Page 85 of Sebastian.

The elderly lady lets out a long sigh, her face falling a bit. “Oh dear, Amelia moved out just two days ago.”

A sharp disappointment settles inside me when she delivers the news, but I quickly ask, “Do you know where I can find her by any chance?”

“I’m afraid not. Amelia left without saying a word.” Her voice is as pleasant as her smile, and to my surprise, she then adds, “But, she left something for your grandmother.”

Curiosity bubbles inside me as she disappears briefly inside the house and returns with a carefully wrapped package which she hands to me. My intrigue intensifies as I hold the mysterious package in my hands—what could this all mean? And why did my grandmother send Johan with me on this adventure?

We bid the woman goodbye, and once she closes the door on us, Johan and I walk away, trying to find a private place to open the infamous package. The river murmurs close by, so we head that way, finding a small bench to sit. Perched by the tranquil River Avon, the parcel safely cradled in my lap, I can’t deny that I’m excited to see what’s inside. My desire to take and to keep rear their head, but I push them away. This is not the time for all of that.

“Go ahead,” Johan prods as he nudges me. “You should be the one to open it.”

“O-okay,” I breathe, not even sure why I’m nervous. As I fumble with the delicate wrapping, I notice Johan's gaze focused on my face, which sends a little shiver through me. He flashes a gentle smile, and I can't help but feel my cheeks burning.Girl, focus!

To my astonishment, under the wrappings is an antique music box. It’s exquisite enough to take my breath away. The hand-painted box, its colors still vivid despite its age, is nothing short of spectacular. It’s delicate but full of character, and it seems to be intact. I open the lid slowly, and a haunting, beautiful melody floats through the air around us, making my skin rise in goosebumps.

The tune from another era fills the air with an enchanting ambiance, and it makes the rest of the world seem to fade away. My gaze drifts to Johan, and I'm almost afraid to admit to myself how glad I am that he's here with me.

“This is so fascinating…” I say as I continue to observe the antique object, my fingers tracing over every little detail. I love collecting odd objects, and this one is definitely one of those I’d love to keep to myself. Beneath the box itself, I find a clasp under my touch. I turn the box upside down, and pulling the clasp, it unlocks the base of the box, allowing me to remove it. After removing the base completely, I put my fingers inside the box, finding not only the back of the musical mechanism, but also a folded note. My jaw drops once I unfold the paper, finding inside a message. The handwriting is elegant and sophisticated, leading me to believe it’s from Amelia herself. My curiosity burns brighter as I read her words, which reveal a cryptic tale of hidden circumstances that forced her into hiding.

“Margie, I knew you’ll come searching for me, but I’m afraid it isn’t yet the right time to meet.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

The right time and place shall come for us to be reunited again, I promise.

Until then, keep the music box safe for me. And remember our childhood melody, dear sister. It carries more weight than you might realize.”

What the heck? Oma Margaret has got a sister? How come she’s never told us about her? Does Mom even know? Maybe that’s why she wanted me to come here. A secret for a secret, I guess. Johan and I exchange glances, questions mirrored in each other's eyes.

“Now that is interesting,” Johan says as he peers over to re-read something in the note.

“What?”

He puts a finger under the second paragraph. “It’s a quote from Shakespeare.” Then pulling his iPhone out, he types something in it, before turning the screen towards me. “It’s from Twelfth Night, a play. This quote appears in a letter written by Maria who pretends to be Olivia to trick Malvolio in order for him to make a fool of himself which leads to his downfall.”

I frown, wondering what does it have anything to do with Amelia’s message. “And? Maybe she just wrote it because she wants to indicate that she’s working on something great.”

“Or maybe that quote has got another meaning, something linked to the trick Maria pulled on Malvolio.”

I huff at his observation. “I think you are reading too much into it. Amelia is just pointing out that she can’t meet Oma Margaret right now, but will once the time is right.”

“But why the random Shakespearean quote, then?” Johan insists.

I shrug, unable to give him a proper answer. “I don’t know, maybe Oma Margaret knows about it.”

Johan nods pensively, before asking, “Okay, maybe you should call her, then?”

His question gives me pause and I wonder if it’s appropriate calling Oma right now or not. But, after all, she told me to give her some update about my little errand once I was done. Decided, I pick up my iPhone, make the call, and put it on speakers once she answers the line.

“Oma?”

“Did you find her?” she asks instantly, the urgency evident in her tone. No time for greetings, I guess.

“Eh, well, she’s gone, unfortunately, but she left a music box along with a note for you.” I hold the phone in my hand, giving a few glances at Johan, who’s sitting beside me and listening just as eagerly.

“What does the note say?”

I read the letter out loud for Oma who once I finish, exhales loudly on the other side of the line.

---