"Unbelievable," Crystal mumbles breathlessly as she sits in her white Porsche, staring through the windshield at the tiny shop in front of her. It looks exactly like the one in her recurring dreams. With her hands still clutching the steering wheel, she continues to stare while having an internal debate about what she wants to do next.
Finally, she settles on the reality of the matter. If she didn't go in, this nagging feeling will continue all night, leaving her sleepless. And at some point tomorrow, she'll end up back here again. To save time on this ordeal, she might as well go in now.
Crystal finally opens her car door and proceeds to get out. By now, the sky is already starting to turn dark. She concludes she shouldn't linger around for too long. Maybe a glance around the shop and see if something can explain why she keeps having dreams about this place.
The little shop looks like it is nearing its last leg of life. A once sky-blue color, it is now turning grayish with dirt and age, with paint peeling off along the sides. Tiny tinted windows and a little-outdated door, showing nothing of what it looks like on the inside. Crystal grabs the handle of the door but hesitates for a moment.
She's not sure why there is so much reluctance. After all, she's just here to visit a little shop. But deep down she seems to already know, something is about to change dramatically for her. Even though she was only five at the time, she still remembers this similar feeling.
Finally, Crystal pulls on the wooden door with determination. Whatever it is, she will handle it.
The warmth of the heater and the smell of freshly baked cookies drifts across her face.
"Well hello there. It's about time you finally came in." A female voice greets her as she walks in. That voice is certainly familiar.
Crystal looks around the shop, feeling surprised at how new it looks on the inside, the opposite of what one would expect based on the exterior. It's also a lot bigger than expected.
A plump lady with round glasses and rosy cheeks is sitting at a round table near one of the corners, eating brie cheese, fig butter, and some crackers.
"Hi," Crystal responds. "How did you know I was outside?"
"I could feel your energy. You've been lingering outside for a while." She replies, neatly placing a piece of cracker back on her plate.
Crystal feels skeptical already. "My energy?"
"Well, I also happen to have surveillance cameras outside if that sounds more reasonable to you."
"Sure, that's reasonable." Crystal glances around. There are bookshelves full of books with interesting titles, crystals displayed all over the room, tarot cards of different sorts, and a variety of interesting things she has no idea about.
"My name is Themis. How can I help you today?" At this point, it is Themis whose eyes are glistening with interest and fascination.
Crystal glimpses at the plate of brie cheese, remembering this recurring in her dreams. She is starting to wonder if this is real or a dream again. What is reality and what is not seems not so clear-cut anymore? Is this what they call déjà vu?
Themis motions with her hand for Crystal to sit down at the table. Crystal picks the chair across the table from Themis and sits down.
"I'm not sure," Crystal responds. "Perhaps a psychic reading."
Themis removes her spectacles and takes a closer look at Crystal. Finally, she smiles. "You are wondering why you would keep having recurring dreams about this place if you've never been here."
YOU ARE READING
The Minerva Prophecy
Science Fiction"My dear, you've been living the equivalent of two lifetimes in one. And at some point, these lifetimes would converge and collide." Themis lightly waves her hand and the blue butterfly flutters out of her hand. "Two lifetimes?" Crystal is highly s...
