Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

He’d been to Dresden Mills plenty of times before, but he didn’t remember this storefront. It was off the beaten path, down an alleyway. “Dance Street”. Beck honestly couldn’t remember why he had even come down this secluded street.

The sign out front said, “CALDWELL’S APOTHACARY” – “Potions, Tinctures, Elixirs, Tonics, and Magic Brews to cure whatever ails you!” The building looked like it was right out of a Hollywood movie set.

Entering, bells tingled, alerting to the presence of a customer. Looking around, it seemed like every square inch of the place was filled with antique bottles of all sizes and colors.

“Can I help you”?

Beck turned to see an older gentleman standing behind him. The man had white hair, a goatee, and piercing blue eyes with a smile that lit up his face. He was dressed in all black – a long coat and a top hat, and sort of reminded Beck of a cross between a 19th century undertaker and Coronel Sanders.

“Your storefront was intriguing, so I thought I’d check it out”.

“Forgive me for saying”, the gentleman quipped, “You seem like you could use a potion for your love life?”

Beck was shocked, as he and his girlfriend had just had a huge fight – that was why he was out for a drive.

The gentleman slipped behind the counter and produced a small lavender bottle. The label identified it as “Aphrodite’s Dream”.
It’s on special today - $1.25!

Beck paid for the potion and without saying another word, left the store.

Feeling odd, Beck stopped and glanced back. He was shocked to see that there was nothing at the end of the alley but a brick wall!
Maybe it was all a dream?

But the little lavender bottle was still in his hand!


(299 words)