A/n: Sorry for abandoning you for a long time. My life has kind of sucked these past few weeks, but things appear to be getting better. Thanks for waiting!

Chapter 34

The next day, I went into work feeling quite happy. It was a beautiful morning for the month of March. The sun actually decided to peak out from behind the clouds today and it had stopped raining. As I stepped out of the taxi, I took in a deep breath of the fresh smelling air. Daisha stood outside with Isabel, chatting about whatever they were interested in. When they saw me, they both smiled and waved. "Good morning, girls. Isn't this weather so much nicer?" I asked as I unlocked the store and walked in.

"Much better." Daisha said as she walked by me to the back room. "Tanya, next week is the end of spring break and Isabel and I will only be able to work on weekends and select days after school. Are you going to be okay managing this place by yourself?"

"We'd hate to leave you here without any extra hands." Isabel said as she came out of the back room with an apron on.

"That is fine, girls. I managed this place by myself for quite some time before I met you too and I know I can do it again." I answered as I drew up the blinds in the front window. With one quick gaze around the shop, I knew this place needed some spring cleaning. "Okay, go grab the broom and dusters and get to work on cleaning this place up a bit. We are going to clean up shop a little before opening and I think we need to rearrange this place, somewhat. What do you think?" Both of the teens nodded in agreement and set to work.

By the time for opening, the store had a new look and was ready for the day. The morning rush of customers came, but after that things were unusually slow. A few customers would sometimes come in and straggle around for a while, but today there were practically none. Lunch time rolled around and we still hadn't seen very many people. Daisha and Isabel had come out of the back room thirty minutes ago to see how I was doing and ended up keeping me company while we waited.

"Ugh... where are all the people?" Daisha groaned from the stool sat at the front of the shop. "It isn't exciting to just wait around for those customers. I want to say 'Hello. Welcome to Hyacinth Corner. May I help you?'"

"Me too. The phone hasn't even rung once." Isabel said. She stood next to me, resting her head on her hands as she stared at the door as if her eyes could make it open and have someone walk in. "Tanya, where do you think everybody is? What if they evacuated the city because of a bomb threat?"

"Then we're officially screwed."

"Way to be the happy ray of sunshine, Daisha." I said sarcastically. I looked up at the clock one last time and decided it was time for lunch. "Why don't you two go and get something for us to eat? It is probably a whole lot more exciting than waiting for customers." Both of them quickly ran to get their stuff and I handed Daisha the money as she walked by. "Just choose something and bring it back, alright?"

"We know, we know." Isabel said, backing out the door. "It shouldn't take us too long. Hopefully we get some business while D and I are out." With those final words, I was left alone. A sigh escaped my lips as I let my forehead hit the counter top. Seriously?! We have been doing so well these last few weeks and just today, just today, things are slower than a snail moving through molasses in the winter time. As if things couldn't make this day any worse, it began to rain. Again. Nature, why do you do this to me? It was such a lovely day just hours ago and now it is back to the soggy limp noodle it had been yesterday.

Ring, ring. I quickly stood up and looked to see who had entered the shop. It was a man with black chin stubble that was wearing a big black coat. He perused the front window displays and moved on to the bouquet refrigerator. Finally! I got myself together and walked over to see if he needed any help. As I neared him, something went off in my mind that I was entering dangerous territory, but I brushed it off as nothing but me feeling down about not having very many customers a few minutes ago. "Hello, sir. Are you looking for anything specific?"

The man turned and looked at me with a confused expression. "Um..." he started. "Do you have any bouquets with those Hawaiian flowers? The really pretty ones."

"Hibiscus?" I asked. The man nodded his head. "Give me just a second and I'll go check the back room." I felt a little wary as I left the man standing there and went to see if the refrigerator had any hibiscus bouquets. As I looked up and down the shelves, I didn't realize the shadow that had crept up behind me. Just as I found a single bouquet, a cloth with a weird smell was pressed over my nose. I tried to scream, but a hand was placed over my mouth. Slowly, I began to fade out of consciousness and just before I conked out completely, I saw the face of the customer I had been helping grin evilly above me.

A/n: Whoa! What is going on!? I didn't warn you? I'm sorry, but I forgot. Review, my lovely readers!