Me and my ghost
Strange how the winds of change sweep through one's mind. I shall not explain but October is going to be a month of oddities, a month of darkness, and month and a half.
And with that I bring to you the start of my short story for the month, a short story with a twist? Hope you enjoy, wherever it might lead.
Px
The Department Store ?
Above me the warm air poured over my head, drenching me with re-assurance. It was still only mid October, but an autumn chill was upon the streets making the refuge of the department store wholly necessary. Across the entrance mat, looking down, I cleared my feet of the final solitary orange leaf that had clung to the final yards of my walk. Sanctuary was given to me.
Stepping further inside, my head lifted slowly to be met with a see of lights and red, ever early it seemed, the independent family-run monster,that spanned the block, was set up and ready for Christmas. Being caught out by the multi-national chains for the biggest spend of the year was not something old Mr Wright could allow, protecting his great-grandfathers name above the door.
Still, I wasn’t here for early gift shopping, in fact I had no items to seek out, browse or buy. The famous old building was also home to the best hot chocolate in town, the perfect remedy for my insides, the sustenance to see me home. I might even be tempted by a chocolate brownie.
I quickly danced by the nutcracker soldiers, marching onward to the old sweeping staircase that would lead me to new levels. Ready to take a single step forward and up, a man caught my eye, a mere shadow in its corner. I couldn’t be sure, but for the briefest of moments he was there and appeared to be beckoning me down the stairs. The next blink and he was gone.
Staring back where I saw him, my vision was captured once more. Not an apparition but just a sign, dimly lit in the corner of the staircase that curved downward towards the basement. The words obvious and in many ways unnecessary, the pumpkin revealing its intention. It had been a while, my travels taking me a way for some years, but the memories of the Halloween Crypt if you would flooded back. Gripped with child-hood nostalgia the base of my boots seemed to lift my feet and guide them down each step, until at the bottom the darkened entrance was upon me.
With warmth now at my back, a slight chill met me, a clever effect I thought to myself. Still it drew me in, into the eerie chamber. As I remembered the costumes and associated decorations would be at the end of my journey, like a theme park gift shop, but first I must brave all that the store’s clever window dressers could imagine.
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