The Doll Collection | | Niall Horan

Mystery Shop

It was mid October...The leaves were falling and the wind was whistling through the autumn weather. The air felt fresher- crisp, some may say but it was a cool feeling throughout this time of the year. It was impeccable- perfect fall weather. It was around noon time and the familiar sound of crunching leaves could be heard as I journeyed my way through the dull town. I stopped midway before pulling out the old stained paper that was crumpled up and unfolded it, revealing the unfamiliar address of a hardware store.

'7227' Walburg Rd.'

Is what it said in cursive letters that were written in fine ink by the anonymous sender. I sighed, readjusting my white trench coat to keep warm from the dropping weather and heading down the 'original' part of town that was claimed to be here since the 1980's- yeah it was that old, but yet it always left me feeling astray whenever I entered the town, making me feel unwanted- in a threatening way, a warning almost. I ignore it every time. Inhaling, I enter the town looking for this unfamiliar street name and come across another one instead.

'Wallace Grove.'

That's odd. That sign was never there before..or was it. I pondered for a minute and instantly brushed it off, continuing to walk down the almost abandoned side walk and empty like town. I can't wait to get out of here. Just when I thought that there was no such thing as a Walburg Rd. I entered a local diner instead- hoping to find some type of direction to this place. It was like a living ghost town, no exaggeration listed. The ring of a tiny bell was heard when I opened the door, revealing a lady who seemed to be in her early twenties with big blonde hair and big bright blue eyes to accompany her.

"Hello doll face, how may I help you?" She asked with a huge grin on her face. 'Maddie' was read on the shiny silver rectangle pin she had on her apron.

"Um, yes actually- I'm looking for this address?" I said nervously, fumbling with the crumpled up paper in my pocket to hand to her. She smiled down at me before taking it. Her face drops when she reads it.

"Who sent you here." She was no longer smiling. She handed me the paper with a stern look on her face.

"I don't know- it-it was in my mailbox." I stammered.

"One minute." She says, going around the counter to an old man to tell him something. They both give me a look in between their chat and continue. When they came to a stop, the man nods his head and gets up and approaches me with a smile.

"Now how may I help you today?" He said while leaning over the counter from where Maddie was minutes ago.

"I was-"

"Looking for Walburg Rd. right?" He asked monotonously.

"Yes, sir- it was sent to me anonymously through mail." I quickly explained before he furrowed his eyebrows together in concentration.

"Hmm, are you sure you want to go in there?" He asked.

"Um-yes, sir."

"Okay, Walburg Rd. is located right down this road actually, but further down- I can drive you there if you would like." He offered.

"I would like that, thank you-"

"Its Hank by the way." He finished for me, extending his hand out for me to shake. I appreciatively take it and introduce myself.

"I'm Elaine."

"Elaine, hmm? What a nice name for a beautiful girl."

"Thank you."

"Now come on, we don't have all day before these stores start closing." He mentioned, grabbing his keys and calling out for someone.

"I'm gonna bring my great grandson along the way, he worries a lot but such a gentlemen." He stated proudly.