Title:     Gwendolyn’s Goth Shop

Author: Chandra Leigh Cook

Date:  November 19, 2019

Prompt:  A picture of an old Gothic style building with a winding staircase

Triggers:  Vampire bats, vampires, warlocks, witches, fairies, nymphs and excitement

Authors Notes:  In this short story I have included good and evil beings.  Many of the supernatural beings are in fact good and trying to battle the evil beings.  I think it is actually like that in real life, but that is just my opinion.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

 

 As I pushed my long white hair out of my light blue eyes, I continued to unpack the beautiful Victorian Gothic style dresses in my newly purchased shop.  It was definitely a dream that had come true that I had been able to purchase this luxurious Gothic style building with a quaint but stylish two bedroom apartment upstairs.  The building had been designed in the traditional Gothic style complete with a pointed roof and a large turret on the left side.  When the real estate agent showed it to me, it seemed to call my name.  It was somehow strangely familiar to me.  The ceilings were vaulted throughout and the walls were encased in river stone.  It had been both a bargain and a blessing even though I had to sell my home in Vale, North Carolina and travel over 450 miles to a small town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania called Oakmont.  I was very excited but also a little scared and sad because I had left my two adult sons in North Carolina so I could fulfill my longtime dream.  My husband of 20 years had died suddenly 2 years ago with a massive heart attack leaving me with a modest insurance settlement.  I also sold the home we had shared for 20 years to obtain just enough money for me to purchase this small shop and apartment.

 I didn’t know anyone in Pennsylvania, but I had an unexplained feeling of deja vu.  I had sold my Victorian Gothic fashion online for 10 years, but I had never had enough money to actually buy a building to sell them in, much less one with this beauty and style.  Oakmont was just a stone’s throw from Pittsburgh, so hopefully I would get some shoppers that resided there as well because Oakmont only has a population of just over 6000.  My online business should carry me over for a little while until my little shop becomes more popular, but not for long.   I have always been a strong believer in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and I was strongly relying on my faith right now. I prayed with my pastor and congregation before moving to Pennsylvania and I strongly believed I had God’s blessing.   

It was a dark, rainy day in July and I was thankful I had gotten all the boxes unloaded the day before.  Now all I had to do was unpack the inventory, design my shop, and dress my mannequins in the window.  I had my old time rock and roll music playing and I was even dancing a little around the shop when I heard a loud banging at the shop door.  I wasn’t going to answer it but I wanted to make a good impression on the local people so I reluctantly went to the door.  The man standing in front of it had a perfectly chiseled face, as if it had been painted by an artist and attached to his body.

 “Excuse me, he said with a beautiful smile,   I saw the light on and wanted to meet my new neighbor.  Allow me to introduce myself, I am Bartholomew Duncan and I own the little bar two blocks from your shop on Allegheny Avenue.” 

“Hi I stammered. I am Gwendolyn Gavin.  It is nice to meet you.  I would love to invite you in but I am really busy right now.  I hope to open my new shop in a few days and I am really burning the midnight oil.” 

He looked surprised that I didn’t jump at the chance to spend time with him, but politely left and told me to please come to his bar for good food, drinks, and fellowship as soon as I got settled.  As I watched him walk away, I felt a little relieved because even though he was strikingly handsome, he was also a little abnormal looking with pale white skin and jet black hair.  I know the weather here is not as warm as it is in North Carolina but didn’t he ever go outdoors?  It was exactly 12 o’clock when I made it upstairs to my bed.  Thank goodness I made the bed earlier today because I was bone tired.  I hurriedly took out my contacts and washed my face, then collapsed in my bed pulling up the covers with just my eyes visible.  I had a night light burning in the corner and I felt safe and secure as I drifted off to sleep.  I had only been asleep a short time when I heard a noise outside of my window.  I jumped up and opened the blind to see a very large bat sitting on the turret of the roof to the far left.  I slammed the blind shut and shivered as I climbed back into bed.  I felt eerie and scared but I had to be strong because I was on my own now for the first time in many years.

When I woke up the next morning the sun was shining through the blinds and reflecting a rainbow of colors on my bedroom wall.  I felt like this was a good sign and an approval from God, which gave me back the courage that I needed to get out of bed and dive in to the boring task of unpacking and organizing my new apartment.  I wondered if the bat I visualized or possibly dreamed about last night was still out there, but then I realized bats only come out at night and decided to put all of that behind me.  I had always wondered if I was some kind of supernatural being because I had visions of the future in my dreams, maybe I was a seer.   However, I knew I was not evil because I had a strong belief in God and Jesus Christ both from my teachings and personal experiences.  I saw angels when I was a child with my grandma and I have always talked to my own guardian angel.  I also could will things to happen sometimes.  I can pray for rain or healing and most of the time it actually came true.  

My late husband had thought it was because I believed so strongly and without question.  He had said, “You have the faith of a child dear.”  I think it might be more than that; maybe something supernatural in me. I have always had long white hair and a ballerina type figure without effort.  My adopted mom attributed it to good genes but I knew better.  I would cut my hair and in a year’s time it would grow back just as long as it had been.  I had a chocolate addiction but no matter how much I ate, I stayed the same weight, never tipping the scale over 110 pounds.  These were just a few things I attributed to the supernatural in me.

Because I didn’t know who my real parents were, I was unable to find out my family history first hand and I didn’t trust the websites that claimed they could do it for me.  Maybe I was afraid to find out because I didn’t pursue it before and I didn’t want to pursue it in the near future.     

I put away the essentials, got dressed in my best Victorian Gothic satin dress with lace around the collar and sleeves, then topped it off with my black tie up boots, and headed out to find breakfast.   I wore my shop’s inventory better than any model ever could and I flaunted my young looking figure.  At the age of forty, I felt and looked like I was in my young 30’s.  Another supernatural attribute, maybe? 

 My thoughts drifted back to my duties for the day.  My sign would be put up today on my shop and I had to hurry back before the worker actually got there.  I had ordered red letters with a black background and the name of it would be Gwendolyn’s Goth Shop.  I couldn’t wait to see it hanging high above the arched doors against the grey stone blocks.

 I had heard The Lot at Edgewater was a great restaurant.  It was on Allegheny Avenue, just a few blocks from my shop and was vegetarian friendly.  I didn’t see many people out on the streets and I thought that was a little strange, but I was hungry enough to eat for two people, so I trotted forward.  When I got in the restaurant it was precisely 10 o’clock and I hoped breakfast was still being served as I waited to be seated.  There were only three other customers in the restaurant besides me, which made me worry about the quality and taste of the food I would be getting.  I ordered a vegetarian omelet and a coffee while observing the other customers that were there before me.  They seemed pale and fragile looking also, but I told myself I was comparing them too much to North Carolinians and the weather was different here. Oakmont has precipitation of some kind over 200 days a year and that would definitely keep you inside a lot.

 The food was delicious and I wondered again why more people weren’t in this restaurant; so I asked my waitress.  She immediately noticed my accent and asked me where I was from.  After I told her who I was and all about my shop, she politely told me that most of the townspeople stayed up late at night and slept during most of the day. 

I made it back to my dress shop just in time to meet the sign guy.  He wished me well with my new home and shop after hanging my sign, but I noticed he was in a big hurry to get finished and leave.  What was going on in this town?  I had only been there a few days and I already wanted to go back to North Carolina.  I thought it strange that the townspeople stayed up late at night, but I knew most of them were business owners like me which would certainly explain it. 

I checked my orders online and found that I had an order from Kate Perry for a red dress covered in black lace.  She ordered Goth fashion from me occasionally.  I found the dress, packed it, and called Federal Express to pick it up.  Then I finished dressing the last mannequin in the window in a black velvet dress that laced up the back.  As I put the last box of shoes on the shelf, I realized that I had completely skipped lunch and worked right up until dinner.  I was so hungry that I felt faint and I dropped everything and ran out the door.  I noticed that the streets were packed with people and the restaurants now looked full.  I wondered if I should have made reservations as I tried to squeeze through the people into the Chelsea Grille. 

I put my name on the waiting list and turned around to see Bartholomew Duncan standing in front of me.  He was smiling from ear to ear when he saw me so I had to acknowledge him.  He looked like a lost puppy as he asked me to have dinner with him so I politely accepted.  It would also move me way up in line and I was ravishingly hungry.  He ordered the Country Fried Steak and I ordered the Vegetarian Cheese Ravioli.  As we ate I quizzed him on the lifestyle and the habits of the people of Oakmont.  He advised me to be careful of whom I let in my shop at night because even though this town was small, it did have some questionable and shady people.  I told him I wasn’t afraid and that I appreciated his advice.  He said that I should hire someone to help me out just so I wouldn’t be there alone and I told him I would think about it.  However, I knew my budget wouldn’t allow it at this time. 

He asked me to come to his bar for a while because he could introduce me to the townspeople, so I walked with him to Bartholomew’s Bar.  It was a sports bar with jerseys and team pictures hanging on the walls, not at all like I would have imagined it.  I was starting to like this mysteriously handsome Bartholomew and when I met his friends and family, I felt like I was supposed to be with them. His sister, Angela, had black hair and beautiful features just like him.  They were very entertaining and smart and they made me feel like I was already their friend.  Bartholomew walked me back to my place and like a perfect gentleman he kissed me goodnight and politely left. 

Once again, I was awakened out of a deep sleep by a loud sound on my windowsill.  This time I didn’t get up but scooted under the covers and went back to sleep.  The next morning I looked out the window and saw cigarette ashes on my windowsill.  That was impossible.  It was twenty feet off the ground.  Someone would have to fly to get up there.  Then I thought of the large bat I had seen the night before but bats don’t smoke.  Am I going crazy? A glass of wine before bed might not be a good idea in the future.   

Today was the opening day for my shop so I had to go to breakfast early and make it back by nine.  Once again, the streets and restaurants were empty but this time it would be to my advantage. 

I opened the shop doors at nine sharp, but I didn’t have any customers until lunchtime when a white haired girl with blue eyes rushed in out of breath.  “I heard you were here she said.  I have been waiting forever for you to come back home.  I am the only surviving family left and I need you she whispered.”  

“What are you talking about?  I don’t know you, I yelled!” 

The white haired, blue eyed girl looked a lot like me but I wasn’t prepared for her answer.  She told me she was my sister and I could be in danger.  She explained that this had been my birth home before my parents had sent me to live with normal parents to save me from the demons.  She knew I would be back someday because it was prophesied by our mother.  I was from a long line of good witches on my dad’s side and nymphs on my mom’s side.  She told me that this town was full of fairytale characters, both good and evil and we had to reside there to keep the balance of good and bad.  I was so shocked that I felt faint and she grabbed my arm to keep me from falling.

 When she grabbed me, I saw it all.  My whole family’s life flashed in front of me.  I saw my mom giving birth to beautiful twin girls and I knew instantly she was my sister.  I took her in my arms and hugged her and she kissed me on the cheek.  She explained that the evil beings in this town knew that the next generation of good nymph-like witches would be twin girls so our mom had me adopted by normal parents to save us both.  I was so happy to finally know what I was and why I had supernatural powers. 

Ashlyn went on to explain that our powers would be even stronger now that we were reunited.  My mother’s middle name was Gwen so she named me Gwendolyn after her and my dad’s name was Ashley so she had named her Ashlyn after our dad.  Both mom and dad are dead now, killed by an evil demon.  He was a very strong demon with blue eyes.  Everything was starting to make sense now.

I closed the shop so my new sister, Ashlyn and I could go to lunch.  We had so much to talk about and I didn’t want to waste any time. 

As I started to walk down the street toward the restaurants she stopped me.  “Let’s take my car into Pittsburgh.  We need to talk in private.”  Ashlyn explained.

Ashlyn told me who was evil in the town and who we could trust.  She explained that we had bad angels, also known as Demons there, as well as good angels.  She said we had nymphs from my mother’s side of the family and good and a few bad warlocks and witches from my dad’s side of the family.

 I told her I had met Bartholomew and his family and how I felt about them. “I felt connected and at home with them.”

 She told me that they could be trusted because Bartholomew was actually a good warlock and his sister was a super good witch.  Some of his friends were also warlocks and witches and I could trust Bartholomew to choose only good and not evil beings to associate with. 

When I told Ashlyn about the bat outside of my window and the cigarette ashes I had found, she was very alarmed. 

“That would be Benjamin, one of the many town vampires,” she said.  “Whatever you do, don’t open that window and definitely don’t invite him in.  We have vampires and werewolves in this town.  That is why most of the norms have moved out.  I will let Bartholomew’s family know, so they can help guard you from the evil ones.  They must already know you have returned to town.  Bartholomew knew who you were right away.  Even though we aren’t identical twins, we look very much alike.  You are the oldest, and I was born two minutes after you.  Mom always said you would return someday because the homing instinct is very strong in witches.”

I still couldn’t get used to being called a witch and wasn’t sure if it was a good thing, but I loved my sister and I wanted to believe her. 

Ashlyn went on to tell me that our mother would visit me secretly and take pictures at every birthday party while I was growing up.  She would bring them home and show them to her.  She informed me that our mother knew my adopted parents but never revealed to them the reason she gave you to them.  She just told them it was her gift to them since they weren’t able to conceive and if they ever told anyone they would lose you forever.

 Ashlyn said, “Mother’s name was Madelyn, and she was a mountain nymph called a veela.  Nymphs are human sized and fairies are thumb sized. The veela like to be in the forest and dance under the light of the moon.  They also have healing powers.  She met our dad there and they fell madly in love, marrying after knowing each other one month, and giving birth to us within a year.  They lived happily in what is now your shop for 18 years before being killed by the powerful blue-eyed demon, Astra.”

Ashlyn wanted to stay with me tonight after learning about the bat or vampire that had been perching on my windowsill.  She explained to me that the vampire, Benjamin, was a chain smoker and that is why she thought it was him.  She also suggested that she work for me at the shop in return for room and board.  She didn’t want me there alone and she knew we had stronger powers together. 

I agreed because I wanted my sister close to me and I wondered if I was really going crazy or maybe this was all a bad dream.  She made a pallet on the floor beside me and we talked for what seemed like hours before drifting off to sleep

I awoke from my peaceful sleep to see a huge bat flying around our room.  “Ashlyn” I yelled!  “Help me!” 

Ashlyn came running in the room chanting some kind of foreign language and grabbed my hand. She told me she said, “Ego relinquam vos,” which means I will you to leave in Latin.  

Immediately the bat flew out the window.  I couldn’t believe this had really happened.  I pinched myself to make sure I was awake. 

Ashlyn proclaimed in an exhilarating voice, “I am so glad I was with you, sis, you needed me tonight.  That was definitely a vampire and he looked mighty thirsty for nymph blood. We will put a protection spell around the shop tomorrow.  Go back to sleep and don’t worry.” 

Needless to say, I didn’t go back to sleep, but she did because this was all normal stuff to her.  The sun came in the window bright and early beckoning me to rise, so I reluctantly got out of bed and dressed in my deep purple corset with my black lace skirt.  If you have a Goth shop, you have to dress the part.  I gave Ashlyn a black velvet Victorian Gothic dress similar to the one in the shop window to wear and we went downstairs to head out to breakfast.  When I mentioned the small amount of customers at the restaurants in the mornings, she explained that half of this town ate other things besides food and the other half were scared to come out until the sun was high in the sky.  It gave me a chill but it didn’t affect my appetite one bit because I was still starving.  When we went in The Lot at Edgewater Restaurant, I was surprised to see Bartholomew sitting there drinking coffee, looking as if he was waiting on us.  He motioned for us to sit down and his face was full of concern. 

“Are you two alright?” He questioned us with a look of concern.  “I was walking by your shop last night and I saw the vampire bat flying away from it.” 

Ashlyn explained to him that we needed to do a protection spell and he agreed.  So after breakfast we all marched to my shop to do just that.  I would have never thought a week ago that I would ever be doing anything like that, but here I was in the midst of it all. 

“Protect and defend this place from evil.  Destroy and cast out any ill doers. Gwendolyn survives and the evil dies.  Gwendolyn survives and the evil dies.”  Bartholomew and Ashlyn chanted and I joined in.  We said it five times while drawing an imaginary line around the shop with our feet and waving our hands over our heads. 

Bartholomew looked at me after and told me how special I was and that he wanted to see me tonight.  I graciously invited him to dinner, although I had no idea what I would cook.

The day went by very slowly, even with Ashlyn there for company.  I had a few customers but all I could think about was my date with Bartholomew tonight.  I had put a pot roast in the crock pot and was planning to fix a salad also because I was a vegetarian and didn’t eat meat. Ashlyn had left about an hour ago to go back to her apartment to get some of her things.  I was putting the cornbread in the stove when I heard the bell ring.

 Because I was busy and I knew it was time for Bartholomew, I yelled, “Come on in please.”  The door busted open revealing a skinny, pale and horrible looking creature.  He resembled a walking corpse with long white hair and red eyes. 

I screamed and ran upstairs locking the door of my bedroom, but I knew he could get in if he wanted to.  I had invited him into my home accidentally thinking it was Bartholomew, even though my sister had warned me not to.  That was the reason the protection spell hadn’t worked and it was my fault. 

He was at my bedroom door in an instant and seemed to come right through it.  His teeth were fanged and bloody, almost like he had eaten a snack before he came to get his main meal. 

He looked at me and said, “I have smelled your tantalizing fresh scent from afar for days and I must taste your flesh.” 

I screamed and yelled, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost leave my home.  You are not welcome here.” 

To my dismay, I was turning blue and rising in the air as I spoke.  I then found myself at the front of my shop where I saw Bartholomew knocking on my door.  I ran into his arms, explaining what happened and then we both saw the vampire bat fly over us. 

Bartholomew took me in the house and wrapped me in a blanket.  At 9:00, we remembered we hadn’t eaten and he fixed our meals and brought them to the couch for us to eat.  I felt so at ease with him, like I had always known him. We sat by the fire and he held me all night.  In his arms I felt no harm.  Like a soft blanket he kept me safe and warm.  We talked about everything, almost like we were trying to catch up for the time we had missed together.  He told me people that were really close to him called him Teddy.  I agreed to call him that since it was much shorter and easier to say than Bartholomew.  I didn’t want him to ever leave.  I felt an electric charge when he touched me and his soul seemed to entwine with mine. 

Ashlyn returned at 12 o’clock midnight to find us locked together asleep on the couch.  She seemed so happy that we cared for each other.  She was amazed and concerned when I told her of my unexpected vampire visit from Benjamin and my new power to orb in and out of a room.  She explained to me that I probably had many powers that were yet unknown to me.  At that moment, I knew I would be safe.  With the love and protection of my sister and Teddy how could I be afraid? 

When I woke up the next morning, Teddy was gone.  He had put some more wood on the fire and covered me up snugly with a blanket before he left.  I found a note on the table telling me he would see me again tonight and this time he wanted to cook for me. 

Ashlyn came springing in the living area with a smile and an invitation to go on a picnic in Riverside Park.  Since it was Saturday and I wanted to spend some sister time with her, I gladly obliged.  She told me on the way there that she wanted me to see the good in Oakmont and the reason we needed to stay and battle the evil. 

We parked her Volkswagen and started walking toward the forest near the Allegheny River.  It was totally mesmerizing, with beautiful flowering trees of all kinds and lilies and roses of all colors.  Ashlyn told me that the highest temperature in July was 84 in Oakmont so we should have a fairly comfortable day. As we walked further, I thought I heard faint giggles coming from the flowers. 

Ashlyn laughed and yelled, “Come out my friends and meet my sister, Gwendolyn.” 

Little fairies popped out of the flowers in beautiful colors.   I was so amazed that I tripped on a root from a tree, but I didn’t fall because the root wrapped around me and caught me.

 I looked at Ashlyn and exclaimed, “Thank goodness the good in Oakmont exist to outweigh the evil in Oakmont!” 

Ashlyn replied, “Yes and you and I are strong forces of good.  We were destined to save Oakmont and we will fulfill our destiny.”

  I hugged my sister close to me with so much warmth in my heart that I felt like it was going to explode.  Then we both held hands as we turned pale blue and floated to the picnic table overlooking the beautiful Allegheny River surrounded by fairies and flowers.