I look at the bright red tab. I look at the ancient canvas wrapping. Whatever is inside must have gone inert years ago, right? The closer I stare at it, the heavier it feels. More substantial. I almost swear I can feel a ticking inside.

DO NOT PULL TAB UNTIL READY TO USE

I am suddenly overcome by a desire to tear open the package. It couldn't possibly be what it sounds like, it's probably just full of cool WW2 stuff, bullets and boot knives, valuable relics. I pinch the red tab between my fingers. I want to pull it. I want to pull it so bad. But there's that ticking. It might just be my own pulse, or my hands trembling, but I can feel it, and it feels malevolent. Like a living thing trapped inside the canvas, breathing.