"Robert's Journal"

Before Lacy received the mysterious package in "A Letter From Lacy", Robert discovered it first and the terrors that came along with it first.

“Robert’s Journal”

By Cody Williams

 

May 2^, 2011:

 

Dear journal,

 

The first day on the job. I am currently on a leave of absence from the Science Department at the University in search for…something. I don’t know exactly what, but something is here. I know it is. I felt drawn here. Told my friend Lucy just before I left to come here that I felt I needed to. She asked me why. Honestly, I don’t know what it was. It felt like a strong force was calling my name. It was not just I. It wanted me there too.

 

May 3, 2011:

 

Dear Journal,

 

The second day of the search. We began digging today. Something is telling me to dig exactly fifty feet from where the campsite ends. I began to lead the group out of the campsite. I walked fifty feet out and stopped. “Here” I said. “It must be here.” I said again. Several students I brought along with me questioned me. “How do you know there is something here?” they asked me. I really don’t know. But I knew there was. I can’t really describe the feeling. But it was like an invisible arm reached out and grabbed me by the pants leg thus showing me the way.

 

We marked the placed with a red X, got some shovels and began to dig. Nothing to report thus far. But I know it’s here. It has to be.

 

May 4, 2011:

 

Dear Journal,

 

As they say, third times the charm. We found what it must have been. The thing that was drawing me out there. As soon as I saw it, I dusted it off and held it close to my body. I don’t know what the hell the feeling was, it everything seems okay now. Everything seems just fine. Perfect in fact. I decided to wait to examine the box when I got back to my home laboratory.

 

I should be back home within the next couple of days. I’ll be sure to discover whatever I find. It might change the world!

 

May 6, 2011:

 

Dear Journal,

 

I just returned home. I went over to Lucy’s for my welcome back dinner. It was just a friendly dinner, you know? We are over that relationship stuff. Been there, done that. I stayed for several hours. I didn’t show her the box. I don’t know why. I felt this strange feeling that if I did show it to her, and she wanted to see it, I would become jealous. I know it sounds silly, but whatever is in that box is meant for me. It is mine and mine alone.

 

Anyway, I carried the box into the kitchen and placed it on the counter to wash it. After I cleaned the dust off of it, I noticed the words written in gold DO NOT OPEN THIS BOX. I thought it was clearly fascinating if not somewhat terrifying. I put the box under my arm and carried it down to the basement where my home laboratory was.

 

I’ll be sure to check it out in the morning. I’m just too Goddamn tired to take care of it tonight.

 

May 7, 2011:

 

Dear Journal,

 

This will be my last Journal entry. I finally got around to it today. I pried that damn box right open…only now, I wish I hadn’t. You see, there was a reason that it was written DO NOT OPEN THIS BOX. I got it totally wrong. What was in there was not meant for me. It was not meant for anybody!

 

After I pried the box open, I looked into it. The inner liner was filled with some sort of red velvet fabric. At the bottom of the box was nothing but a piece of index paper that read:

 

WHOEVER HAS OPENED THIS BOX HAS GIVEN INTO THE WEAK TEMPATION OF MAN. YOUR PUNISHMENT WILL BE A SHORTENED LIFE. FOR EVERY HOUR YOU LIVE ON THIS EARTH YOU WILL AGE FIVE YEARS.

 

When I first saw it I kind of shrugged it off as if it was nothing. But boy was I wrong. Oh man, was I wrong. I feel like I am going to die at any moment. I started the day in my late thirties with soft wavy brown hair. Now I am baled wrinkly and sick. I’m doing the only thing I know to do. I’m going to mail a letter to my good friend and fellow Scientist Lacy Woodside along with the box. The friend I spoke of earlier. That is if I make it to the damn post office. She’s the only person I can trust to keep the box safe. She’s the only one I can trust who will believe me.

 

As to any one else who finds this journal, if I don’t make it, which is a very distinct possibility, please mail the box and letter to Lacy. Consider it a dying man’s wish. But whatever you do, please for the love of God, DO NOT OPEN THAT BOX!!! You will regret it!

Copyright 2013 by Cody Williams

Courtesy of TRUE TERROR PUBLICATIONS

A division of TTP Entertainment

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Author's Note

Ask and you shall receive. This is a prequel to the second short story I published on this website "A Letter From Lacy." I could serve as a stand alone, but I would advise you to read "A Letter From Lacy" first. You could read them in either order, but I recommend reading the previous story first.

I hope you guys enjoy it and please leave comments. I hope it explains the situation more that the first one and I hope it is a much better write. Thanks for reading it.

-CW

Reviews

[M. L. Zane]

I'll be quick and blunt like I usually am. I think you're onto something with this style of writing. Standard prose is all fine and good, but your style is quick and immediate. In a journal or diary setting like in this work, you essentially eliminated some things you consistently struggle with. Because of it being in a diary, the pacing is perfect. We aren't there, but we're FINDING things after they've already happened. By placing it in the past as opposed to the present, it gives you a strong tool to work with, and it suits your style nicely.

I rated this story higher because I need to stress that this is something you need to continue experimenting with. Every writer has a niche, and using journals and an aspect of discovery as a methodology for telling a story might just be yours. It is unique, rarely done, and will set you apart from other writers. Setting yourself apart is the key to success.

Do more work in this style, Cody. I wager you won't be disappointed.

Regards,
-M. L. Zane

[Cody Williams]

Thanks for reading ML!

-CW

[M. L. Zane]

If you ask, I read. Though you've given me a bit of a backlog.

[Cody Williams]

Sorry about the massive output. I write everyday and I am currently on break from school giving me even more time to write. I'm hammering out one sometimes even two or three stories a day.

[M. L. Zane]

I don't mind. My progress is just slower with a to-do list. It will all get done eventually, though I regret it cannot be sooner. Still, I try to put out a review or two a day. It's an odd balance meeting new writers and maintaining rapport with the ones I already know.

[Craig2591]

Another story with a Twilight Zone feel to it. I like the journal entry style. Good story.

[Cody Williams]

Thanks for reading Craig!

-CW

[Bob Sherunkle]

Great write CW,enjoyed it immensely.

[Cody Williams]

Thanks again for reading Bob!

-CW

[sonnie ibadah]

nice work! very creative!

[Cody Williams]

Thank you!

-CW

[FlatLineBeauty]

I find this little story very creative and I enjoyed it very much Cody. xo Winter

[Cody Williams]

Thanks for reading Winter!

-CW

[Riding the Rainbow]

liked this prequel!! well done!

[Cody Williams]

Thanks so much for reading!

-CW

[Michael Stevens]

A fine Twilight Zoney connection!

[Cody Williams]

Thanks for reading Michael!

-CW

[icelandicblue]

I really liked the journal entry format. You always know you're in trouble when you're on leave from the science department. I would have loved to know did you have time to hide the box again and what the purpose of taking your youth filled. A pandora's box of questions I still have...a sequel perhaps?

[Cody Williams]

The main porpoise of writing this story was to answer questions that were asked about Robert and the box after I posted "A Letter From Lacy". This is the prequel. This story takes place two years before the events in "A Letter From Lacy." I have been thinking of doing a second prequel that would take place after "Robert's Journal" but before "A Letter From Lacy."

Thanks again for reading.

-CW

[Dayran]

Temptation ... that's one thing ... but digging in a random place on account of a hunch ... that was the start obviously. It points to a blind search for something ... we're not quite sure what ... but figure we'll know when we get there. Is there any other way?

[Cody Williams]

Thanks for reading Dayran!

-CW

[Sami Khalil]

I like your style of writing in all your other stories but that is just preference. Still this was good as usual...But I do like your stories that are packed with mystery and murder and stuff like that or the imaginative ones about aliens...Bravo...........

[Cody Williams]

Thanks for reading Sami! Have a good one!

-CW

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:).....................