Jack slouched against the reception counter, the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders. A deep sigh escaped him as he looked around the flower shop—a place that had been a constant in his life ever since his grandmother passed. It felt like his last connection to her, and now, it was slipping through his fingers. His gaze lingered on the wooden swing hanging from the ancient tree out front, the one his grandmother had placed there when he was a child. A small smile tugged at his lips, memories of summer afternoons spent swinging under the shade.

That moment of solace was broken when a familiar figure appeared at the edge of the cobblestone path. The man was practically oozing entitlement. He waddled up to the shop, his suit tight against his protruding belly, buttons straining like they were holding back a tidal wave. Jack couldn’t help but think, That’s some seriously strong fabric.

A hiss cut through the air as Clover, the shop’s black cat, leapt onto the counter, her hackles raised and her tail flicking irritably. Jack scratched the back of her ears, hoping to calm her.

“I know, Clover. I know,” Jack muttered under his breath, feeling the tension rise in his own chest.

The jingle of the bell above the door signaled the arrival of the unwelcome guest. Jack straightened up and forced a smile, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. Clover darted behind the counter, clearly not a fan of the new arrival.

“Good evening, Sir Walderberg. How can I help you?” Jack’s voice was tight with polite restraint.

The balding man sneered, giving Jack a once-over that was more of an insult than an appraisal. Jack fought the urge to return the look with a scowl. Walderberg was the landlord here—his family owned nearly everything in the area, and unfortunately, Jack’s shop sat right on the edge of his property.

“What I want, boy, is the rent that’s due,” Walderberg said, his voice dripping with disdain. “You’ve got a week, you know. What’s it gonna be? You have it, or should I start planning to evict you?”

“Sir, I—”

“Don’t bother. I already know the answer,” Walderberg interrupted, waving a dismissive hand. “You’re just like the rest. You’re out of time. Make sure you’re packed and ready by the end of the week.” With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the shop, his arrogant gait punctuated by his booming footsteps on the cobblestone.

Jack watched him go, frustration bubbling up in his chest. There was nothing he could do. Walderberg had made it clear: the rent was impossible to pay, and any loyal customers had long since been driven away by the man’s greed. The business was slowly draining him dry, and it was only a matter of time before he was forced to shut the doors for good.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Mew,” Clover’s soft meow brought Jack back to the present. She rubbed up against his legs, offering what little comfort she could.

Jack bent down and stroked her fur, a sad smile creeping onto his face. “Thanks, girl,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I think it’s time to call it quits. We’ll find somewhere small to stay, and I’ll save up for our own place one day, okay?”

He pushed open the door and stepped outside, the cool evening air hitting him with a gust of reality. The shop would soon be gone, replaced by whatever Walderberg had planned for the land. Jack sank into the swing, Clover hopping onto his lap as he stared at the horizon, lost in thought. The weight of the decision he knew he had to make—the end of an era—pressed down on him.

For a while, they sat there, the silence thick between them. He didn’t know where they’d go after the week was over. He had few friends left, and none of them were nearby. He couldn’t afford to leave town, anyway.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, and the breeze picked up, snapping Jack from his reverie. He glanced down to see Clover curled up in his lap, fast asleep. With a sigh, he stood up carefully, cradling her in his arms as he made his way back inside.

Once upstairs, he placed Clover gently on the bed and stared around at the room that had been his refuge for so long. It was small, but it was his. And it would soon be nothing more than a memory. He climbed into bed, trying to push the heavy thoughts out of his mind. Tomorrow, he’d start packing. Tomorrow, everything would change.

—

Jack was jolted awake by the sound of Clover’s frantic meows. He sprang from the bed and raced downstairs, his heart pounding in his chest. He found her in the back garden, her eyes wide with distress, her cries echoing in the quiet night.

“What is it, girl?” Jack whispered, looking around. It wasn’t long before he spotted the strange glow coming from between a patch of hyacinths—his grandmother’s favorite flower.

The glow was faint at first, but it pulsed, drawing him closer. Jack crouched down, being careful not to crush the delicate flowers, and saw what had caught Clover’s attention: a single hyacinth that seemed to glow from within. His breath hitched. Flowers didn’t glow.

He pinched himself, half-expecting this to be some kind of dream. When the sharp sting confirmed he was awake, he moved closer to the glowing flower, carefully plucking it from the ground.

The moment his fingers touched it, the flower blazed with light, nearly blinding him. Jack stumbled back, watching in awe as it transformed into an intricate jewel—shaped like a hyacinth, with blue gems that shimmered in the moonlight.

He held it up, the jewel glinting in the dim light. His grandmother had always said the blue hyacinth symbolized sincerity and care. Was this some sort of sign? His mind raced, trying to make sense of the impossible.

Without wasting another moment, Jack hurried inside, the jewel clutched tightly in his hand. He stood before the door, staring at the small groove in the knob. He slid the jewel into place, holding his breath. It fit perfectly. But nothing happened.

Jack frowned, his heart sinking. He had hoped for some grand revelation, but the only thing that had changed was the odd, quiet hum of the jewel. Disappointed, he sighed and made his way upstairs.

He didn’t notice the faint sparkles that danced off the jewel, nor the glint of knowing in Clover’s eyes as she watched him go to bed. She knew something he didn’t. Something had just begun, and Jack had no idea what was coming.