Out-of-This-World Sweet Shop

Flash Fiction/Contest Entry. Word Count: 300

Casey stepped inside the Out-Of-This-World Sweet Shop. Her dyed pink hair, torn jeans, and sneakers were at odds with the antique décor of the shop with its old-fashioned register, and frosted glass lamps.

The man behind the counter looked friendly. Tall and slender, wearing wire rimmed glasses and a pencil mustache. He was pale, even a little translucent, if she was being honest.

“I heard this place was haunted,” she said. She’d heard it from Jeremy, who’d heard it from a coworker.

“No ghosts here,” said the colorless man, playfully. “Except our delicious, frosted ghost cookies, of course.” Casey followed his gaze to a plate of scrumptious looking cookies. Each decorated with blue icing and sugar sprinkles. The entire counter was a sweet tooth’s delight. Cakes, brownies, cookies, and colorful tarts. Even a few pies on display, bursting with filling and crusted tops. The smell was just as enticing. Casey felt eight years old again, in her grandma’s kitchen. She selected a ghost cookie, and peach tart, paid the man, and left reluctantly.

Feeling gloomy, the man glided into the back of the shop. Jane and the kids were singing a happy tune as they mixed, baked, and decorated.

“Sorry kids,” he said. “Pack your bags. Somebody snitched. Our cover’s blown again.” Jane gave him a disappointed nod.

Jimmy shouted, “But Dad! We always have to move just when we’re starting to have fun.”

The man sighed. “We ghosts have a bad rap, son. You know. It’s just the way it goes.”

Outside, Casey took a bite of her tart. “God, that’s amazing!” she said. Jeremy needs one. She turned to head back in and gasped, staring at a vacant building. Door locked, windows boarded, and no enchanting, sweet smells.

“Guess it was true,” she whispered, and took another bite.