Chapter 6: Super Powers

Seymour had been very busy with radio interviews, TV appearances and news broadcast. Sometimes, Clementine went along with him. She did not like the fact she was around the creepy plant, but she enjoyed the free food and hanging out with Seymour. The shop was booming, which was great except it left everyone exhausted. Audrey and Seymour seemed to be getting really close, much to Clem's delight. Audrey hadn't had a date with Orin in a while. She thought maybe her wish worked, but sometimes she felt guilty about wishing it even if Orin was a monster. All in all, things seemed to be improving.

One day, Clementine went to the shop early and right away knew something was off. Mr. Mushnik was not sitting on his usual stool reading the paper like he did every morning before opening. Clem called for him, but got no answer. Seymour appeared from his basement, looking pale and scared. He held a letter.

"Where's Mr. Mushnik?" Clementine asked carefully, fearing the worse.

"Um…he left a note..he's visiting his sister in Czechoslovakia. Family emergency." Seymour was sweating. Clementine didn't buy this but decided it must be one of those 'adult things' that would scare her if she knew the truth, so she dropped it. She figured she would find out later.

Audrey came in a bit later, and Seymour showed her the letter. Audrey was much more accepting and helped Seymour get some paper work together for the new day. Clem kept her mind busy by helping customers and gathering flowers for the window display. She noticed the plant had almost tripled in size and she nearly got sick at the sight of it. What was Seymour doing to it?

"Hhhungry…feed me" came a low hiss. Clementine's hair stood strait up when she realized it had came from the plant. She dropped the flowers she was holding and booked it to Seymour. Seymour, despite being surprised, hugged the shaking and sobbing girl.

"Clem, what's wrong?" He asked in a panic. He got down to Clem's level and held her shoulders. "Talk to me."

Clementine took a deep breath. "The plant talked!"

Seymour's face fell, his eyes emitted terror. Still, he remained composed. "W-what do you mean?"

"The plant, Audrey II, said 'feed me'! I swear!" Clem's green eyes were darting between Seymour and the Audrey II.

Seymour was quiet for a moment, then said carefully; "Clementine you know plants can't talk."

"I know, Seymour, but THIS one did!" She pointed, hoping the plant knew the jig was up. "Please believe me!"

Seymour finally relaxed and smiled, as if he just thought of something. "The plants talk to me too." He said gently, getting up.

Clem raised an eyebrow and tilted her head in confusion. "They do? All of them?"

"Oh, yes! Sometimes I hear them at night. They get thirsty or hungry and they always tell me when I need to care for them."

Clem looked suspiciously at the Audrey II. "Even Audrey II?"

"Even Twoey" Seymour nodded, using the plants nickname.

Clementine finally smiled. "Guess we have the same plant powers huh?"

"You bet, kiddo" Seymour laughed, tussling Clem's hair.

Clementine returned to her work, satisfied with the answer and even proud that she had the same affect on plants that Seymour did. She spent the rest of the day musing over what else the plants could say. She even pretended to talk to and for the various flowers, much to the amusement of Audrey. For now, the girl was more at ease than she had been in ages.

Over the next week, the shop was busier than ever. Clementine often wondered when Mr. Mushnik was coming back. Seymour did a fine job but he wasn't as organized as Mr. Mushnik. The shop was sometimes in chaos with missing or wrong orders or just too many people. Whenever Clem or Audrey asked, Seymour would get quiet and say 'he might be a while'. Clem just hoped he came back before customers tore the doors down.