• To the ill-fated discoverer of this letter,
    First and foremost I must warn you of the design of the chest and its contents. Beside this letter there should be an ornate timepiece inlaid with a large, fine-cut violet sapphire. Do not try to open or even touch that timepiece or its jewel. In it resides the most evil presence you would ever encounter.
    I wish to tell you the history of the chest you have in your possession; at least up to when it fell into mine and my sister’s possession. At times my story will seem to you unbelievable, but I implore you to read this letter to completion. Again, it is of the utmost importance that you do not touch the timepiece.
    This summer past, my older sister and I received news that a great uncle of ours passed on. We never pretended to know his character, for we had never before met. What was unusual was, with the news of his death, we learned that this great uncle had bequeathed us with a part of his estate in his last will. Confused but nonetheless pleased, I made an appointment to settle this estate with a lawyer. My sister and I packed our luggage and left the next morning for our late uncle’s manor.
    After a short journey of an hour by train out of London and an hour by carriage into the countryside, there was little trouble in finding our uncle’s estate. It was impressive; a towering mansion with a great many windows and spires. The servant’s quarters were separate from the main house, about 100 feet behind, and there was 80 acres of woodland that surrounded the estate and was considered his property. My sister was absolutely awed by the majesty of it and it would be lying to say I was not awed as well. To think we had such a wealthy uncle who we never before had contact with?
    I met the lawyer at the door, and we were led through numerous doors and passageways, so many I was instantly lost. Finally settling down in a disorganized office, the lawyer started going through several legal matters with me. Naturally, my sister was bored with the whole affair of it and decided to explore the manor. I was reluctant, afraid she would be as lost as I, but she reassured me she would find her way back to me.
    After discussing the property with the lawyer for a couple hours, everything was settled, with our inheritance including the contents of several rooms in the north wing. The lawyer summoned a servant to lead me to the rooms, where my sister had also found herself to. She was admiring some of the decorative items in one of the rooms when I told her that she could take anything she pleased, for all of it belonged to us. She was ecstatic, and took no time in pointing out all the objects she wanted to take back to our apartment in London, also pointing out what objects would be best to sell. In particular she adored a small chest, of which she hoped to make a jewelry box. I agreed it was a fine piece, but for all we tried, we could not open it. Upon searching, we found that the key to the lock was most likely long lost. Not one to have low spirits, my sister still wanted the chest if only for aesthetic purpose.
    We packaged a few items to take back immediately with us, but left the rest to be delivered in a few weeks. I was assured that they would not be mishandled, and after a fine night’s sleep in the guest rooms of the manor (for it was too late to return again that night), my sister and I departed with only a little reluctance to leave the mighty house.
    I went on to sell most of the objects with a great amount of profit. With the money I decided to purchase for my sister a plot of land outside the city as a wedding present, for she was to be wed the next year. I also gave her most of the items we kept from the manor, for what use did I of decorative objects? She happily furnished her new house with them.
    The summer ended and I was to return to university for the new term. I had a promising future, and was caught up in my studies for a great while. Unfortunately I paid little attention to my health, and soon grew very ill from overwork. I was granted leave from my studies to recover, and reluctantly I went to stay with my sister to be taken care of.
    At this time, winter was beginning to wane and spring was arriving. My sister’s wedding was arriving quickly and there were many preparations taking place. I was often disturbed and unable to properly rest, and as I have a natural predisposition of enjoying my work I soon decided to continue my studies as sick as I was. My sister would not hear of this, and so I had to do this while she was preoccupied with other matters (which ended up being most of the day).
    As I was not occupied when in her presence, I soon noticed a great deal of strange things about my sister. In appearance she looked very tired; her eyes often glassy and her cheeks waxen; and though while busy with preparations she continued to be in high spirits, when she was left to her own devices I often noticed her to look like she is glancing at something far, far away that I could not see. During her daydreaming she also sighed as though discontent, and though I asked her what the matter was, she never told me the truth. She also became startled quite easily, it only took a tap on the shoulder when she wasn’t expecting it or calling out to her when she was concentrating on something to make her jump.
    I never wanted to believe my sister would be up to anything strange, so I attributed her behaviour to being worried about the wedding. I knew my sister was never one to let her appearance be dishevelled on purpose, so I concluded that the stress of the planning was hindering her sleep at night. I asked her how she was sleeping, and though she looked surprised at me asking, I thought her answer truthful when she said she was sleeping fine. I was suspicious of her answer, for it did not match her demeanor, but let the matter drop as she scolded me for looking after everyone’s health but my own.
    I should also mention occurrences that I began to notice a little before this time. The small town which my sister’s house was located in began to have a number of unexplainable disturbances. Stray cats were said to have been a problem in the main streets, but it was noticed that their population had decreased significantly over the span of a few weeks prior to my visit. The strays would be found a bloody mess, with nothing eaten off them but a few of their bones missing. The townspeople were worried that there was an insane person among them, but most passed it off as an attack from a dog. Another occurrence was a disturbance in the cemetery. It was found that three of the graves had been dug up and reburied by someone. It was suspected that there was a grave robber, but these graves were old, with nothing but bones in them, which was exactly what was taken. All three of the coffins were found to hold incomplete skeletons. The third occurrence was the kidnapping of a young girl. Although not an unusual happening, I suspected that the source of this disturbance and the rest were the same.
    This may seem irrelevant to you, and it was to me for a time. I didn’t connect my sister’s strange behaviour to any of these events; I still don’t want to believe they were done by her.
    After a little over a week of my stay with her, I awoke in the darkest hour of the night for apparently no reason. Unable to fall back asleep after a time, I decided to take a walk to clear any troubled thoughts I had. Before I opened my door I heard the faint sounds of someone walking down the hallway. Curious, I opened the door slowly until I saw her. My sister was walking toward her room, trying to make as little noise as possible and holding a large, awkward bundle. I took the bundle to be laundry- for it was wrapped in a towel- but it seemed too lumpy, with many sharp protrusions unknown to anything I would have guessed my sister to be carrying.
    She looked about her like she could feel my gaze and then hastened to return to her room, shutting the door tight after her. I made nothing of this incident, as it felt to me isolated, and went back to my bed. As I was drifting off I thought I imagined the sound of two voices from somewhere in the house.
    The day after this I noticed once again the paleness of my sister’s cheeks and the tired look about her. She seemed to have an even harder time keeping in high spirits, but again I thought nothing of it. My health was fast improving and I was excited for my return to school. I was hoping that my recovery would be complete by the end of another week, and I told my sister so. She seemed a little too cheerful to hear of an impending departure, but I knew I was a burden on her hospitality.
    That night again I woke; this time to the definite sound of my sister dropping something in the hall. I heard her utter a low oath before hearing her pick up whatever she dropped and continue on. Curious, I waited until she was in her room again before opening my door to inspect. When I stepped out, my foot landed on something that I cannot say was not painful, but I held in my own oath as I picked up what hurt me. It was a flat, bleached white bone that fit in my palm. Through my studies I could discern it to be the shoulder blade of a feline. This was absolutely bizarre to me. Why would my sister have the bones of a cat in her possession?
    To answer my own question, I again heard the sound of voices that came from down the hall. My sister’s room was slightly ajar. Hoping to evade her notice, I snuck over and pressed my ear to the crack of light. Immediately I was taken aback, for I heard the most unusual voice of another person. It was androgynous and low, with an almost imperceptible echo. The voice was saying, “This is not nearly enough. I am growing impatient.”
    To which my sister replied, “I’m only one woman, please don’t punish me! I can only do so much without drawing attention to my actions.” She sounded so afraid of the owner of the voice that I almost burst into the room, but I controlled myself to continue listening.
    “I don’t want your excuses, you pitiful woman. You are running out of time.”
    “I know, I know, but I want this, you know I do. I would do anything you ask me. I will carry this out to the end, I promise you.”
    “You have one more week, or your freedom will be forfeit.”
    “Thank you, thank you so much.”
    Even in my ignorance I knew something was gravely wrong. I adjusted myself to look into the room but I could not see but a sliver. All that was in my line of sight was the vanity, messy with woman’s beauty products and, strangely enough, the chest that my sister had taken from our uncle’s manor. It was lying open. I thought maybe my sister had commissioned a locksmith to open it.
    As I was trying to see more, my sister came into view. I ducked my head away to avoid being seen, but she never turned to me. She was placing something into the chest, though I did not see what. When she closed the lid I heard the click of a lock sliding into place; almost by itself for my sister did not touch it with a key. I saw no one else in the room, nor saw a hint of a second person’s shadow. Tired as I was, and still weak with illness, I retreated from there and went back to my own room. I could not sleep after that, unfortunately, and my mind was filled with questions. It was a restless night.
    In the morning I resolved myself to see what the object was that my dear sister had placed in that mysterious chest, so soon as she started out of her room, I went in. The chest was right where I last saw it, and I took no time in picking it up and trying to open it. Just as it wouldn’t when I first tried, the chest did not open. No matter how I pulled or picked the lock, it was steadfast in not opening for me.
    Frustrated, I examined the chest more closely, actually looking at the ornate silver detailing. If you would also take a close look, you will see around the edges a fine script. I took the language to be something mid-eastern or north-African; it was no language I recognized. Around the lock, there are symbols of a superstitious nature, meant to seal something inside. On the span of the lid and sides are depictions of a story. From what I could make out at the time, it was the tale of a demon that ate the bones of the dead and was made of smokeless fire. There are figures of richly clad noblemen, who seal the demon inside a jewel. But that was all I could understand, with much of the detailing been worn off.
    I replaced the chest and waited again for night. This time I thought to be a little more investigative. Instead of going to my room for the night, I went straight to my sister’s. I found a suitable place to hide in her armoire, where I pushed most her clothes aside and left the door ajar for a full view of the room.
    My sister was not long in coming, and made like she was going to bed, only did not change out of her day clothes but went to bed fully clothed. This didn’t very well surprise me, for I figured as much would happen. She dozed off for a while, and I can’t say I wasn’t falling asleep upright in my hidden position. She woke exactly when the hall clock chimed midnight, making great haste to get out of bed and leave the room. She was away for almost an hour, returning with another large clumsy bundle as the nights before, laying it out on the floor at the foot of the bed. As it was laid out I first saw what it contained; a pile of very human looking bones, including long bones from the legs, a pelvis, and a most frightening skull.
    This was the moment I realized that the strange occurrences were, in fact, led by the woman whom shared my blood. At the time I felt as if I didn’t know that woman anymore, that she was an abomination to humanity. Needless to say it was a huge shock to the system. What happened next I have trouble conveying to you, for it seems something that came straight from a dream, a nightmare. It is completely unreal.
    For while I was examining the bones, my sister had made her way to the chest, which opened at her very touch, and she pulled out what appeared at the time another most unusual item; the timepiece. Silver inlaid with the violet sapphire, no doubt an expensive piece. She put it to her lips and uttered an incantation; which I shall not reveal to you; that made the jewel glow from within with a black light. The candlelight flickered, and then all of a sudden there was a tall figure standing in front of my sister. I was startled, but held my position.
    I had no idea of the supernatural, and had no inkling to what this creature was. Even if I knew what it was, I could never imagine the horror... It appeared to me as a woman, completely covered from head to toe with a single white garment- a cloak and veil of sorts- with only her eyes showing. And those eyes, those terrible eyes! Gaping holes that missed nothing, filled with a great fire that overflowed onto her cheeks. I was frozen with a new fear. The creature spoke, and it was the same echoing voice as the day before.
    “What have you brought for me today?”
    “This is all the rest of the bones I could find.” said my sister.
    “You know this is not adequate, I need the bones of mortal beings for my power. If I do not have enough, you will get no wish.”
    “I know, but I do not know where else to obtain them, I- I cannot kill another again.” At this my sister started sobbing, while remembering some past horror she had committed.
    “If you cannot bring me anymore, I have an exception, a substitute for you to bring me. One last item, that you needn’t bring any more bones after.”
    “W-what would that be?”
    “The blood and bone of one other human; one whom you have close ties to. I want your brother. His soul will be enough nourishment for many spells. Bring his body to me, dead or living, and I will grant you your wish.”
    At that time it seemed both my sister and I were too shocked to move, too shocked to speak, though for different reasons. The creature disappeared in a swirl of smoke that retreated into the jewel, taking the bones with her. My sister did not move for quite some time, and I could not see her face to know her emotion. Would she do it? Would she kill me? I doubted her affection for me. She finally got up and replaced the timepiece in the chest with jerking movements.
    I had to stay in position until morning and my sister leaving her room. Once she had left I again examined the chest, though without touching it. The creature from the timepiece matched the appearance of the demon in the engravings.
    That day was one spent in terror; I constantly thought my sister would be coming after my life. She seemed as normal as ever, as though the night occurrences were only bad dreams that she could leave behind in everyday life. I couldn’t understand how she acted this way, when she did such things! I could not tell anyone either, for who would believe that there was a creature in a timepiece in a locked chest? You are the only human I wish to convince the truth of. If you do not believe this, then there would be no use telling you.
    When night came again, I did not venture back to my sister’s room, afraid of what was going to happen. I thought to keep a nightlong vigil, but the sleepless night from the day before was coming back on me. I was too tired and fell asleep before I knew it.
    I would not be able to write this letter from beyond the grave, so be assured I am well.
    I awoke to the sight of my sister standing over me. It was midnight again, and she was holding a long, sharp butcher’s knife over my head. The knife gleamed in the moonlight, stained red from how many animal lives it must have taken. My sister was not moving, though, as I thought she would to kill me. She stood suspended over me for many minutes, watching my face. Her own crumpled in despair. She put the knife on my bedside table and said one thing before falling over me sobbing.
    “I cannot.”
    Elated, I took hold of her in a gentle hug. To know that my sister loved me in such a way that she could disobey that frightening creature was such a relieving and beautiful feeling. I told my sister I loved her and that I would be here for her no matter what happened. She only cried in my arms like she did so many years ago when we were children and she got hurt.
    She never returned to her own room, but requested to stay in mine. I let her sleep in my bed as I wondered what would happen, whether or not that creature would punish my sister. I did not want that, for my affection for her had returned when she could not kill me. I watched over her until morning, when she explained to me all that led up to her actually considering killing me. I will try and quote her, but the dialogue was long and I cannot remember parts.
    She started by saying, “I never meant for it to go that far, but it was hard to disobey that voice once I started.” Her own voice was shaking so much that I reached out and held her hand to calm her.
    “It started a few weeks ago. During the night I would hear a voice calling to me, and feel a sort of pull toward the source, the chest. I checked it during the day and it was always locked, but at night... At night she wanted me to open it, and I did. She told me the words to say, and I did. I never knew such a terrifying creature could exist! She appeared to me after saying those words, and touching the timepiece to my mouth. What a fright it was to see her figure! I thought, surely I am dreaming, surely this is a nightmare! She introduced herself as Djiniri, a female of the magic race of djinn. She said she would fulfill any wish I had, but for a price.”
    Here I interrupted her, “A djinn? I think I’ve heard of them, aren’t they also called Ifrits? Yes, yes… But they are supposed to be benevolent, willing to freely grant wishes to those who ask…” I didn’t realize I had upset her by my interruption, and bade her, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, please, go on.”
    She continued, “She said she fed on the bones of mortal life, that she wanted me to bring her dried bones from any creature. I started by bringing her chicken bones from the kitchen, but then she commanded me to bring larger bones, so I started catching cats from the town. That was the largest animal I could catch myself, but then she wanted more. I thought of using bones of those already buried, but she said they were too old. She wanted fresh. Then there was the little girl, oh that little girl was outside at night and I was desperate! I was so desperate! I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t disobey! I laid them out to dry in the sun and then brought them to her, all the bones… She said I didn’t have to bring her any more bones for a last sacrifice. She said if I brought you, she would finally grant my wish, but oh, I don’t even wish for it anymore!”
    I asked her what it was she had wanted, that she would wish for in exchange for so much pain, but she would not tell. I never did get an answer to that.
    My sister told me that there would be punishment for her because she never returned with me. I told her I would be with her that night, stay with her when she confronted the Djiniri. As another sacrifice, I bought several cow bones from the butcher hoping it would be enough.
    We waited solemnly until midnight, when the Djiniri could come out. She came in a terrible wrath, her white cloak burned black from the fire I knew she held inside her.
    “You, girl, you did not come to me last night! And you, boy, should be dead as I wanted.”
    My sister was the one who confronted the Djiniri. “I cannot give you my brother, because I love him more than I want for myself.”
    “Foolish girl, I can give you so much more than a pitiful relationship with someone who ignores you and leaves you for his own desires.”
    My sister flushed, and I felt ashamed. I had been ignoring her in the many months I spend at university; I had left her here alone for so long. No wonder she desired for something more, a wish. That time it was I that spoke, “If you please, mighty Djiniri, we brought you cow bones as a substitute for my own.”
    “I want for no cow, I hunger for human affection. She loves you, so I want you. Since she disallowed me you, I get her! That was our agreement, wasn’t it girl? Disobey me and you are mine.”
    My sister nodded feebly, I knew she was scared for her life but could do nought to help her. We were in a position of submission with no escape. The Djiniri’s eyes burned ever fiercer, seeming to be looking at everything and nothing at all. My sister was disappearing, turning to smoke before my eyes. I reached out to grab her hand one last time and felt nothing in the space, my sister’s ethereal form dissipating and retreating to the timepiece which lay open on the ground.
    “A thousand years she will be trapped, the watch counting her time. She will burn in my presence and live for the day of her freedom, as it will be the day of my own as well. You, boy, are the keeper of the timepiece now, pray it never fall into evil hands or the world will be the next forfeit.” With that the Djiniri too turned to smoke and went into the timepiece, so that I was alone in the room. I dropped to my knees and looked at it, the cryptic message still echoing in my mind.
    You shall not ever see the inside of the timepiece if you are lucky, but I got a good look as it lay open on the ground. Instead of numbers for the hour there were images of a series of constellations, ten in total; one for every hundred years of my poor sister’s imprisonment. I wept for her for a long while. She was good at heart, only overtaken by greed in a moment of weakness. The hands on the clock seemed completely still, though I knew they moved almost imperceptibly slow. A thousand years is so long, I know my sister and I will never meet again.
    So this is why I warn you: nothing good will come of the timepiece, the djinn, or the chest which they belong. Do not be overcome with greed that you cannot see foolishness where it waits to trip you. In all sincerity I suggest you replace my letter as warning for a future man and return the chest with the timepiece to its hiding place.
    May luck precede you;
    And you never meet the Djiniri.