Prompt: Describe or narrate a scenario about a gift found a century into a future in which society as we know it has come apart. Your description should address issues related to identity and elicit feelings of fascination.

In the year 2124, as the world lies in disarray, a group of scavengers uncovers a mysterious gold box buried beneath the ruins of an old library. Surprisingly well-preserved, the box is adorned with an intricate five-ring pattern and bears the inscription “Phryges”.

Inside, the scavengers find several artifacts from the past: a silver locket with a photo, a leather diary filled with personal reflections, and a gold medal that glimmers softly. Each item offers a window into a world long gone.

The silver locket, featuring faces filled with laughter, sparks curiosity about the lives and relationships of those pictured. Who were they? What were their lives like?

The leather diary contains written entries on love, dreams, and hope. One passage reads: “For years, I’ve dreamed of standing on that stage and hearing my name called out.” Each entry fills the scavenger’s curiosity, wanting to know more about the person behind the words. Did they achieve their dreams?

The gold medal, when carefully examined, bears the words “Paris 2024” engraved on it. However, most of the engraving has deteriorated over time, making the details difficult to read.

For the scavengers, these items connect a distant past with their present. They reveal that despite the changes the world has, human feelings and dreams remain the same. The discovery leaves them with a sense of connection to a time that, while in the past, still feels surprisingly familiar.

• ETEC 540