My grandfather was a florist. He was a kind man. As a kid, he'd plop me on the counter and I'd hand flowers to the customers. some sweet old ladies would ask if I were for sale. I got some flake from kids, they thought It was girlish that I wanted to be a florist like my grandfather.

Time flew by and Grandfather passed away. His shop closed and after a few years, it became an old rundown building no one wanted. But I wanted it.

For years it sat there. The land value increased over time but it was never bought.

I don't know how the shop ended up in someone else's hands. Maybe my family sold it or Grandpa had rented it. What I do know is the seller had caved and was willing to sell it dirt cheap. Everyone who visited the property gave up after one step through the doors. the seller was practically convinced it was cursed.

Cursed, no is been waiting for me. After walking in it felt like home. Then the doors and shutters slammed close and refused to open.

Maybe it really was cursed. A scratching sound came from the store counter. My already fast-beating heart had gotten faster. Paint and spackle chipped off the counter. it was as if a ghost were gougingsomething into the counter. A tree in a wheel. it was the logo of Granpa's store. It was also a perfect-sized slot for a necklace my grandfather gave me. one I wore everywhere.

It fit in like a glove. no better than a glove. The wood of the counter and the necklace were flush and it felt magnetic. The necklace practically slid itself into place from my hand.

The store was renovated before I bought it and all the work that was put in started to come undone. The paint-peeled, cabinets fell off the wall and crumpled to dust then shelves came out replacing them. the store counter lengthened.

Soon the store smelled of freshly cut wood and lacquer and it was clean. No dirt dust or paint chips. Not a speck of paint could be seen. everything was lacquered wood even the floor was replaced. i quite liked those tiles.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

It looked just like grandpas shop again. Just a lot emptier and with a new door. Grandpa's shop never had this door. it shouldn't lead anywhere except the brick wall of the neighboring store.

Do i accept the crazy and go in or... I went through the crazy door and was immediately blinded by the sun. Hedges twelve foot tall at the least, framed a small square garden. A garden that hadn't seen care in a decade.

Any plant that was here withered away a long time ago. Except for what may have been a bush. It's so dry you could ignite with a spark.

Whatever had been here outgrew their pots or they cracked in winter. let's not jump to conclusions. Wait! how is this here!. I try to peer through the hedges. It's like trying to open a door with someone pushing back. I get a peek, it's another garden. wheres the street? wheres the stores? shouldn't I be in the neighboring store right now?

I rush back into the store and try to open the door. till won't budge. I go to remove the necklace and it shoots into my hand. The back door shuts and fades into the wall as if it were never there. The shutters open and the sun pours in. I put the necklace back and the shutters close and the door returns...

I don't know how long I stood there but my brain must have fried. When I left the sun had started to set, I started the car and remembered I forgot to shut the lights off and lock up. I look at the shop from my car. the light goes off and I can see the door lock itself. My heart sinks and I peel out of my spot. I had enough paranormal supernatural magic mobo jomo voodoo hoodoo juju ahhh! I want to go home.

I knew i wouldn't be getting much sleep. Who wouldn't want a shop that cleans itself and saves on the electric bills if you forget to shut the lights off? just get past the possible curses or demons and ghosts that make it work and it's ideal.

I thought about asking an exorcist but decided against it. my family would think I'm crazy not to mention they might not be a real exorcist and if they are... They may make whatever's their really mad.

I tried to think of other things but the shop just kept coming up. i wondered if Grampa knew the shop was like that or if he made it and a bunch of stuff he may or may not have done or known.

Then a few thoughts came to me. Where did grandpas flowers come from? I don't remember him ordering or receiving flowers. Did he give me the necklace by coincidence? No, he wore the same one.

I have to go back, don't i?