Tainted Ties
The thought causes my breath to hitch.
Fear claws up my throat, scraping my mouth open. But with all my restraint, I keep it shut.
I reach for the box, picking it up and holding it in my palm. The presence of it burns a hole in my skin. Chilling my bones as I squeeze my eyes shut, daring myself to open the box.
After a few minutes have passed, I remove the cover before opening my eyes. And there it is...a white rose, sprinkled with droplets of red. My eyes widen at the sight of it.