Hi guys, we're almost halfway done with this arc!

Deuce and Claire have to do some shopping, but it shouldn't be too hard, right? XD

Enjoy!

Chapter 10:

Their destination turned out to be a modest-looking red brick store with a large purple top hat sign out front that read 'Mr. S's Mystery Shop' in yellow. Painted on the sign was a white skull wearing its own black top hat. The store looked like a second-hand pawn shop, not a place to go pick up a cup of sugar and some eggs.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Claire asked tentatively, eyeing the random pottery and candelabras lying in the front like a yard sale.

"Yes, this is the school store," Deuce said, "It may look weird, but Sam has everything that you may need or want."

"Everything?" Claire raised an eyebrow.

"That's the claim," Deuce said and shrugged his shoulders. "When I went in last time, someone came to pick up a mummy."

"A mummy?!" Claire wondered if she heard that correctly. "Why would someone need a mummy?"

Deuce merely shrugged his shoulders again and opened the door. There was a small tinkling bell that rang throughout the store and soft jazz was being played.

The inside looked like a cross between an apothecary and taxidermy with its soft dim lights and clutter of random items. Barely a second passed, and Claire had already spotted a crystal ball, some alchemy scales, crystal skulls, and thick old grimoires crammed into the groaning bookshelves. One of the ledges had a treasure chest that was overflowing with jewelry and fake gold coins. Against the wall stood an upright piano with its lid busted open, overflowing with strange gimmicks.

But despite the disarray and clutter of unusual items, there was something magical in the air that made the hair on the back of Claire's neck stand up.

"Hey, bay-bee! Welcome to Mr. S's Mystery Shop!"

Claire and Deuce jumped at the vibrant voice, and a young man in his mid-twenties popped out of thin air from behind the counter.

His dark skin was painted with white skeleton bones like an x-ray film; even his neon purple shirt was decorated with white rib markings. Around his neck was a set of crocodile teeth strung together into a necklace.

"What can I do for y'all today? A charm to protect you in uncharted lands? A mummy of an ancient king? A bracelet to make you undetectable? Oh! I got some cursed tarot cards that just came in."

Claire stared in disbelief as each item popped into the man's hands and then magically disappeared like a magic trick.

"Oh, wait a minute! Deuce!" The proprietor's magenta eyes widened with recognition. "Nice to see you again. And you must be Claire – the new student here at our school. Your name precedes you, you know," he added, seeing the surprise look on her face.

Claire said 'hello' and gave a small bow as she stared at Sam with cautious curiosity. His matching dark maroon top hat and undertaker tailcoat made him look like one of those street vendors who tried to haggle out every penny from your pocket, but the way he stared at her in an 'all-knowing' way that made her wonder if Sam was more than what he claimed to be.

"What can I do for you two today?" he asked in a festive accent with a light-hearted step to it.

"We're here to pick up some ingredients." Deuce pulled the list out of his pocket and slid it across the counter.

"What? What?" Sam said, turning his attention to the list. "Eggs, whipping cream… Whoo, what sweet line-up." He winked cheerfully at them though Claire didn't return the enthusiastic smile.

"I got everything here. Give me just a second." Sam hummed as he quickly headed to the back of the shop.

"See, told you he has everything," Deuce mumbled under his breath.

"Oh Deuce, a request," Sam said, poking his head out from the back, "I have some packages out back that need to be brought into the storage room. Can you help? Shouldn't take long. I'll even knock a couple of madols from your next order here."

"Sure, same thing as last time?" Deuce said, already removing his blazer jacket.

"Of course. In the meantime, me and the young lady will get the items packed."

"I'll be just a minute," Deuce said quickly as Claire raised an eyebrow and hurried out the front door, leaving her alone in the strange shop with the strange shopkeeper.

"Right, I'll get the items for you!" Sam said, clapping his hands together. He made no attempts for small talk and simply hummed as he grabbed the items from the stockroom and placed them neatly into the bags on the counter. Milk and eggs went into two bags while fruit cans and aluminum cups went into one.

"Thank you," Claire said as soon as the last item was placed and watched as Sam folded the top flap closed. "I'll check to see if Deuce needs help." She quickly turned to the front door and was about to turn the doorknob when she heard his voice – this time, a more sinister tone.

"Why, Miss. Since you are here, are ya sure you don't want anything for yourself? Something ya really want?"

Sam's elbows were propped on the table, his chin on his hands. The shadows around the store seemed to grow longer and larger as though they had a mind of their own. His head tilted forward slightly so that the brim of his top hat and his black-and-purple dreads covered his magenta eyes, but she could still see that wide grin peeking out.

A mysterious feeling filled the air, and Claire's heart started to pound.

She managed to control her churning emotion and spoke in her most deadpan voice. "As tempting as a piano may sound" – she glanced over at the broken large instrument – "I don't think I need one."

"Ha, I love your snark," Sam chuckled. He stood up and leaned against the wall now. "But you're avoiding the question. I know about your predicament, and, as I mentioned, my shop carries many things – any trinket and ancient artifact from all over the world. I'm sure when Deuce introduced you to this place, the thought crossed your mind – what item does dear old Uncle Sam have to take you back home?"

So, he knows too. Did Cro- the Headmaster tell him? There was a long silence, one that Sam would not break. Slowly, Claire walked to the counter until she was standing face-to-face.

"No," she said quietly.

"No?" For the first time, Sam's 'all-knowing' eyes were filled with surprise.

"No," she repeated. "What I want is information: Who sent me here? How did they do it? And why?" She leaned in closer and returned with her own wide grin. "Judging by your face, perhaps that slogan of yours was embellished quite a bit." Without waiting for a response, she got up and headed to the door.

"Is that more important than going back home?"

She stopped and turned once more. Sam sounded genuinely astonished at her response.

"If I was sent here without my knowing then what are the chances that it would happen again?" she said though it wasn't really a question. "Besides, Cro- the Headmaster is helping me on this."

"Ya dodging the question again, Miss. Don't you want it? The way back home?" His voice was calm, echoing the cluttered shop. Claire knew that he knew that the temptation was too real.

"You're a businessman. If you knew a way back, you would've told Cro- the Headmaster unless you have a good reason not to," Claire said finally. "And what you're offering" – her face turned dark, and she shook her head – "It sounds like it would be too high of a price to pay."

There was a long silence as the statement hung in the air, and then Sam suddenly busted out laughing. Immediately, the ominous air vanished, returning to the shop in its calm but mysterious vibe.

"Forgive me," he said to the stunned look on Claire's face. "But I think you are the second I've encountered who fully understands how dangerous it can be to make a deal. Ya would've been a worthy opponent for the Sea Witch."

It sounded like it was supposed to be a compliment, but Claire didn't take it as such.

"Well, just to clear the air, you're right on the money. Uncle Sam here don't know the way back home or who brought ya here," he said with a wave of his hand, "Even my friends from the other side have been quiet on the subject. I was merely curious as to why you didn't bring it up after Deuce left. But I may have a theory to this mystery, so let me give you this freebie clue for amusing me so much."

"Freebie?" Claire raised an eyebrow.

He gave another one of his secretive smiles. "Ya say you came from another world and that you don't belong here, but what if that's not completely true?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked exasperated with all the unneeded mysteries and secrecies. "The Dark Mirror said that I am not from this world, and I know that I'm not."

Sam shook his head and merely tapped the side of his head lightly with his index finger. "Ya thinking is constrained with what ya remember. The Dark Mirror can see into the soul of every living being, but the soul is not a stationary object. It travels and changes based on the decisions put forth before you. What if your soul's home has changed as well? What does the Dark Mirror see then?"

"Sam, I finished with the packages," Deuce announced as the shopkeeper bell rang, and just like that, the mysterious tension disappeared from the air.

"Ooo, excellent!" Sam returned to his salesman persona and acted as if nothing had happened. He quickly handed over the receipt and change. "I've made a note to give ya a discount next time. BUT, if you order this floating platter to carry your purchases, I'll give you a 30% discount for this order."

"That won't be necessary," Deuce said hastily as Sam showed them a shiny (and rather expensive-looking) plate. He and Claire quickly grabbed the bags and hurried out.

"Make sure you come again! Bye-bye!" Sam called out. He smiled and waved from behind the counter as the door closed behind them.

Author's Notes

Oh man, it looks like the situation has gotten curiouser and curiouser. (like my Alice in Wonderland reference?)

So, we got a 'maybe' clue on what's going on with Claire, but it will be a while before things get explained. In fact, things just might become more and more mysterious as we move forward.

See you guys on Friday! And to all who are celebrating, Happy Thanksgiving!

-JD