Wearing masks was mandatory now, and anyone caught without one would be fined. We were told the masks were supposed to filter out the pollutants and make it easier to breathe. I didn't believe that for a minute, but it was either wear the mask or suffer the consequences. Of course, there were those who disobeyed the directive but I have never seen those people again.
I had just gotten off of work and was heading home. I always liked to take a different route home every day. Kept things interesting. Today I decided to go through the alleyways. I figured it would be quicker and less crowded since not many people used them. As I made my way down the narrow path, I noticed a small shop that was tucked away in the corner. There was a sign above the door that read, 'Eve's Emporium'.
"Hello?" I called out, "Is anyone here?" When no one answered I turned around and was about to exit when the voice came over an intercom.
"We are open. Please step inside." A female voice said. I entered the shop and found myself surrounded by various objects. There were paintings and books stacked haphazardly on top of shelves. In the far corner I could see some musical instruments leaning against the wall.
"What kind of place is this?" I asked aloud. The room looked like it was full of random items. I stepped farther in and that's when I saw the owner. She was sitting behind a large wooden desk, a newspaper folded in front of her. As I drew closer, I noticed she had long silky black hair and emerald green eyes looking not much older than myself, quite young to have her own shop.
"Good afternoon!" She greeted cheerfully. "Welcome to Eve's Emporium, a place for everything and everyone." I smiled back. She seemed really friendly.
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Tony." I said introducing myself.
"It's very nice to make your acquaintance." She replied politely. She gestured to the chair next to me, "Would you care to sit down and talk awhile?" I nodded and sat down. "Would you care to purchase anything? Perhaps a gift for a loved one?" She suggested slyly.
"I don't have a loved one." I shrugged, "But thanks anyways." Her smile grew wider.
"We shall remedy that soon enough." She promised as she leaned forward, placing both arms on the desk. Her sleeves moved slightly revealing a tattoo of two snakes, intertwined with each other and eating their own tail. "Now tell me," She continued, "What do you want out of life, Tony? What is it that you desire?" Her gaze bore into my very being making my heart pound rapidly within my chest.
The woman seemed very intense and the atmosphere around us made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. There was also something else there, a strange sensation of fear mixed with anticipation. It wasn't right but it didn't feel wrong either. "Well, honestly, I wish we didn't have to wear these damn masks." I confessed, "It's hard to breathe." She nodded solemnly and leaned back in her chair. Her face changed from soft to cold as ice, her green eyes almost glowing against the fluorescent lights of the room. "Do you believe in magic?" She asked me unexpectedly.
"No, not really." I replied quickly and confidently. "That's just nonsense and fairy tales." I snorted amusedly. She laughed lightly along with my joke.
"What if I told you what is going on outside, the reason you have to wear a mask is all because of one giant magic spell?" She explained. There was no trace of humor left on her face but there was a seriousness in the tone of her voice.
"No," I muttered shaking my head, "Magic is fake. No such thing exists!" I scoffed angrily and stood up abruptly, it was a mistake to come in here, she was just another looney conspiracy theorist. I walked toward the front door with quick strides until I was yanked backward by an invisible force. Before I knew it I flew across the room, landing roughly against the wall beside the desk. "What the fuck?!" I yelled, groaning as pain shot throughout every muscle fiber.
The woman merely chuckled, "Magic is very much real, as is the haze that covers the world. I'll show you what happens when someone is caught without their mask. That girl, just outside will do nicely." The sound of clicking heels came from outside, getting louder the closer she got to the building. Seconds later, she appeared, peering inside the window curiously. When her blue eyes locked with mine as I saw Eve appear behind her, unhooking the mask from the stranger's face. The girl look of curiosity morphed, as her blue eyes shifted to light pink.
I watched helplessly, frozen, as the girl was led inside like she was a zombie. "Are you my Master?" She robotically questioned as she stared at me. Eve let go and stepped back watching the scene before us unfold. She cocked her head, reminding me of a puppet master waiting to see what her marionette will do next.
"What is going on here!"
"You see Tony," Eve began, as her icy stare met mine, "People do wear masks for a very real reason. Mostly affects women, but if they breathe any of the smog in, they turn into this." She gestured towards the blonde woman before me. I stared in utter shock, the girl looked completely normal... Except for the fact that her irises had now turned pink and had become slitted like cat's.
She approached me, kneeling down and resting her head against my shoulder. A hand reached out towards my leg gently stroking my thigh. "Please Master," she begged, "Let me pleasure you..." I was speechless, all the fear and anxiety seemed to melt away as I glanced at Eve.
