I came in here hoping to find answers, and only found more questions. It made me angry that I didn’t find anything. The only insight I got was being scared out of my mind. I couldn’t sit there anymore. I felt suffocated and had to get out in the open. Just as I laid Teddy on the ottoman, eased the door open and peered out, a vague feeling pulled me back. I fingered the Turul bird pendant absent-mindedly, feeling its smoothness and warmth.
Then I realized I had searched everywhere but inside the ottoman. I grabbed the seat and tried to pull it up. There was a soft metallic click, and the top opened abruptly. Under the seat was a compartment filled with photographs and my old drawings. I smiled when I spotted the bean necklace I had made for Mom when I was six or seven. She saved it. I thought as tears threatened to flood my eyes. I sat there touching the photos of my strong father and my beautiful mother. They were so happy, and they had to leave me so early. It wasn’t fair. I cried so hard my sobs shook me. Since their abrupt departure, I had never let myself deeply feel the survivor’s guilt and truly mourn. I refused counseling, and even refused to talk about how I felt. Everyone tried to get me to open up, but I wouldn’t budge. I knew it was a big mistake, yet I couldn’t bring myself to discuss it, even with Bela. For years, everyone was worried, but I fooled them by pretending to be super-strong. If only they had known… I still wasn’t ready. As usual, I got control over my emotions and diverted my attention to something physical and regained my frail emotional balance.
While I was gathering the items, I found an old VCR tape under the photos. I grabbed everything and rushed out. It might be the message. I thought and ran upstairs to my room with the treasures and frantically searched for the VCR in the closet. I’d saved it to watch old tapes of my parents. Although most of the tapes had been converted to DVDs, I never threw out the old player. I hooked it up and popped the tape in, eagerly waiting for the video to start.
My heart skipped when I saw my mother’s face coming into view. She leaned forward as if she were adjusting the camera. “Hi, sunshine,” she said. The sight of her and the sound of her voice made my stomach queasy and brought tears into my eyes. “You’re watching this tape, so it’s your twenty-ninth birthday, and I’m gone. Don’t cry. It’s okay. I’m not there with you and I know it’s unfair, but it has to be this way. I love you so much. I knew about your hiding place, and I knew you would find Teddy and this tape. Listen carefully. I will tell you about your birthright…”
The picture turned snowy and my mother’s face disappeared. The image clicked back, but there was a cartoon playing. “No, please, no,” I shouted, grabbing the remote. I forwarded the tape, but there was only the stupid cartoon. I fast-forwarded to the end of the tape and Mom came back.
“The golden box contains all you have to know about our people and your destiny. Only you have the power to open it. Your father had to hide the box, but your instincts will guide you where to find it, when it will be time to open it. You have a great future ahead of you. Use your powers well, and make sure to use them to do good. Never give in to greed or revenge, and remember that those are very powerful temptations. Your father and I are so proud of you. We will love you forever.” She smiled, blew me a kiss, and then she was gone.
Bile rose up in my throat, making me nauseous. I had only one chance to find out what this Hun mystery was about, and I destroyed it.
What the hell is going on? Where is that “golden box” and why is it important? I may never find out. I thought.