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THE MAGIC BOX by D.B.Adams
It was a dark December evening, the cold was creeping into my bones. I had been Christmas shopping, wandering the West End aimlessly searching shop windows hoping something special would present itself before me, appropriate for anyone on my long list. Desperation brought me to Covent Garden craft market, most of the stalls had packed up. Deciding that neither earrings or wooden toys would do, I headed for the tube. The small market at the back of the Opera House was empty except for a one armed man, on the stall in front of him a piece of dark blue velvet, a dozen small metal cylinders and a few packs of playing cards. "Amaze your friends, just watch" with his one hand he deftly deposited a coin inside a cylinder and picked it up. "Hold out your hand" he said setting the cylinder on the back of my hand, gave it a sharp tap, a coin fell to the velvet as if it had passed straight through. I shook my head, started to turn away , his voice changed slightly "Perhaps you’re looking for something special?". He produced a small black box, five inches square with no lid, he put an orange on the table, placed the box over it, "Voila" he lifted the box, the orange had gone, he angled the box so I could see inside, it was empty. "Thirteen pounds, full instructions included" said one armed conjurer. The deal was done. At home I looked at the piece of paper that came with it;
Magic box instructions. 1, Place over object. 2, Hold by edges and lift. 3, Never let anyone feel inside the box. I looked at the paper, "Full instructions?". I found an apple, covered it, lifted the box slowly and peered underneath. No apple, I turned the box, looked inside; empty. I pushed my hand into the box and groped for the apple, something felt wrong. My arm was inserted to my elbow. I withdrew it quickly, for a second stared disbelievingly at the truncated limb, then as the blood erupted, I began screaming.
Copyright D.B.Adams 1997 abridged version published in Udolpho, Winter 1997.
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