Pandora's Box

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Intro: A group of people are in charge of guarding Pandora's Box, but when the lights flicker, and the box comes up missing and a guard is dead. Who is the mystery killer holding the most dangerous weapon in their hands?

The most dangerous box in the world from Greek mythology is held locked away at Area 51. My name is Kat and I am one of the guards who watches Pandora's box for the night shift. There are usually four other people who stand guard as well. Ash, Cooper, Taylor and newbie Jake. We have sworn our lives to protect this box at all times. Other countries want it to cause wars and seize power over other leaders. Even worse, the person opening the box will eventually become insane and then aim to destroy the whole world.

I wanted to destroy the box when we found it but the government always wants to play with dangerous things. I clock in and I meet the others in the conference room. Ash and Cooper were like jock brothers. They never stopped talking to each other. It was annoying sometimes especially when they talked about women like they were toys. I greet Taylor and she smiles at me. Taylor was cool to be around, she was a good worker and never questioned my lead. It was shocking, considering she is a twenty-four-seven party girl. 

Then there was newbie Jake. He mostly kept to himself and only came to work to do his job and go home. Which I didn’t have a problem with but Ash and Cooper liked to pick on him. I watch him clean his glasses while reading a file. I was mostly the one who carried the files in, so what was he reading? I wave at him and he quickly closes the file. I would question him but I was not in the mood. I sit at the head of the table and our usual coffee guy (Tim) brings in our coffee. I thank him and he winks as he leaves the room, I smell his citrus body oils which always smelled nice on him.

“Alright everyone gather around.” I spoke. Before I could say a word I heard Taylor's phone ring. She quickly ends it but then her notifications go off like crazy. I allow her to take it, but she rejects and turns her phone off. I peer over to my right and see Ash and Cooper secretly whispering to each other and then fist bumping. Everybody was acting odd today, which wasn’t a good sign. In this company, we may work together but I trusted no one.

Pandora’s box was worth millions if one of us betrayed the government. That money is only guaranteed if we can make it out of here alive.

“So, tonight is another night of watching the box and since Ash had his break first yesterday, Jake you will be first today. Now let's get to work!” I commanded. They all nod and as I was leaving I saw Jake linger in the office. We enter the chamber as the midday crew leaves. “Alright coffee do your thing.” I mumbled as the doors close. We stand for hours watching a box, while the camera crew watches us on camera. It’s almost close to ten o’clock, and the camera crew has not flashed the lights so Jake could go on break. I call them on my walkie, but no answer.

“Breaker 1 this is P.Guards 3, do you copy?” I spoke. The crew gathers around with worry. The lights go out and the emergency red lights come on.

“Ah!!!” Taylor screams. I turn around and my heart sinks.

“Cooper!” He was lying on the floor with blood leaking out. I looked around his body and saw no bullet holes. It was like the blood was leaving his body on its own. Ash scoops him in his arms and listens for a heartbeat. 

“He’s dead…” he cried. I look at the camera and wave my hands. Still the door would not open for us. “Uh guys?” Jake points over to the stand and the box is gone.

“What the hell?!” I checked the table and it was gone. I looked around and saw everything was in place. How did the box leave the room? “I know we need to get out of here for Cooper but I need all of you to strip your pockets and armor!” I yell. They all look at me with hurt but since this evening they were all acting weird.

“Fuck that! We need to see if we can save Cooper!” Ash countered. He was already dead by his words so why try to save a corpse? Unless, you are trying to leave the room for something else. Someone in here has the box, so if they want to play then lets play. I walk over to the door and enter the emergency code. The door opened and it wasn’t just our room with no power, it was the whole sector. 

“Everyone stays together, and Ash keeps Cooper close to…” I stop talking when Ash’s ears begin to bleed. He collapses to the floor. Taylor tries to touch him but we stop her.

“Ash only got infected when touching Cooper. It’s best not to touch him.” Jake informed. I nod and we all make our way to the camera room. 

“What the actual HELL!” I screamed. Blood was everywhere as the two camera men were on the floor. We reveal our weapons and search the room. I tell Taylor to check the cameras. She walks over and searches the timeline of when the lights went out. Jake and I look around the room and like before everything was normal. Nothing around but their two cups of coffee and one officer was eating some oranges. Without touching them, I kicked one officer over and his nametag read ‘Roger’. My eyes go wide as I look at his plate of fruit. I touched the fruit and before it was completely peeled, the aroma fragrance was strong. Almost like…Crash!

We turn towards the door and see a figure run past. We run after him, while Taylor continues to search. We round the corner and they are gone. I see a nearby vent hanging open. It explains how the intruder got in but how could he get into our room? It has no vents. We return to the room and Taylor shows us the footage. 

“After the lights went out the footage was wiped. All I found was this…” I looked at the video and saw Jake take a step back once the lights began to flicker. I look at him and he holds his hands up. 

“Why were you walking closer to the box when the lights went out? Do you have the box on you?!” I stated. 

“No!” he cried. I point my weapon at him and I command him to strip. He nods and I see nothing is on him. This is a mystery, I didn’t like playing. I apologize for my actions and then Taylor tells us to look. We looked at the screen and I couldn’t believe my eyes. 

“It turns out under a red light, it makes the box look invisible.” she explained. This meant…

“Fuck! Back to the room now!” I screamed. We all run back to the room and we see the figure trying to swipe the box. He was wearing all black and a mask, so we didn’t know who this person was. We point our weapons and he freezes.

“Freeze…uh AH!” I peered at Taylor and saw her mouth was bleeding. Her eyes begin to swell with blood and she collapses on the floor. She never touched any of the bodies, so why is she dead? The figure tries to move and Jake shoots at him. 

“That was a warning shot.” he said. He reveals his other gun aims it towards the box. “It’s time we destroy this thing once and for all. I’ve been reading up on some loss files and if we aim for the center plate on the box, the whole thing will shatter.” he explained. The figure looks at me and decides to charge for it.

“Dumbass!”. Pow! Jake falls to the ground as blood bleeds from his head. 

“Great shot dear.” He removes his mask and Tim pushes his hair back.

“Yeah, no thanks to you. I told you to poison all the coffees. Why was Jake still up and running…and oh, what were you thinking putting oranges in the room with Roger?! He is allergic. Or do you not remember our torturous seven years here?” I screamed.

“Well, I had to hide my scent somehow. I put on too much oil this morning. As for Jake, I gave him coffee, but he was too busy reading to drink a decent cup.” Tim explained. I roll my eyes while swiping the box.

“Let’s just sell this thing and live on a private island as the end of the world happens. Let’s go.”

            Like I said, in order to gain millions, you must have a plan to make it out alive. Luckily no one ever suspects coffee. I smile as we walk out of the base in silence because everyone needed coffee that night. Haha!

Support fellow Indie Authors by checking out my side panel full of links to FREE erotic, romance, and thriller stories. They are rated TOP-BEST by Amazon. So, please take a look at them after reading this amazing mystery short story.