THE 3PM BOX

Chapter 3

I ran.

I didn't know where I was running to.

Just away. Away from the box. Away from the sound.

My feet hit the pavement hard. 3:01 PM.

The streetlights were already on, even though it was afternoon.

That was wrong.

I stopped at the corner store. My chest hurt.

The shopkeeper looked at me weird. "You okay, girl?"

I nodded. Lied.

"Yeah. Just... late."

My phone buzzed again.

Unknown number.

The message said: "You opened it."

My blood went cold.

I looked behind me.

The box was sitting on the bench behind me.

Closed.

Waiting.

I wanted to scream.

I wanted to throw the box in the river.

But my feet wouldn't move.

The box lid creaked.

Just a little.

A sliver of darkness opened inside.

And from that darkness, I heard my own voice whisper:

"3PM again tomorrow."

Then the lid slammed shut.

I turned and ran harder.

Then the lid slammed shut.

I turned and ran harder.

My heart was in my throat.

The box was following me.

I could feel it.

Then the lid slammed shut.

I turned and ran harder.

The box was following me.

Then the lid slammed shut.

I turned and ran harder.

My heart was pounding.

The box was following me.

I could hear it behind me.

Even when I didn't look.