Quote:
This time of year is the busiest for mail deliveries; it’s not uncommon to receive the wrong package. On your doorstep is a box that looks like it’s from a completely different era; it is wrapped in brown paper and tied with dark twine. It has scuffs and scrapes and a yellowed name tag--with your name and address on it. There is no return address and no indication where it came from. If you open it up you will find some sort of timeless item that feels as though it is easily decades old. It may not be particularly valuable, but this item seems to have been lost to time--and somehow ended up in your possession. Any time you look at it you are filled with the same sensation of timelessness.
When Sachio had gotten back to his dorm room after classes for the day, he was told that he had a package waiting for him. Of course, he wasn’t expecting any and had asked about who had dropped it off, but the front desk could only say the postal carrier as they handed him the package. It was nothing amazing, it seemed to be sent in brown paper and tied with twine which was weird. Most people would use some sort of plastic packaging or cardboard. Perhaps it was misdelivered though? It wouldn’t be surprising that someone had sent this if they were poorer, but he hadn’t been expecting anything and certainly didn’t know of anyone that poor to where they had to deliver something through paper.
So what was it?
He could only sigh and take it with him as he went up to his dorm, ready to fall asleep before dinner time. Or that had been the plan, but the package had piqued his curiosity and he couldn’t help but want to open it. At least he didn’t believe it was dangerous. If it had been a bomb or something it would probably be bulkier… and would have exploded before this, right?
As he opened it, it felt as though it had been sitting out for a very, very long time as he coughed at the musty smell. He really hoped that it wasn’t moldy. When he finally unwrapped the item though he saw that it was… some sort of pocket watch. He let out a small laugh, wondering if anyone actually used these things anymore or if they just collected them. Still, it looked as though it were brand new. It was definitely old though and as he looked over it, it felt as though it had gotten lost somehow and for some reason had his name on the package. Was it really meant for him? Or had there been some other Sachio living in the dorms?
That had to be it, right? Still, he couldn’t help but feel some sort of memory to it or something. It looked familiar, like he had seen it before. But where could it have come from… it was then that he remembered that his Maternal Grandfather had passed before he had been born, but he had seen pictures of the old man. And he could have sworn that the pocket watch he currently held in his hands belonged to him…
Had his grandfather meant to send it to him? Did his mother find it and secretly send it? Would she have done so in such a way? Well, he wouldn’t be surprised if she had to, his father would have taken it and crushed it if he had found it. He hated anything that had to do with his mother’s side of the family and had cut off contact as soon as they moved to America, even threatening restraining orders if they didn’t leave Sachio’s family alone. It was disgusting really.
Looking at the watch, Sachio knew he was meant to have it, and if he ever had to face his father again, he had to keep it away from his eyes, in case it was ever found. But here… here he could gently place it on display and could look at it whenever he wanted. And he did so, glad that he had gotten it, even if the circumstances were unusual.
