For Safety Reasons

When Amy is tasked with cleaning a collection, she underestimates her brother's eptitude

A thunk echoed from the back of the room. Concerned, Amy abandoned her task and investigated. She found a box tipped over. Fine gray powder spilled on the floor.

“Oh no.”

The contents of the gold-inlaid container should never be released. Something shifted behind her. With fists stiff in the air, she spun, ready to knock someone out.

“I didn’t do it!” Mikey cried out.

Her eyes narrowed.

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Okay, I did do it but it was an accident.”

“Do you know what that is?” At his blank stare, Amy continued, “Those are the ashes of Angorth, a high demon. The box was his prison. Get him back in there before we find him roaming the halls.”

“You’re not serious, right? Demons aren’t real.”

“Oh, they’re real alright. And he’s one of the worse. He would tear you apart without a moment’s hesitation. Get him cleaned up and in that box before Jason returns from lunch.”

Mikey studied her face, looking for her tells when she lied to him. After a few moments, he sighed. “Okay, I’ll get this taken care of. Sorry.”

A smile stretched her cheeks when she turned away. She held up her hands and let the light flicker over the white scars. Angorth may not have been a true demon, just the hellcat of Jason’s, but he deserved to rest in peace in his golden box.

Her brother scrambled for the broom and dustpan from the cabinet. Maybe she’d instilled enough fear in Mikey that he wouldn’t play with the urn again. The crash of something glass chased her smile away.

Perhaps it would be better if she just sent him outside instead, at least until she was done cleaning Jason’s collection. Might be safer that way.