The Music Box: Chapter Thirty-Seven

Sitting down carefully on a richly padded chair, Emily was disappointed she couldn’t see this lady with the mesmerising voice - though she was most relieved not to have her own fruit-covered state require an explanation. She wasn’t sure she could keep up the ogre story (or was it trolls?); considering it a fairly weak cover-up and her heart would not be in it, particularly in light of what Mr Topkins had said about Minerva’s mind-reading capability. She was quite certain Minerva knew the story was fanciful – the idea Mr Topkins could account for a single ogre or troll or even elf let alone two dozen was simply too much to ask of anyone, let alone someone with the sophistication she guessed in Minerva.

Despite the unimpeachable darkness, such was the clarity and richness of Minerva’s lilting tone that Emily had already formed a very strong picture of their host. She saw a tall, willowy woman with raven hair, high cheekbones, alabaster skin, a long straight nose and cherry-red lips. She pictured her in flowing navy silk with a silvery shimmer, her elegantly bared arms ending in long slender fingers that would be always moving, dancing hypnotically as she spoke.

Without entirely getting over her initial apprehension, Emily couldn’t help but be mesmerised by this mellifluous voice, as soft as butterfly wings, smooth as glass, rich as honey. In fact she pictured fleetingly a woman preserved in amber, perfectly formed and captured for eternity in her prime, a specimen for future scientists to puzzle over where mankind could have begun its decline from such lofty heights.

She grew quite sleepy hearing its wonderful warmth wash over her, yet knew she must remain alert and be ready to act. But why? So comfortable was she in this chair, so reassuring was Minerva’s voice, the very reason for Emily’s visit began to seep away from her mind. She was growing so very sleepy, her lids resting lightly over her eyes growing heavier and heavier. If she just let them rest a moment, then she could refocus and be ready for anything. Just a moment was all she needed...

***

Watching from behind the banister on the stairway up to the next floor, where she had seen him disappear earlier, Emily watched as Aloysius Crouch placed an unconscious body into the chamber, picked up a tiny little box from alongside it and then sat down in the chair from which he had lifted the body.

Squinting through the gloom, Emily wondered why the girl he had just placed in the chamber seemed so familiar. Then it hit her – she was looking at herself! A shudder went through her whole body and she had to cover her mouth to stop a startled squeal from escaping. Emily watched Mr Crouch adjust the height of the helmet and place it upon his head, then strap himself in to the chair.

She watched as he fiddled around with the top of the helmet, trying to guess at what he was trying to do. When a bright flash lit up the chamber, Emily realised Mr Crouch had flicked a switch that rested on the top of the helmet. His body sat stock still in the chair, while a purplish smoke began to fill the chamber.

Soon Emily could not see the body – her body – anymore. Although highly curious, she did not dare leave her place on the stairs, fearing what might happen if she was discovered. The smoke began to swirl around the chamber, lit brightly though seemingly from within. Faster and faster it swirled, growing thicker as more and more passed through the top of the chamber, fed from the connection with Mr Crouch and his helmet.

The smoke now began to thin out. Bit by bit it wisped away, until all that was left in the chamber was her other self. Emily watched in disbelief as the body roused into consciousness. It raised slowly to its feet, looking out through the glass at Mr Crouch’s immobile form. A wicked smile danced on her face, one she recognised all too well. It was no smile of hers.

Emily pushed herself back against the wall, willing the shadows to swallow her up. She had toyed with the idea of calling out to the Emily she saw now crossing the room, but thought better of it. Whatever it was that was stopping her, she knew better than to ignore it. She watched as Emily crossed to Mr Crouch and examined him closely. Trying his hat on, she decided against it, placing it carefully back on Mr Crouch’s head. The box in his lap however, which she saw was a cerulean blue, glowing with its own inner promise, the other Emily did pick up. With one last look around the room, she headed for the door, the box under her arm.

***

“So that’s why you’re here?” Minerva gently asked. Emily, taking a moment to realise where she was, had for a moment thought it was her own mother talking to her. Her excitement faded quickly to an aching disappointment, as she rubbed her eyes to help her awaken.

“I knew from the very first time that Aloysius Crouch came here it would come to something like this. He has an amazing mind, quite brilliant in fact, but there was always something not quite right. He was always so hungry, and for what I don’t think anyone ever really knew. His thoughts were impenetrable, he guarded them as though his life depended upon it. After a while most just got used to his strange ways, his sudden appearances and disappearances, they barely batted an eyelid. He was the first of you to come from that side, the first to find the doorways that enabled you to come through. Many, of course, had passed from here to your side, but he was the first to make the journey the other way. I’ve had my eye on him ever since, and I’m afraid, my Emily, that you’ve become caught up in something that cannot have a happy ending for all.

“The question is - what are we going to do to get you home and keep Crouch from causing any further harm?"