I WALKED DOWNTOWN. It was exhausting yet engaging at the same time. Walking was like therapy, calming one's mind. But the most effective cure for stress was food. Nothing could beat food when it comes to stress relieving!
When I arrived at the coffee shop I was talking about, I imagined it as lively—- if not majestic. The design and art posted on social media told me it should be. However, I was wrong. The moment my feet entered the shop, it was rather gloomy. I almost thought I entered the wrong shop.
The shop didn't even have a single customer inside. The articles might be exaggerating. Where was the 'people lined up every day' thing written on the reports?
"Hi! Good morning! What can I get for you?"
I moved forward until I reached the counter. The one who greeted me was a middle-aged woman. She was smiling, but her eyes showed fatigue.
I looked at the menu on top behind her. "Two Caffe mochas," I said. "And five pieces of macarons."
"On it."
I sat down while I waited for my order to finish. I readied my patience because I knew this would take longer. She was the only person here, after all.
While waiting, I skimmed all the magazines the table could offer. When I got bored, I scanned my phone. Then, when I felt like the woman would take forever, the window suddenly shattered, startling me.
I stood up and turned to look outside. Several children were standing there. Some were even throwing stones continuously.
The heck?!
"Witch!"
"Evil witch!"
"Killer! Murderer!"
"Get out of this town!"
"You're not welcome here!"
Those children continued spurting curses. I couldn't believe it! How did their parents teach them?! They have no manners whatsoever! And damn! I couldn't believe people in this town still practised this method to humiliate someone. Where were we?! The 18th century?! Dang, we have laws!
Pissed off, I took the vase on the table. I would smack these children until they learn what manners mean! And if given the chance, I would extend it to their parents!
"No, please! Don't!"
I felt a hand gripped my arm, the one that was holding the vase. I looked behind me and saw the middle-aged woman shaking her head with a pale face. Then, the children outside, on the other hand, shouted 'witch' before running away.
"This is clearly a crime!" I exclaimed. "Children or not, they have to pay for this!"
"No, please, don't." She stopped me from getting my phone. I was about to call the cops. But this woman didn't let me. "There's no need to get angry over these small matters," she took a deep breath, "I—- you're—- your orders are complete. You can take them now."
I frowned. I unhurriedly let go of the vase, allowing it to reach the floor. The shattering noise it produced made the woman wince. But she didn't look back. She proceeded towards the counter, put my orders into a paper bag, and smiled at me.
"Here's your order," she said, handing me the paper bag.
I didn't take it right away. I looked around. The mess those children made was making me angry. It only made me not to have children in the future resolutely! Those children in the monastery were more pleasing to the eye than those children with parents!
Then, slowly, I reached out to the woman. I didn't take my order, though. Instead, I asked, "Are you a witch?" My expression was earnest. If ordinary people were the ones who heard it, they might take me as a crazy girl.
The woman paled again.
"Even if you are," I continued, "there's no need to let those people treat you like this. We have a law! Don't stress yourself out because you're a witch or people think you are!" Especially when she didn't do anything evil. I didn't want to judge her—- if she was good or bad—- but if she could let those children be, she might be a good one. Or maybe she would curse those children?
Alright, alright. I would believe my instinct this time.
She trembled. Then, she slumped on the seat. I had to get inside the counter to see her. Once I did, I saw her hiding her face in her palm, crying her heart out.
"It's my fault," she muttered. "It's all my fault!"
My expression turned solemn. "Madam, what is it?" I squatted, rested my hands on her legs, and waited for her to tell the tale.
She shook her head. "My dear," she smiled, "You are too kind. But there is no need to call the police for this. I have sinned. And so, I have to bear the consequences of my action."
"Who in this world didn't sin?"
She patted my hands. "No one. But I will accept this as retribution."
The middle-aged woman didn't tell the tale. And I didn't want to be forceful. Regardless, I would never let those children and their parents unscathed. I went to the police station to report. And who would've thought—- they dismissed me!
Oh, I could feel my cheek burning from anger!
"You're supposed to give us proper service!" I exclaimed. "And this—- whatever this is that you're doing—- is not proper in any way!"
The officers gave me a look. Then, they shook their heads before continuing whatever work they had on their phones and computers.
The nerve! They ignored me!
Fortunately, a female officer took me somewhere and gave me cold water to calm down. "I still think you guys are scams," I told her. "Why are you ignoring the lady? Her shop's in a mess because of those children. Others would think it is okay to do so since none of you are doing something."
The female officer sighed. "It's not that we didn't want to do something about it, but we couldn't."
"Why?"
She looked around and whispered, "That woman is a witch and the mastermind of all the killings happening here lately."
Dumfounded, I retorted, "That's superficial!"
The female officer shook her head. "It's not," she leaned further. "I believe you've been out of town recently, right?"
I nodded.
"We didn't want to believe something foolish as that. We are the police. We're supposed to lock down criminals. However, this case—-" she paused. And reluctantly, she added, "this is beyond our control, something we have no power over. We've lost some of our comrades already because of that woman."
"What do you mean?" This was getting sketchy.
She tapped my shoulders. "I cannot give you the full details. If you want to know more, ask around. And please, don't leave your home at night. It's dangerous." She left me after that.
Do you know what was worse? Leaving me unanswered! But since I couldn't get any information from these people, I left the police station.
I've been a walking dead since then. My mind wandered off, thinking about the female officer's words. The woman at the shop—- was she a real witch? And a bad one at that? Since time immemorial, my instinct never failed me. But this time, it did. That was surprising! I still couldn't get over that fact.
"You look confused—- and shocked. What happened?"
I stilled. Looking up beside me, I saw Magnus, with his half-hearted, gentle smile, gazing at me with interest.
"Can you not appear before me like a ghost?" I scolded him—- gently. "What if I have a heart attack? Will you pay for that life I lost?"
"I will die with you," he answered. "You can mark my words."
I rolled my eyes. "What will that do?" I sighed. "Do you want one?" I offered him my drink. Mind you, I didn't drink that yet.
"Sure!"
He took the drink excitedly. His face brightened.
I handed it to him reluctantly. Did he love coffee, too? I thought he did, but along the way, he didn't even drink it.
"Urk, do you like that or not?" I pointed at the coffee. If he didn't like it, I could drink it. Wasting money and food were forbidden in my dictionary!
Magnus's grip on the coffee tightened. "I like it." I was about to let it go when he added, "You gave it to me, so I love it."
Dang! Cringe! My face reddened in embarrassment! Yes, embarrassment!
When I saw a bench, I didn't hesitate to sit on it. Walking was tiring, mind you.
Magnus sat beside me. And he was too close for my comfort. I wanted to tell him that, but the innocent look on his face made me crumble. He looked… cute? Fine, let him be!
"The one in the shop—-" I hesitated a bit. "The new shop near downtown…. Is she a witch? The owner?" I hoped he knew what I was talking about. I didn't want to explain who that was or the location and the appearance of that coffee shop. I couldn't even remember the name of the shop!
"Why?" Magnus's eyes turned cold instantly. "Did she do something to you?"
"No!" I said. "She looked kind. So I couldn't believe when I heard she's behind the killings in this town."
"Not exactly her," said Magnus cooly. "But she was the cause of it."
"Why? What happened?"
Magnus looked at my face. Then, he showed me his palm. "I'll tell you if you hold my hand." His eyes twinkled. He was really anticipating it.
My mouth twitched. Where was the vase again? I want to smack it on him instead!