The Witches on BellaRow Street

27. Fire Vs Water

Good energy requires a little magic. 
*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ:

My life is going down the metaphorical rabbit hole...

I'm on edge and high alert, looking over my shoulders, searching for shady photo-stalkers, and thinking about my lack thereof night with Zion, but the show must go on.

Operation: Compile an enemy list, send over last names, check for updates on the 'not so dead body' in a coma, and grab one photo for Zion. What else am I missing?

It's almost eight in the morning, the city is semi-awake, the creeps aren't lurking, the birds aren't chirping, and I've found a good park beside Junie's car. Good.

When I arrive at The Veya Shop, our cute little mini market, my sisters and I bought nearly three years ago, the door is unlocked. Odd. We open at 9 am, and Junie wouldn't leave the store unintended. I don't know what's happening, but the last thing we need is someone breaking in our place of business.

My pulse quickens as I inch closer to the front door while holding my trusted taser, just in case it's a human. Flashbacks of Junie's gun comes to mind as I step inside, listening for anything out of the ordinary. A few floorboards creak followed by wind-chimes clinging up ahead, increasing my anxiety as I tiptoe forward.

Should I say hello like a frightened young woman in a horror movie? Or should I creep around the fruit stand and sneak up on whoever is in here?

Random scuffle sounds coming from around the corner startles me, but I'm more compose, suppressing my magic, so I don't have another episode as I did on the rooftop. I have a firm grip around my taser, ready to sting anyone who pops out.

The lights are off in the shop, but no one is near the register, not even Junie. The laminated hardwood floors don't have blood on it, so that a good sign.

It's hard to believe someone outsmarted Junie by catching her off guard, however, at this point, it's a toss-up. No one is safe.

I swivel around, glancing pass the produce section on the right and our variety of crystals on the left, making sure no one followed me in. Maybe I should walk back outside and call her? No, she'll never forgive me if I do.

Within seconds of me contemplating, a series of taps on my shoulder startles me from behind followed by a low, dark, and demented, harsh-sounding voice, uttering my name, "Yanni!"

My head whips around, surprised at the person standing in front of me. "Junie! What the hell?!" I say, gasping for air. "I almost tased you!"

She bursts out laughing, loving every minute of her scare-tactic.

On Junie's left, there's a lady with a few grey strands in her hair. She doesn't look a day over forty, but I can tell she's been through a lot, and if she's here with my sister, then she's looking for answers.

Insert Junie's side-hustle. She's a fortune teller, and not the crystal ball, tarot reading, or summon a ghost type, but more so, an astrological healer with a gift for telling it like it is. She advises on relationships, careers, and life in general by studying your birth chart or asking for your zodiac sign.

Is Junie accurate with her predictions? Well, let's say she didn't see the 'not so dead guy' in the alley coming.

"Relax, sis," says Junie, smiling at the grey-haired lady. "It's just me and my client..." She studies my posture, grinning, and pursing her lips. "And I see you're early today. That's new."

I huff, quirking a brow at her shady comment. "I'm always on time."

Junie laughs again. "Girl, stop."