Chapter 29: Memories
"This is the best store in this place," Argent said as he led Matthew into a store tucked between two larger ones. The entrance was narrow and dimly lit, with a small glowing sign that flickered overhead. Inside, the lighting was red and low, which made immediately made Matthew frown. It felt more like a lounge than a storefront.
Then the smell hit him immediately. Thick. Heavy. Like a wet stone and something decaying. His steps slowed.
"This place is disgusting," the ghost girl muttered beside him. "It smells like rotten flesh."
Matthew didn’t respond, but he agreed. The aura here was heavy. It pushed down on his shoulders, making it harder to breathe. That same dark pressure he’d felt around certain ghosts was present here—but stronger. Sadly, he couldn’t see any ghosts around.
Shelves were lined with glass containers, stone fragments, labeled powders, and small black boxes sealed with wax. A few jars had things floating in them. Matthew couldn’t tell what it was.
Matthew eyed the blond woman that was already standing behind the counter. She had flawless skin, long legs, and a body that didn’t match the gloom of the store. Her red dress clung tightly to her frame as she stepped forward.
"Dear customers," she said as she smiled at them. "What can I get you today? I can sell you anything."
"She smells like him," the ghost girl whispered. "Same as Argent. Rotten. I don’t like her."
Argent stepped closer to the counter. "Got anything new?"
The blond tilted her head. "We always have something new. You’ll need to be more specific."
Matthew stayed silent, his eyes scanning the store. He had never seen this place in his past life. The layout, the lighting, the woman—it was all unfamiliar. He knew most of the old shops by the time he had reached this level in his previous life. But this store didn’t exist. Or if it had, it was long gone before he arrived.