Welcome

It was about two o’clock when Ron arrived at the shop. He had finished the wiring for the Kitchen at the cabin and hoped to help Linda with the new shipment coming in around three. He had also taken a detour and passed by Amanda’s family house, and there was still no sign of them having returned. When he walked in, several people were in the shop, and Linda was checking out those buying the latest who had a pile of books with stories and magic. Ron looked noticing several new stickers now on the front window, including the one suspiciously familiar to a particular magic forest friend. He even spied one between the words on the shop sign, right between Paragon Mists.

Ron smiled but was distracted as the sunlight through the window suddenly disappeared. He looked out to see the delivery truck now parked on the street before the shop.

“Ron, could you let the driver in? I’ll be done in a minute.” Linda asked, waving to him as he looked back. Ron nodded and went outside to meet the driver.

It was almost five by the time Ron and the driver had unloaded the truck. The boxes were now piled in the front of the store. Linda signed off on the delivery and handed the driver his paperwork. She said a cheerful, “see you next time.”

Ron looked around, “why’d you order so much?’

Linda gave a happy sigh, “these are all the online orders. These aren’t for the shop.”

He looked around, his eyes in disbelief.

Linda nodded, “it’s gotten pretty busy. We’re defiantly making the rent this month. And the next few.”

Ron sighed with relief. He had been doing freelance work and recently was helping keep the store open. The story in the newspaper set some things in motion, causing their luck to change for the better. Then Ron noticed Linda seeming to be lost in thought.

“What is it?” Ron asked.

Linda’s expression turned to one of concern, “did you know that they tore down Dr. Terrell’s house?”

“When? I just went by there last week.” Ron interjected.

Linda nodded but then turned penchant, “there was a man in the shop today trying to sell me one of those capture jars that he had in his lab. When I touched it, I swore I heard screaming.”

Ron thought for a moment, and a concerned look entered his eyes, “It was empty, right?”

Linda half nodded but again seemed to be thinking, “I think it was. The thing felt so ominous. I just handed it back to the man.”

Ron seemed to be thinking, “how’d he get the bottle?”

“He stole it. He said that there was a company that came in and took the whole place. They filled it in.” She told him before looking at the door, “there’s something else.”

Ron raised his brows as she told him about the man disappearing when he left the shop. Then, prompting him to say, “not another sorcerer?”

She shrugged her shoulders, “No idea, but he did give me his card.” She then handed the tattered card to Ron.

Ron seemed to think, “maybe we should check him out.”

Linda nodded.

Ron looked out the window, the fall sun getting low across the buildings. He looked at the cars as they passed by and tapped the card in his hand. “Maybe we should check out Terrell’s house first.”

It was Sunday, and the shop was closed since this was the day she worked on the online orders. However, she liked having them ready for shipping every Monday. Ron helped, and they finished packaging things up within only a couple of hours. Ron placed the last box in the alcove area near the door and turned to see Linda putting the trash out.

Ron looked at the window and could see the overcast sky, the dry sidewalk gray with the light. He moved closer, looking at the bird’s nest now vacant in the small tree out front. His eyes moved to the sticker on the front window, and he stared at it. Linda walked up behind him, and he moved as she touched his shoulder. “I’m worried about her too.”

Ron nodded, “yeah, that girl can get into a lot of trouble.”

Linda paused for a moment, “I was thinking of Roween.”

He nodded, “her too.”

They both laughed, and Linda touched the sticker before looking to Ron, “Are we going to stop by that mad man’s house to check?”

Ron nodded, but his jaw was half clenched. He turned, seeing Linda’s concern, “it’s nothing. just a thought.” He took a breath, “let’s go check things out.”