The Forgotten Melody

Ethan walked down the dimly lit alley, his fingers tracing the worn-out keys of the old music box in his pocket. He had found it in his grandmother’s attic, hidden beneath a pile of yellowed letters and forgotten memories. The moment he opened it, a soft melody filled the air—one he had never heard before, yet it felt strangely familiar.

That night, he couldn't sleep. The tune lingered in his mind, pulling him towards a memory he couldn’t quite grasp. The next morning, he visited his grandmother, hoping she could shed some light on the mysterious melody.

Her eyes widened when she saw the music box. "Where did you find this?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"In the attic," Ethan replied. "Do you know the song?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded. "Your grandfather composed it for me when we were young. He used to play it every night before he… disappeared."

Ethan's heart pounded. His grandfather had vanished decades ago without a trace, leaving behind nothing but unanswered questions.

Determined to uncover the truth, Ethan examined the music box more closely. As he turned it over, he noticed a tiny inscription at the bottom—a set of coordinates. His grandmother gasped.

"That’s where we used to meet," she whispered.

Without hesitation, Ethan decided to go. The coordinates led him to an abandoned cottage on the outskirts of town. Inside, dust covered the furniture, and cobwebs hung like forgotten dreams. But in the center of the room stood a piano, untouched by time.

Ethan approached and pressed a key. The piano responded with the same haunting melody from the music box. Suddenly, a hidden compartment slid open beneath it, revealing a stack of letters and a faded photograph—his grandfather, smiling, standing beside a door that led to… nowhere.

Ethan’s hands trembled as he picked up a letter. The first line sent shivers down his spine:

"If you're reading this, it means you've heard my song. And it’s time for you to find me."