The antique shop was dark and silent except for the creak of old wooden floorboards beneath their feet. Thick spider webs hung from the rafters, brushing against their faces like ghostly fingers. Dust motes danced in the slivers of fading sunlight sneaking through grimy windows.
Mia wrinkled her nose. "Eww, this place is like a spider's nightmare."
Ann brushed a web away from her face. "Quiet, Mia. We don't know what's here yet."
Mike shone his phone's flashlight around the cluttered room, revealing stacks of cracked porcelain, rusty clocks frozen in time, and shelves bowed under piles of forgotten things.
Suddenly, a soft tap, tap, tap echoed from the back.
"Did you hear that?" Jake whispered, moving closer to the others.
Mia nodded, eyes wide. "Someone's here…"
A small figure appeared from the shadows, leaning on a wooden stick that helped her walk. She was tiny — hunched with age — with white hair pulled into a messy bun and eyes sharp as an owl's.
"Why have you come here, children?" she asked, her voice rough but not unkind.
Ann stepped forward. "We were running from bullies… and your shop was the only place nearby."
The old woman's eyes twinkled. "Ah, a visit at last. It's been so long since anyone set foot here. Thank you for coming."
Mike looked around nervously. "We didn't mean to intrude."
She waved a gnarled hand. "Nonsense. Every visitor is a blessing. Perhaps you'll find something to take home."
"Buy something?" Mia frowned. "We don't have much money."
The woman chuckled softly. "You needn't worry about money. I have special things. Come, follow me."
Without waiting for a reply, she hobbled toward the back of the shop, pushing aside curtains of cobwebs.
The four exchanged glances and followed silently.
The old lady led them to a dark, empty room — colder than the shop itself. At the center stood an ancient wooden chair. She pulled it away from the wall, revealing a heavy trapdoor hidden beneath the floorboards.
Jake's eyes widened. "What's that?"
The woman smiled mysteriously. "A secret no one has found in decades. Come, step carefully."
With a creak, the trapdoor opened, revealing a narrow staircase spiraling down into darkness.
Ann hesitated. "Are you sure this is safe?"
The woman nodded firmly. "You must trust."
One by one, they descended, the air growing cooler and thick with the scent of earth and old stone.
At the bottom, a long passage stretched before them. Suddenly, soft lights flickered on, illuminating the walls lined with faded carvings of symbols they didn't recognize.
Mike whispered, "This place… it feels ancient."
Ann's fingers traced one symbol, her voice trembling slightly. "I feel like I've seen this before… in a dream maybe?"
Mia shivered, pulling her jacket tighter. "Can we just find whatever we're looking for and get out?"
The passage ended at a heavy iron door, which creaked open as the old woman pushed it.
Inside, seven glass boxes stood like tombs, each resting on a stone pedestal.
Ann stepped forward, eyes scanning the display.
"Look," she breathed.
Four boxes held objects glowing faintly with an otherworldly light:
A delicate blue pendant necklace, shimmering like ice crystals.
A red-stained bracelet with pulsing energy beneath its surface.
A hairpin crackling softly with stormy sparks.
A sleek tech watch glowing with electric blue light.
Three boxes sat empty, cold and silent.
Ann frowned, confusion creasing her brow. "Where… where are the other three?"
She turned to the old woman, but she was gone.