Key of Souls: Twisted Wonderland

Chapter 24: The Mystery Shop and a New Friend

3rd POV

Deuce, Dawn, and Grim walked along Main Street until they approached a building which they assumed was the student store. At the front near the entrance was a sign that read "Mr. S's Mystery Shop". It also had an image of a skull wearing a top gap with the letter S on it.

The moment they stepped inside, it was completely different from the outside appearance. It was filled with all sorts of unique items such as large masks, a piano, a large crystal ball, shelves filled with all sorts of books and bottles, and merchandise from food to magic items. "Pardon us. ...Wow, this place is amazing. There's a crystal skull, grimoires... What kind of taxidermy is this?", Deuce said as he observed the "merchandise".

"Is this really a student store?", Dawn said out loud, she was baffled at what was displayed on the shelves.

"Woah~. Do they really sell whip cream here?", Grim asked as he looked around.

"Hey! My lost little demons, how goes it?", asked an upbeat voice from behind Dawn and Deuce. They jumped a bit as they both felt a hand placed on their shoulders and quickly turned around to see who it was.

Standing in front of them was a lithe young man with magenta eyes, black-and-purple locks flipped over the right side of his head, and an undercut. He had white skeletal markings painted beneath his eyes, on his neck, on his chest, and on his forearms. There were also white rib markings on the bright purple vest he wore beneath his maroon blazer; the skeletal motif is complete with a small skull affixed to his hat. On the side of his blazer, he wore a pin resembling a talisman. He also wore a black apron, tied together with a black-and-white ribbon. He has a single pocket visible near his hip, which holds a green hamsa-type object inside.

"Welcome to Mr. S's Mystery Shop. What can I do for you today? A charm for uncharted lands? Mummy of an ancient king? Or how about some cursed tarot cards?", the man named Sam offered as he displayed the objects he mentioned.

"Ffgna! You scared me!", Grim shouted as he hid behind Dawn's leg.

"A-A-Are you by chance the owner of this store?", she asked nervously.

"Indeed I am.", Sam said as he chuckled, tipping his hat and giving a bow to her. "And you must be the little lady who has been the talk of the town around here." Dawn nodded her head as she responded. "I guess I am, my name is Dawn Baldwin. I learned from Professor Crewel that you helped with providing me with my school supplies so I wanted to say thank you very much."

"No problem at all my little she-devil. But if you want to thank anybody, you can thank my friends on the other side.", he told her with a wink. This left Dawn puzzled as to who Sam's "friends" might be, but she decided not to tread on that theory.

"Um... We'd like the things that are written here.", Deuce said as he handed Sam the list of items.

"And some cans of tuna!", Grim said.

"No! We don't need any tuna!", Deuce firmly said.

"What what? Whip cream, eggs... A nice sweet line-up. OK! Coming right up.", Sam winked at them as he went to the back of the store. "Ooooh... He really has them.", Deuce said with wonder.

----------------------------------------------------------

Dawn's POV

"Looks like it will be a while until he comes back. Let's take this moment to look around for a bit.", I said. Seeing there wasn't anything they could do, Deuce agreed and went to one end of the store, while me and Grim explored the other end. Grim left my side for a moment when he saw something shiny on one of the tables. I was examining all the unique trinkets that were displayed on the shelves such as the small charms, jewels, and talismans. Suddenly my eyes caught sight of what I believe is a plush toy sitting on one of the shelves.