A raven's secret

The Candy Shop

The moment the final bell rang, Vallerie grabbed me by the arm. "What are you doing after school?" she asked enthusiastically.

I really didn't feel like spending the entire afternoon at the gallery, so I quickly replied that nothing special was planned for today.

"Great! Have you been to the Candy Shop yet?" she asked as we left the school building.

"I haven't seen much of the town yet," I admitted. "Only the grocery store."

"Oh, so you've met Stella." Vallerie's shoulders shook with laughter.

"Stella?"

"She's the owner, and the cashier at Rose Hill Grocer," Vallerie explained.

So, her name was Stella. Pretty name, not so pretty face.

"She's terrible," Vallerie continued. "She is one of the nosiest people in this town."

As we walked to the Candy Shop, I pulled out my phone and texted first Scott and than Mom to let them know my plans for the afternoon. I wasn't too worried that Mom would be angry at me changing plans at the last minute. She just needed to remember the new freedom rule.

The shops of Rose Hill were all situated around a grand total of three blocks. Vallerie led me past all of them, only briefly stopping outside a clothing store to examine a black jacket in the window.

Vallerie led me onto a lone street were all the buldings seemed a lot older than their neighbours around the block. Between another clothing store which was two storeys high, and a computer repair shop with flashing neon lights, a small building was squashed. 'The Candy Store' was painted in faiding gold paint on a red background above the door.

"Mr. Wink owns the Candy Shop," Vallerie said, pausing outside the door.

"Mr. Wink?"

"That isn't really his name, but everyone calls him that. His shop is super creepy, but that makes it just more fun to come here." The door of the shop was closed, but Vallerie opened it up and walked inside with ease.

The inside of the store was slightly dark. The thick red curtains that hung infront of the windows threw the shop in a red light. Heavy wooden shelves lined the walls. They were laden with candy - any kind imaginable. My eyes scanned over the lables of the packets and jars. Chocolates, liquorice, jelly sweets, bubblegum...

A life size statue of an elf stood next to the counter. In its hands were a box filled with candy samples. The elf smiled widely - looking closer, it seemed almost maddening...

Behind the counter stood an old man. His hair was paper white and was starting to wear thin. His smile was a close resemblance to that of the elf. His eyes were blue, but one of them kept twitching uncontrollably. I now understood why he was called Mr. Wink. I shuddered, and goosebumps broke out over my skin.

"Hallo dears," he greeted us. "What jummy treats can I offer you today?"

I was surprised by his voice. It was soft and kind, and laced with an American accent.

"The biggest packet of gum you have," Vallerie said and placed a note on the counter.

Mr. Wink complied, and took a large packet stuffed with bubblegum off on of the shelves and handed it to her. "What about you dear?" he asked me.

"Umm, I..." I stumbled over my words. I looked at Vallerie and then at Mr. Wink apologetically. "I don't have any money on me," I admitted.

"Take what you want. You can pay me back later," Vallerie said with a shrug. She leaned against the counter with ease, almost as if she owned the store.

I walked up to the shelves and inspected them closely. After some consideration, I choose a jar filled with jelly sweets. The little pieces of candy were all different shapes and sizes. I placed the jar on the counter.

"You have quite some candy store," I remarked as Vallerie payed.

"Yes, I make most of the candy myself," Mr. Wink said and handed over the change.

"Really?" My eyes flickered to the back of the store where a door led somewhere.

"Yes, my machines are back there," he said, catching my eye, and threw a thumb over his shoulder.

The next moment a black being flew through an open window close to the ceiling. It flew down and landed on Mr. Wink's shoulder.

"Ah, Mortifer, you came back."

I stared in surprise at the raven perched on Mr. Wink's shoulder. It could be the one I saw at the Grocer, and maybe even the one I saw in the woods.

Mr. Wink must have mistaken my shocked expression for amazement. "This is Mortifer, my pet raven."

"I didn't think normal people had ravens as pets," I said slowly.

"Well, I'm not a normal person," Mr. Wink said with a wide grin.

Vallerie tugged on my sleeve as an indication that now would be a great time to leave. She practically dragged me to the door.

"Enjoy the candy," Mr. Wink called after us.

I managed a meek wave before exiting the shop.

"What a weirdo!" Vallerie laughed.

"I've seen that raven before," I told her. "I'm sure of it."

"You most probably did," Vallerie answered. "That raven goes everywhere in this town. If I didn't know better, I'd say that he was spying on the towns folk." Vallerie laughed at her own joke.

I felt creeped out to say the least. I laughed, but the sound was hollow in my ears.

"Mortifer has a large scratch on his beak. According to Mr. Wink, he got it when he was hit by a car. That's when Mr. Wink saved him," Vallerie said. "If ever you see a raven, check for the scratch, then you'll know if it's him."

Vallerie and I started walking back to some of the more modern shops that were in Rose Hill. She was chewing bubblegum and was telling me stories about the towns people, but I was only listening with half an ear. I was sure that Mortifer was the raven that's been stalking me. And as soon as I got home I was checking that photo I took in the woods for the tell tale scratch.

✴❇✴❇✴❇✴❇✴❇✴❇✴❇✴
What were your thoughts on the Candy Store? Let me know in the comments.
VOTE if you liked the chapter!!! 🍬🍫🍭