3 weeks had passed since Georgina's case. Life went on as usual at Atlas Haven. Veronica sat at the reception table with Mj who sat beside her. Abayomi and Raymond stood in front of them.
"Don't you have things to do ?" Veronica asked bluntly.
" That's exactly what I asked her, honestly I wasn't planning on coming down here " Raymond said.
"What made you change your mind ?" Veronica asked
"she promised me to give me info on the latest tech in town" Raymond said " but remember Yomi, I am only doing this because you seemed desperate, not that I care about what you have to say. Though I am quite intrigued"
Abayomi grinned, Veronica just looked confused.
"He's a tech nerd" Mj said
"A big one for that matter" Abayomi said teasingly
"no I'm not" Raymond said sheepishly
"Though he doesn't like to admit it" Abayomi said.
Just then they heard footsteps, it was the sound of heels, clicking slowly and steadily. Veronica noticed a change in the atmosphere, seeing the pale look on their faces.
"What's wrong ?" Veronica asked.
"Its the footsteps of doom" Abayomi said.
"what ?" Veronica asked sounding confused.
"Let's just say.... you're about to meet chaos in heels" Raymond said as he began to slip away.
"She thrives on emotional damage and glitter— I would run if I were you" Abayomi said, she was already half way gone.
" I don't get it, is it a demon ? A supervisor ??" Veronica said sounding more confused.
Mj who was also halfway out just smirked.
"She is far worse than any demon"
...
"Good luck though"
They all vanished and the heels stopped. The door opens to reveal a woman wearing a short blue gown, long floral kimono jacket and white boots. She had that signature white hair, soft green eyes and tan skin.
"It's Miss Eniola, now that I think of it, Mj once mentioned she's a witch" Veronica thought "though I have no idea what her ability is".
"My, my if it isn't sweet Veronica. So nice to run into you. Hey wanna go on a shopping spree with me ?" Eniola asked.
"A shopping spree" Veronica said
" Yes, trust me its gonna be fun" Eniola said. Veronica didn't mind at all and agreed to go.
" Why were Mj and the rest acting so weird ? Looks like they were just being dramatic. What's wrong with shopping for a few things ? I don't mind at all, I will definitely enjoy it'' She thought.
...
...
...
"I wish I could take back what I said earlier" Veronica thought.
Veronica misunderstood the whole shopping experience, they weren't shopping for clothes or groceries, it was for lab supplies and potions. "I found it weird when we entered that thrift store and didn't shop there, instead we went to the back of the store. She opened a weird looking door which led us to where we are".
They had been walking for hours, Veronica's energy kept draining. She tried to tell Eniola to round off the shopping but she was too absorbed in the lab supplies and potions she saw. "A hidden magical marketplace huh ? Looks like a black market to me. Banshees, fairies, elves, vampires, almost all sorts of non- humans are here" Veronica thought as she observed the place.
"I'm so tired and hungry, so this is why the others left. Mj you traitor, just you wait" Veronica thought as she clenched her fists. A certain potion caught Eniola's eye, she asked how much for it
"What do you mean it costs 15 grand ? For a sleep potion ???" Eniola asked in a baffled manner.
"that's the price, take it or leave it" the banshee vendor said.
"listen honey, its either you agree to collect 4 grand or I go" Eniola said
"Are you being serious right now ? I'm not gonna agree to give you for that price" the banshee said.
"fine, I thought you would agree since you haven't sold anything yet" Eniola said as she began to leave.
" She's right, everything in the banshee shop looks like their wearing out, its like she hasn't had the chance to get new ones since no one has bought yet" Veronica thought.
As if being stung by what she said, the banshee vendor called them back and gave the sleep potion to Eniola for 4 grand.
"Woah I can't believe she actually agreed, Miss Eniola is amazing" Veronica thought. They continued their shopping, Eniola got shoes that float an inch above the ground which annoyed Veronica a bit, she also got a cloak that whispers secrets when worn which Veronica approved of. There were times Eniola argued with some vendors while Veronica watched with a blank expression on her face wondering when this nightmare would end cause her legs were about to stop working.
Eniola wanted to round off the shopping by getting some clothes for herself and Veronica. They walked to a place in the market place mainly for clothes.
"Miss Eniola you don't have to" Veronica said.
"nuh uh, you need a variety of clothes girl" Eniola said.
" But I do have a variety of clothes " Veronica said
"Is that why you keep wearing the same black trouser and a lilac hoody older than my last heartbreak ? We're getting you some new clothes young lady ?" Eniola said. She was so persuasive that Veronica had no choice but to give in.
She made her try on different clothes, this just kept draining Veronica's energy. At this point Veronica could feel her legs not moving. "What about this red dress ? Its definitely gonna look hot on you" Eniola said as her eyes sparkled.
. " Yeah sure why not" Veronica said feeling defeated.
"Hey try picking out some clothes" Eniola said.
Veronica did as she said, at the end Eniola couldn't help but sigh.
"I see, you like the tomboy style of dressing but hoodies and trousers aren't the only kind of Tom boy styles" Eniola said " let me take the lead".
She picked a charcoal gray oversized graphic tee that had cryptic symbols written on it.
"What does it say ?'' Veronica asked
"Two selves, one thread " Eniola said
"That's funny" Veronica thought.
She also chose a matte black cargo pants
"This is definitely your style, it also has protective runes along it seams" Eniola said
" Wow, she can sense that ? I thought it was just some plain cargo pants" Veronica thought. Eniola chose a maroon trench coat for her and a pair of sneakers as well as a silver chain belt which held a small violet amulet.
"Try these on" Eniola said
Veronica obeyed and went to the dressing room to try on the clothes. When she came out, Eniola couldn't help but feel excited and satisfied.
"Oh my God ! The oversized graphic tee with the cargo pants and the sneakers. I like the way you looped the silver chain into the pants. Although you didn't wear the trench coat but this is perfect especially with your long black hair styles in a high ponytail." Eniola said sounding pleased with herself " look at yourself in the mirror" .
Veronica did as she said and immediately liked how she looked. "This looks so me" She thought. She thanked Eniola over and over again which made her flustered. Eniola bought her own clothes and they Left the marketplace for the human realm.
As they walked back to the hotel, they encountered a scenario. A woman with tears streaming down her face clinging unto a man who looked confused. People gathered around them.
"Where have you been ?" The woman asked.
"What are you talking about and Who are you ?" The man asked.
"What do you mean ? I'm your wife" the woman said as she lifted her hand to touch his cheek. The man jerked her hand away
"wife ? I don't think I have....infact,I can't really remember anything" .
The woman sobbed, the onlookers felt sorry for her.
"Its really painful when the person you love and care about can't remember you" Eniola said . " You're right" Veronica said.
Eniola decided to go to a nearby cafe to get two cups of coffee. Veronica waited for her outside holding the shopping bags, suddenly a man bumped into her.
"Hey ! Watch it" She said.
"Sorry" the man said without looking back.
She couldn't see his face properly but she caught a glimpse of the his eyes. Pale grey, not silver, not blue. Just grey like fog caught in a glass which had faint shimmer to it. Veronica felt a mixture of unease and a seemingly unusual peace. But his voice is what made a wave of unease come upon her. It sounded so hollow like she heard an echo. Eniola came out of the cafe and handed her a cup of coffee. Veronica thanked her for it and decided to brush off the thoughts.
But for some reason, her heart was beating too fast for a casual bump.
They got back to the hotel and went straight to Eniola's lab. Veronica felt another wave of unease coming upon her but this time for a different reason. She saw a bunch of lab apparatuses will strange chemicals as well as other weird potions. Worst of all, she saw someone covered with a white cloth strapped to a bed. Her face went pale when Eniola handed her a lab coat.
"What .... For ?" She asked dryly.
"we're gonna conduct experiments silly" Eniola said wearing an eerie smile.
"she's a mad scientist, I'm so sorry miss but I can't deal with this. My legs almost gave out I don't think I can handle this" Veronica thought. Before Eniola could say another word, Veronica was gone.
She left the lab when Eniola wasn't looking and hurried to the ground floor and stood by the reception desk to catch her breath. "I'm so tired, I don't think I can stand for long". She slumped into her chair, slightly tilted her head and closed her eyes. She was like this for a while then she heard the elevator doors opening. She thought it was Mj and was about to lash out when she saw Jared walking towards the reception desk holding two cups of coffee in his hands.
" Damn, You looks like all the blood in your body went on a lunch break — without you" Veronica said in a sarcastic tone. He shot her a blank look and sighed.
He told her how Eniola tried to lure him to join her in her shady experiments. She asked him to get a cup of coffee for her so he got two cups since he also planned on drinking coffee. He was about to go into her lab when he noticed the change in atmosphere as well as her signature smile. He left before she could do anything, this made Veronica laugh.
"By the way..." Jared said as the corner of his mouth twitched upward ''i heard from Raymond that you were having the experience of how shopping is with Eniola" .
Veronica's face went pale as she recalled the horror.
" We walked for hours to the point I couldn't feel my legs anymore, the last straw was when she tried to get me to do whatever shady experiments she had in mind. Even now I still feel the pain in my legs" Veronica said.
"why didn't Mj warn me ?"
"Its a tradition that every newbie must have a taste of Eniola's shopping spree".
" I see"
" Though I'm actually grateful for what she did. She got me some clothes and coffee" Veronica said in a soft voice.
"anyway, do you have any plans for the second coffee ?" Veronica asked
"no"
" Can I have it ?"
" Sure" he said as he handed it to her. She took it and drank the coffee in one go. "It tastes so good, where did you get it from ?" She asked.
"I made it" He said.
Just then a voice came in through the PA system, it was Daisuke.
"All personnel, please report to my office now. Another case has just landed on our plate".