Sitting comfortably in his rocking chair behind his counter, Magnus observed three children browsing through his shop window. He rocked. Keeping in time, like the pendulum swinging from side to side in the century old grandfather clock. Still ticking like, well...like clockwork. Magnus rocked back and forth as Mozart played out through the old gramophone, crackling from its poorly kept condition. The children couldn't see very far into the shop, as it was unlit and sunlight scarcely shone in, yet they were determined to pry and puzzle to the exact function of this building, which only up until yesterday was barren and uninhabited. But out of nowhere, somebody had bought the place, set up and seemed ready for business in only an hour's time. Sadly, they would be in bed before it opened.

Two of the kids strolled off, their curiosity exhausted for today. Magnus cocked his head to the side, as the last child, about 4 years old, waved at him. Could he see him? Maybe the lad had caught the glint of his white mask. Stopped rocking, Magnus sat forward like some doll waiting to be played with, the sorcerer returned the wave, but he forgot to put his black gloves on. The child turned as pale as his mask, for what he saw was not a human hand. Pink, wriggling spaghetti-like fingers writhed and lurched, unable to keep still. Worms.

Magnus realising his exposure, looked at his hand, well...what sort of looked like a hand. Only to then hear a small cry from outside. By the time his gaze returned to the window, the boy was gone. There was feeling of content, Magnus would have smiled. If he had a face. It was time to open shop.

Rising up from the chair, his robes dragged along the floor as the mass of vermin motioned to the centre of his store. 'Vornakin's Bag of Tricks and other Magical Needs' grand opening. Announcing an incantation of unknown origin, eight will-o-wisps appear along the ceiling, their orange glows illuminating the small room. Vials, test tubes, crates of varying shapes and sizes, were organised and scattered. Containers with ingredients from eye of newt to tongue of dog were packed together in buy 1 get second half price. Bargains...to anyone with reasonable intellect. Though setting shop in the slums of the city probably wasn't the best location for that. But the advantages meant that if there were creatures of the night that required his services, they would firstly; have to actively search for it. Secondly, business could be dealt with discretion and confidentiality.

Magnus sat back on his chair, hands crossed on his lap. Everything was in place.

RATE THIS CHAPTER!