Last Friday, my 10-year-old son, Jake, came home from playing outside with a big grin on his face. He was holding a small wooden box, cradling it as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
“Mom, Mooom, Mr. Carson gave me a present!” he exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. I felt a twinge of unease. Mr. Carson had never shown any particular interest in Jake before, so this sudden gesture felt a bit odd. Nevertheless, Jake’s excitement was infectious, so I smiled and asked him to show me what was inside.
Jake’s face lit up even more as he shared Mr. Carson’s instructions. “He told me to wait until I got home to open it. He said it would be a special surprise.”
Despite the growing unease in my stomach, I didn’t want to spoil Jake’s excitement. So I nodded and watched as he struggled with the lid before it finally popped open.
Unveiling the Horror
When I saw what was inside, my heart nearly stopped. The box was filled with dead insects, each meticulously pinned to a soft cushion lining the interior. Beetles, moths, and even a few large spiders were arranged like something straight out of a horror movie.
Jake’s smile faded as he noticed my reaction. “Mom? What’s wrong?”
I struggled to keep my voice steady. “Jake, where exactly did Mr. Carson get this?”
“I don’t know mom, he just said…
Wait for Part Two……..