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“Sorry, we’re cl-” The plea in her eyes gave me pause. What harm could another human pose? We were all just trying to survive day to day.
“Come in,” I relented, letting her slip inside before locking the door once more.
“I know you’re closed, but I’m meeting someone special today,” she explained earnestly. “I hoped to find a romantic bouquet...”
Her wistful expression tugged at my heart. “I’m a bit overwhelmed with orders,” I hedged, “but please, look around.”
I started to move past her when the blood drained from the woman’s face, eyes fixated over my shoulder. I whirled to see the anomalous flower still sitting out. Cursing myself, I swept it out of sight.
“Sorry, that’s a private order,” I muttered, forcing a smile.
“It’s gorgeous! I don’t think I’ve ever seen its equal,” the woman breathed, an odd hunger in her eyes now. “Might I take a peek at that private commission?”
“Oh, I’m afraid not. You see, that particular flower is...sensitive to light,” I lied awkwardly. “I can only expose it briefly every few hours. It’s quite rare.”
The woman’s head canted, studying me closely. “How strange. I’m a scientist, and I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
I blinked in surprise. “A scientist? Here on Thodos III?”
“Dr. Jocelyn Callister,” she announced proudly, puffing up as she offered her hand. “A pleasure to meet a fellow human business owner.”
I shook it warily. If she was a legitimate researcher, perhaps she could help unravel the mystery. But subtly probing for clues felt wisest before trusting her.
“Have you ever encountered anything emerging from extinction in your work?” I asked casually.
Jocelyn gazed upward thoughtfully. “Occasionally, but it’s exceptionally rare for a damaged ecosystem. When one piece falls out of balance, the rest often follow.” She shook her head ruefully. “Just look at Earth.”
I nodded along, hoping for more insight. “But what if something did return? What would the protocol be to contain or study it?”
“Keep it from collectors, I suppose,” she replied grimly. “Some pursue rare finds violently.”
My blood ran cold at the thought of trigger-happy aliens attacking my shop. As if I needed more trouble.
“Well, lovely chatting, but I must be off,” Jocelyn said briskly, passing me a business card. “If you find any more of those exquisite blossoms, do contact me.”
“Of course, I...” I trailed off as the door whisked shut behind her vanishing form, only now realizing she left empty-handed.
I reopened sometime later, unable to deny paying customers despite my misgivings. My muscles knotted with tension as the mysterious influx continued. I felt trapped, overwhelmed by climbing anxiety as closing time neared.
Just then, the portal whisked open to reveal Draven’s imposing form gilded in neon from the promenade behind him. I rushed to lock the entrance before facing him anxiously.
“Are you all right?” Draven asked, concern creasing his forehead. “You seem on edge.”
I raked a shaky hand through my hair. “You have no idea. My customer traffic today has shot through the roof. I know something sinister is happening here.”
Draven appeared puzzled. “Increased business is good, no?”
I groaned in frustration. “You don’t get it. My shop never draws crowds like this. I think it’s tied to that damned flower somehow.”
Understanding lit his piercing eyes. “I see. Has anything worrisome happened besides the influx?”
Jocelyn’s odd visit lingered on my tongue before I swallowed it down. No sense causing Draven to harass some random human scientist over my unfounded paranoia.
“No, nothing concrete at least,” I muttered, wrapping my arms around myself and shivering despite the warmth inside. “Mostly, I’m just scared out of my mind at this point.”
Draven moved closer, his commanding presence steadying me somewhat. “Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll spend more time around the shop as added protection until we get to the bottom of this.”
I blinked at him in surprise. “You’d do that? Don’t you have a business to run?”
