SCRATCH Vol.2

Part 2 - Act 1 The Discovery of Witches

"Crystals and sage are in the corner behind you," a bright yet raspy voice called out from Nicky's left. Nicky jumped slightly and turned to see a woman sitting behind the shop counter. Dressed entirely in black, from her silver-tipped leather boots, skinny jeans, to her flowing satin shirt, the woman would have completely disappeared in the shadowy corner of the room had it not been for her alabaster skin and shockingly red hair. It was a fiery shade of strawberry red, wound in tight curls that traveled down past her shoulders towards her elbows.

"I-I'm sorry," Nicky stammered. "What was that?"

"Amethyst, rose quartz, lapis lazuli," the shopkeeper crowed, a cloud of white smoke escaping her lips as she spoke. She leaned back on a tan leather office chair, her feet crossed and resting on the edge of the black marble countertop. Without looking up from the small paperback she had in her left hand, she raised her right, which still held onto the small black vape she had been smoking, and signaled past Nicky with a wag of her long index finger. "The crystals and stones are back there with the sage. Prices are marked."

"Oh..." Nicky looked behind her, confused. Just as the woman said, there was a small display of crystals, each sorted into little wicker baskets. Above them hung little bundles of sage, brown price tags attached at the stems, tied with wiry string. "I wasn't looking for crystals," Nicky mumbled, removing her beanie, the heat beginning to make her head itch. "At least I don't think so, anyway..." She shrugged at Ebony before returning her gaze towards the shopkeeper.

"Huh?" The woman looked up from her book, her mouth slightly ajar with the vape now resting on her bottom lip. She studied her customer for a second, taking a drag from the little black device before placing it back on the table.

"I was hoping to find something that could help lift curses," Nicky continued. She watched as the shopkeeper's lips curled into a lopsided grin, more white smoke escaping out of the side of her mouth. Seemingly out of nowhere, an enormous tabby cat appeared beside the woman, perching itself on a shelf ledge behind the counter. Its wispy tufts from its fluffy ginger and white coat almost had a flame-like appearance, dancing like fire whenever the cat moved. It stared at Nicky with copper-colored eyes as it lowered its head towards the woman's ear.

"Oh?" The woman raised her eyebrows and sat up. She peered over the counter and regarded Ebony, who had stepped between Nicky's legs. The black cat became statuesque, with her back slightly arched, and her eyes trained on the shopkeeper's familiar, unblinking. "You're right, Cal, she does have a familiar with her," she said, smirking at the ginger cat.

"That's OK, right?" Nicky stammered again, glancing down at Ebony. "I mean, she can be in here?"

"Of course," the shopkeeper laughed animatedly. "I just didn't take you to be an actual witch!" She stood up, her boots thudding heavily against the ground. "I figured you were one of those new-age yuppies looking for some 'positive vibes' and 'house-clearing' crystals. I get at least one of those a week." The woman smirked and took another drag from the little black vape in her hand. "I haven't seen you around these parts before, though," she added as she stepped out from behind the counter. Is she being cynical? Nicky wondered. Or is that just her thick New York accent? Her eyes darted at the stranger's familiar, the cat now sitting on the counter, straight-backed and still with its pointy ears pricked.

"Well, I'm from Maryland originally," Nicky explained, shoving her beanie into her pocket. She contemplated taking her coat off, feeling herself start to perspire, thanks to the store's toasty atmosphere. "But I've been abroad for a few years now. Actually, this is my first time in New York. The state, not just the city."

"Right... " the shopkeeper trained off, looking down her nose at Nicky. She cocked her head, studying Nicky with genuine curiosity."So. A curse, you say? What type of curse are we talking about? Pestilence? Ghosts? Demons? Alopecia?"