to steady her breathing. “Like I was falling… and I heard that voice again.” She looked at her friend. “I just realized I’ve heard it before. In my dreams.”

Eleanor’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah.” She turned back to the table. “Should we open it?”

“Should you really touch it again?”