Intriguingly’s had something of a thick air within. As Miko moved carefully and quietly through the creaking, aching and groaning store of oddities, she found herself focusing on her breath. The scent of stale air laced with dust filled her nostrils and her inquisitive eyes slid over the cluttered shelves. It was as if this place were owned by a chronic hoarder that had lived several lifetimes, accumulating what seemed like, at first glance, worthless junk. Miko daren’t touch what sprawled drunkenly across the shop shelves. Fraying books, chipped trinkets, faded upholstery on weathered wood… This place harboured the memories of many. They were weaved into every inch of the place. Miko thought to herself that someone could surely spend hours upon hours exploring each of these wares. 

[quote] "Do you need the restroom key, sir?"[/quote]

A voice that sounded like gravel crunching beneath heavy tyres. Miko glanced both ways, searching for the creature that had spoken. Between the slivers of gaps between shelf upon shelf, Miko spotted who she could only assume was responsible for that rasping, chilling sound. A bowler hat licked with a dusting that was undoubtedly majority flaked skin. Skin that shamed the cracked, worn leather of the rickety armchairs in the window. Eyes that peered out from sunken sockets, hooded and beady if not for their widened gaze shooting across the shop floor. Miko moved quickly to conceal herself behind an overfilled bookshelf, obscuring herself from the man’s view. Surely he was in costume? A gimmick to match Intriguingly’s haunting atmosphere? That man dressed as if Halloween were all year round. She busied herself reading the book titles that were still legible on the bookshelf she was shielding herself with. 

Suddenly, she felt the sensation of someone’s eyes on her. Miko tensed. She spotted a tall man earnestly examining some instruments that were pulled from a seemingly bottomless leather bag. It was an old-fashioned doctor’s bag at a quick glance. The openings framed by a tarnished gold metal piping, cavernous as a mouth. The man’s expression was that of piqued intrigue, his fingers running along the once-sharp edge of a bone saw and gripping rusted scalpels. Miko thought to herself that, if they were anywhere else but Intriguingly’s, she would think this were a strange scene indeed. A man fascinated by dangerous tools? Eyeing them as if allured like a moth to flame? She averted her gaze, focusing instead on a music box that sat dumped in a wooden crate packed with other miscellaneous antiques.

Her Mother had owned a music box just like this one. A vintage Disneyland memorabilia, covered in stains and a copper clasp that stuck stubbornly when open and closed. She had loved when her Mother had plucked it from her dressing table, crouching at the knees to be face-to-face with little Miko. That old music box, despite its decrepit appearance, still burst into song with every opening of its lid. The song had slowed with age and the mechanisms within clunked over the notes with the lack of an elegance it once possessed. Her Mother had smiled fondly with every play of that tune, humming along and enjoying the hypnosis it induced in her little daughter. Miko, now much older and less susceptible to seduction by antique music boxes without the hum of her wonderful late Mother, palmed Intriguingly’s music box curiously. She thumbed the worn wood, biting down pensively on her bottom lip, debating snapping that lid open. She wondered if this old thing could still hold a tune…

Miko’s phone buzzed in her pocket. A call from her manager at the office. Her eyes widened. How had her lunch break evaporated so quickly? She slid her thumb across the screen, answering the call and pressing her phone to her ear. Her voice was hushed, lowered to avoid the attention of the other customers of Intriguingly’s.

[quote] “[i]Miko - Everything alright? You took your lunch break 32 minutes ago.”[/i][/quote]

Did they really notice when she left? When she was due to return? Miko was sure they barely noticed her at all.

[quote] “[i]Oh, sorry. So sorry. Phil, I-“[/i] Miko’s voice wavered, hesitating at what her mind had already decided she’d do. “[i]I’m not feeling too well, actually. I’m in a restroom down the road right now… I hadn’t realised the time. I should’ve called…”[/i][/quote]

Miko was never late. She never called out. She clocked in and clocked out at that soulless office job religiously day after day, showing up even when others made the excuse of public transport issues or snow on the roads…

[quote] “[i]That’s fine, Miko[/i]” Phil conceded. Miko released the breath she’d been holding. “[i]Take the rest of the day. If you can’t make it in tomorrow, send me an email.[/i]”[/quote]

Miko nodded. Then, realising Phil couldn’t see her nodding, she mumbled in agreement and said her goodbyes. She slid her phone back into her pocket and felt a rush of excitement. She’d skipped out on work! To spend more time in a creepy antique store down the street! This was unlike her. But there was something about this place that kept her bound by curiosity. She wasn’t ready to be shackled back at her desk, answering emails and staring at a phone that never rang.