“Dinner was so yummy Eric!” Elaina said to her new boyfriend. “Thank you so much.”
Eric grinned, “My pleasure. I love making you happy.”
Together, they walked under the night sky, enjoying each other’s presence. They had only been together for three weeks, but they were destined for each other and madly in ‘love’. Elaina was the daughter of the mayor of Riverview. Eric was the quarterback of Riverview High football team and the son of the richest family in the county. It was only a matter of time before the two of them got together.
Elaina was listening to Eric talk about his upcoming football game when something caught her eye. Stopping, she looked over and saw a small shop with a wooded plaque above the door. In faded letters, the sign said ‘Once Again New- Antique Store’.
“Eric!” Elaina said, interrupting his story, “An antique store, I’ve never seen it here before.”
Eric looked suspiciously at the tiny store. He had lived here his entire life and didn’t remember Riverview having an antique shop.
“Think it’s still open?” Elaina inquired. “I have to get Daddy a present, his birthday is coming up soon. And you know Daddy, he loves anything old.”
“The lights are still on.” He looked at his watch, “It’s almost seven though. We can go check it out.”
“Can we please?” Elaina begged.
Eric nodded his head and walked towards ‘Once Again New’ with Elaina following close behind him. As they approached the front door, it suddenly swung open causing Elaina to jump slightly.
“Okay, that wasn’t creepy at all.” Elaina said sarcastically. “Never mind. Let’s go.”
“No, let’s go in.” Eric said intrigued. ‘It looks cool.”
Elaina sighed, this place gave her the goose-bumps, but she didn’t want Eric to think she was a baby. “Okay.” She said weakly.
“Welcome to ‘Once Again New’.” A voice called out to them as they entered the store. “Can I help you?”
Eric barely acknowledged the aging shopkeeper. “No thanks. Just going to look around some.”
The shopkeeper grinned, exposing her toothless smile. Eric bit his lip to keep from laughing and Elaina looked away, her face frozen in disgust.
The two of them walked the store, observing the wide variety of unique objects filling every inch of the small shop.
“I don’t see anything in here Daddy will like.” Elaina said, still a little spooked. “Let’s go now.”
“Why don’t we check upstairs? That’s probably where all the good stuff is.” Eric said, oblivious to Elaina’s discomfort.
Elaina swallowed hard and looked towards the stairs. To her relief, there was a sign next to it saying ‘Off Limits’. “Looks like we can’t go.” Elaina said, cheer in her voice. “Maybe later.”
Eric ignored the sign and walked up the stairs. “It’s fine. The shopkeeper won’t even notice.” Elaina shook her head but quietly followed her boyfriend up the stairs.
At the top of the stairs, they were surrounded by piles of boxes, stretching towards the ceiling.
“There’s nothing up here, let’s go.” Elaina said.
“No, there’s more stuff around the corner.” Eric said excitingly.
“Eric!” Elaina said in a harsh whisper, “I really want to go now.”
“Okay, okay. One more second please?” Eric asked desperately.
“Fine.” Elaina said, pushing herself past Eric. Turning the corner, something gleaming caught her eye. Getting closer, she saw it was a brilliant blue gem sitting on a stone pedestal. Elaina looked closer at it. Everything surrounding the gem was covered in layers of dust except for the stone. It shone beautifully in the darkness.
Elaina wanted this gem.
“What are you two doing up here!?” A harsh voice screamed from behind. Turning around, Elaina saw it was the shopkeeper.
“Get out of my store!” She yelled at Eric.
Before they could blink, Eric and Elaina tore down the stairs, out into the yard, and into a small forest a block or two away.
“Eric!” Elaina screamed, “I told you it was a bad idea! I told you we should have left. But no, you wanted to stay!”
“Calm down, it’s not that big of a deal.” Eric said, his temper rising.
“Calm down!? She could call the cops on us!” Elaina turned around. “I’m going home. I’ll see you later.”
“You sure you want to walk? The mean shopkeeper might come and get you.” Eric mocked.
“Eric, shut up unless you want to be single.” Elaina said before stomping off.
 |
“Girls.” Eric muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile- Back at the Store...
"My jewel is gone! Those kids!" A voice filled with rage rang through the air. "They'll pay for this."
