I stood inside a herbal shop. Everywhere I looked, I saw dried leaves, weeds, and small liquid bottles arranged on wooden shelves. Some were hanging from the ceiling in little bundles tied with string. Others were crushed into jars with faded labels. The air felt thick.
And recently my senses have heightened. I could smell everything. Bitter roots. Crushed petals. Something sharp and minty. Something damp and earthy. The scents layered over each other until I could almost taste them. It was overwhelming.
I swallowed slowly and tried to breathe through my mouth instead.
Standing behind the counter was a brown-skinned guy with blonde hair. He stared at the paper I had given him, then at me.
His eyes did not blink immediately.
"You look all grown up now. The last time I saw you, you were like what, 9 or 10?" he said. His voice sounded calm but not curious.
Does he know me? A small pulse started in my throat.
"Have we met before? I don't remember meeting you," I asked.
