Steady Rhythm

Don't Touch

The old man was staring intently into an opaque jar as they entered the shop. "Don't touch anything", he said in a monotone voice, as he kept rattling the jar. The collection of containers, books and knick-knacks strewn across every surface was enough to make Ben's eyes cross. He drew a steadying breath as Julie knocked on the doorframe. "Excuse me, sir?" The old man glanced at them briefly, before looking back into the jar. "Twelve", he stated. "Twelve what?", Julie replied. "There are only twelve dried newts left, I thought there should be thirteen!". Ben and Julie looked at eachother, mouths equally agape, before Julie frowned and tried again. "We need your help, sir. My friend's brother is in a coma, and we think it's because of an amulet he bought here." The jar met the table in a loud clank."That dark haired boy, in the red jacket?" The old eyes now trained on them in an unwavering stare made Ben shiver. He replied anyway, "Yes, sir. He was wearing it before he collapsed..." "The fool!""...uhm, what?" "Your foolish brother was never supposed to wear it himself! Now I'll have to erase his memory and start over." Ben and Julie stole another glance at eachother. Julie was the first to find her words, "Uhm, ...erase... his memory? How?"She'd barely finished the sentence before the old man pointed a shiny object at them. "Like this."



Notes ▼

Written for "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 

Prompt: “Don’t touch anything.”

Words: 236