Page 2 of Hollow Nights

“Kids these days,” she groaned, snatching the receipt as she shook her head and quickly exited the small shop with a jingle.

“Have a nice day! Ugh.” I lowered my arms over the checkout counter, resting my head atop them as I exhaled, frustrated with myself. I felt beyond exhausted, depleted of any energy or drive to do anything. All I wanted to do was curl up and sleep, but every time I closed my eyes, all I could see were those burning orange irises staring back at me. Every time I experienced an episode, I would wake to a large, shadowy figure looming overme, crushing me in my bed. It had no shape or face, just those burning fucking orange eyes attached to something dark. Something evil. They frightened me, haunting me almost every night for as long as I could remember. They didn’t used to be this bad, but as I got older, things only seemed to get worse, and nomatter what I tried, nothing helped me sleep through it. It was hopeless.

The sound of the bell above the door jingled.

“Another rough night?” The voice startled me as I lifted my head slightly, peeking up at the man. It was Duke. He was one of the few frequent shoppers we had here at the Haunted Apothecary. He happened to stumble in one day looking for a bathroom and ended up browsing the shelves, obviously clueless as to what anything was. It was adorable, watching him wander around, dumbfounded and pretending to care. He was a dorky-looking, blond-haired jock, someone you’d never find in a store like this talking to someone like me. I was the complete opposite of him, covered in tattoos and piercings, living a completely different life. And yet, he still found his way into the store multiple times a week. Curious.

“How’s it going, Duke? Browsing again today?” I sat up, feeling the hairs on my neck rise. I tried to ignore that sensation, making casual conversation, wondering what he would end up buying today.

“Yeah, well, you know. I’m just seeing what calls to me.” He began to pace around the store, his hands in the pockets of his faded jeans, the old wooden floors creaking as he softly eyed the shelves, his sight bouncing back to me as he did so. I knew he was nervous about something, but I wasn’t sure what.

Duke stopped at a tall shelf, pointing to something at the very top. “What about that?” he asked.

I ducked around the counter and reached his side, seeing what he was pointing to. “The orange-colored ones?” He nodded. “Ah, well, those are Carnelian.”

“And what would those be good for?”

“Well,” I inhaled softly. It was obvious he had no idea what any of the crystals or stones represented or were used for, but who was I to say anything? Money was money. “Carnelian?—”

I reached high, standing on the tiptoes of my platform boots, extending my arm out to the closest thing I could: a Carnelian sphere with banding. I could feel his eyes on me as I stretched further, the hem of my mini skirt rising. It felt as though something had tugged it as I grasped the sphere and quickly returned to my feet. I held the sphere up, showing Duke as I explained a little about it.

“Carnelian is great for building confidence, courage, passion, and power within yourself. Definitely helps with taking those large leaps in life.” I slowly rotated the sphere, admiring the banding. “See that?” I pointed, tapping the hard surface with my long nail. “That banding there? It’s good luck.” I smiled, adoring the fiery color of the stone. It has always been one of my personal favorites.

Duke carefully took the sphere from my hand, looking closely at it. “So, if I wanted to, say, ask someone out, would it help?” His blue eyes met mine.

“Oh, yeah. And it’s great for sexuality,” I winked. His cheeks instantly flushed as he gripped the sphere tight. “Want me to ring you up?” He nodded silently, swallowing hard. “You know the drill. This way.” I stepped back behind the counter as Duke followed. I rang his purchase up, and as he was paying, something yanked my hair.

“What the fuck?” I cried out, turning around to see no one there.

That was strange. I looked around the shelves and empty shop. It was only Duke and me. Sterling, my co-worker, was in the back, handling inventory, nowhere to be seen.

“Um, everything okay?”

I turned back to Duke, handing him his receipt. “Yeah, I just—” I felt a soft breeze against my partially exposed back. It sent a wave of chills along my skin. “Just another day at work.” Ioffered a fake smile, wrapping the sphere as I bagged it and tucked a small stand inside the brown paper bag. “Enjoy!”

“Thanks, Libra.” He grinned, taking his purchase. “I hope this helps,” he chuckled.

“Oh, I’m sure it will. If not, you just come back here and let me know. I’ll hook you up with something else.” He nodded, slowly backing away towards the door, goofy as ever. I waved goodbye.

“See you tonight,” he whispered under his breath as he rushed out the door. My hand stopped as my brows furrowed.

Tonight?The small display stand of mood rings on the counter fell over the edge. I gasped, jumping as the little bands rolled around on the floor.Great. I bent down, annoyed as I began picking them up one by one. My hand accidentally knocked one of the rings under the counter.

“Fuck,” I groaned. I pressed my cheek against the wood floor, searching for it. As I spotted the silver ring, I noticed a dark shadow just behind it on the other side of the counter where I was standing before. My eyes widened. I knew there was no one else in here. I quickly shot to my feet, searching for the shadow but seeing nothing there, only the same shelves and inventory as before. I carefully rubbed my eyes, glancing a second time to find it exactly as it was before. I must be seeing things. “I need to get some fucking sleep.”

“And what’re you doing down there on your knees?” Sterling made a face as he stepped into the shop from the back room, pressing his lips together.

I couldn't help but scoff at his playful question. “Just cleaning up,” I groaned.

“Mhm. Was that Duke I just heard?”

“Yup. Came, picked something out, and left. Same as always.” I grabbed another ring.

“I’m telling you, girl, that jock has a thing for you. There is no other reason for a man like him to be coming into a store like this. Think about it: what in the world wouldheneed with crystals?” He placed his hands on his hips.

I turned to look at him over my shoulder. Sterling was dressed in the most colorful leather outfit, complete with matching boots. His buzzed silver hair was painted in a layer of matching glitter, his elaborate makeup on point, as always. He was stunning, prettier than any woman I’d ever seen. He had style and knew how to use his words, the little viper. Since I started working here, he had become my best friend.

“Duke is just a lonely guy looking for a little bit of comfort and some attention. That’s all.” I slapped a handful of rings onto the counter.

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