Flash Fiction Entries

The Book

The bookstore was dark and musty-smelling. That might seem bad to some but Jane loved it, and she loved the sound of the tinkling bell over the door as she pushed to close it completely. It must have been an old house before its resurrection to Timothy’s Treasures. Her fingers glided over broken spines, titles dulled with age.

“Can I help you find something?” He appeared from a hidden doorway without making a sound and stepped close to her in the narrow aisle between the stacks.

“No, I like to browse if you don’t mind. Antique bookstores are one of my favorite places.”

“Not a problem, just make sure you put everything back where you find it.”

Jane backed up and mistakenly stepped out of a shoe. She put her foot back into it and ducked around the corner. The man disappeared back through the curtained doorway, leaving her to it.

There was a collection of Edgar Allan Poe on the shelf with one of her all time favorites, The Black Cat. She pulled out the book and gasped as money started to fall from the freed leaves. Hundred dollar bills floated to the floor. Counting as she bent to retrieve them, they added up to $500. What to do? Should she pocket it? Buy the book? Tell the owner about the money? Were they even real? Jane could certainly use $500 with all the bills she had due.

As she wavered in her decision, the man reappeared at her side and glanced at the bills in her hand.

“I found these in this book,” she said as she handed them over. “I guess, technically, because I haven’t bought the book yet, they belong to you.”