After all my classes had finished, I picked up my helmet and keys from my dorm, and headed toward the parking lot. Sitting myself down on my sleek, black motorbike, I could see students and faculty gawking; it was clearly not the usual mode of transportation in these parts.

Though I knew I should have heeded the warnings, especially after my confrontation with Lyn, I just couldn’t let it go. I revved the engine, taking off through the cobblestone and dirt streets, following signs and memory, until I reached the town. I wondered if passing by so quickly on the road, I might miss the shop, but of the black doors set into the small brick houses and cottages, I spotted a flash of red up before me. I pressed on the brakes, pulling up in front of a shop with a bright, polished red door. 

Turning the key to stop the ignition, I dismounted my bike, tucking my helmet under my arm. I looked at the slightly smokey windows displaying ivy-like plants and jeweled toned glass bottles of remedies. 

When I opened the door to the shop, there was a faint tinkling of bells and the smell of lavender.

A warm voice called out, “Merry meet!”, pulling my gaze past shelves lined with displays of books, herbs, and crystals. A woman smiled at me from behind a wooden counter, setting a small stone grinding wheel down before wiping her dirt-smudged hands on her apron.

“We don’t see new faces often. Are you looking for anything in particular?” She leaned forward against the counter, loose dark curls falling forward around a vaguely familiar face. It didn’t take long to realize she must be Lyn’s mother; they shared a similar cast of features, though her bright and curious gaze was very different from Lyn’s dark, stormy glares. 

I found myself stuttering as I said awkwardly, "I uh… actually, I'm looking for Lyn." 

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she pressed her hands down against the wooden counter. “Normally I would be happy to meet a friend, but I’m sure you can understand it’s been a rough couple of days. I hope you’re here with good intentions.” Her welcoming tone had turned into something frosty, a subtle warning in her frown. “Lyn doesn’t need any more trouble.”

I cast my eyes downward, tapping my fingers on the smooth surface of my helmet. "To be honest, ma'am, I'm afraid I was one of those people." I quickly added, seeing her eyes widen, "But that's why I'm here. I want to apologize to Lyn. I was in the wrong and I said some things… well, that I want to apologize for." 

She watched me in silence for a few long, heavy moments before heaving out a sigh. “These rumors are a plague on this town,” she grumbled. Despite her muttering, her face had softened, though she still seemed a little guarded. “I appreciate you coming here to make things right. Lyn’s a good kid, he deserves nothing but the best- and he could use a friend in this mess.” 

I nodded, brushing my blond curls out of my face, rather sheepishly. "I can understand how difficult it must be to seemingly have everyone against you. I think I made Lyn feel like I was just like everyone else, against him. But I don't want to be. I was looking for answers, but in the wrong way." I laughed lightly in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm telling you all this." 

She shook her head, the smile back on her face. “Don’t apologize. I’m happy to hear your thoughts, and it’s nice to hear that somebody else can see the good in Lyn.” Pulling back from the counter, she glanced up to a clock on the wall above a door that led further into the back of the store. “He should be here soon. I can make tea while you wait, if you’d like. And you can start earning my trust by telling me your name.” 

"Ah, I'm sorry. My name is Ethan. Ethan Lennox. And tea would be lovely, thank you ma'am." I stood there awkwardly, looking around the room. "Can I ask what this shop mainly sells? I've never seen anything like it." 

“I’m not surprised; modern medicine has created enough superstitions to put most of us out of business. Not that I mind it- vaccines and medicines have their place, like everything else, and there are some things I would only trust to a licensed doctor. But I prefer natural healing, when it’s possible, and that’s what we’re here for. Everything here is meant to heal… in one way or another.” She paused, running her fingers over some of the glass bottles lined up in neat rows on the shelves which were built into the wall behind her. “In other places they might say we’re a store for witches. But it’s not much more than a simple apothecary.”

'Witches?' I thought, remembering what Lyn had said this morning. "Do you offer...spells? I don't mean to pry, I have nothing against the occult. I'm just curious how much truth there is to things like...that." I found my mouth was dry, a deep swallow hopefully not giving me away. 

“Curious?” She turned to look at me, eyebrows raised. “Because you don’t believe? Or because we go about it a different way than you do?”

I blinked at her, my lips parting slightly. "I…"

Before I could think what to say politely, the doorbell chimed as it opened. I looked up, my jaw clenching as I saw Lyn standing there, his hair wild and his eyes furious at me. 

"Lyn," I said, my heart suddenly racing, "I was waiting for you."