The old shop was musty and smelled like old. The shelves were decorated with a random assortment of odds and ends. None of them seemed to have anything to do with each other, and each one was more strange than the one before. There was no inventory either. Every item in the shop seemed to be the only one of its kind.
You had barely seen the shop when you passed by, and while you wouldn't normally stop for random shopping trips, you felt pulled to enter this small shop situated at the corner of the strip mall. It was sat between a Macy's and a JCPenny, both were vying for the attention of the other store's customers, so this little shop went completely unnoticed by a passerby.
Except for you, who had been aimlessly wandering after your friends had gone into a jewelry store and you had opted to stay outside. Calling them friends is a generous term, as they were more friends of a friend. You had come along on the outing to get closer and start hanging out in the circle more often, but it just wasn't clicking. So here you were, alone in a forgotten oddities shop.
In the dingey light of the shop, you could barely see the odd fellow behind the counter. "Are you here to buy something?" He asked you, giving you a start. The shopkeep had a big smile on his face and looked eager.
"Uh, not really," You started, "just, looked like an interesting store."
"Oh it is, isn't it?" His voice was high and with a slight rasp to it. He sounded a combination of old and excited. "The finest collection of artifacts this side of the western world!"
"Artifacts? Like, treasures?" You inquired.
The shopkeep chuckled, "Treasures yes! You could call them that. Something so meager to eras past, but to us, incredible and valuable. Wouldn't you say?"
"So...you're like, Indiana Jones if he decided to sell all the stuff he found?" You asked, picking up an old dusty box and examining it.
The shopkeep laughed again. "Indiana Jones? Child's play." The shopkeep scratched at the light scruff on his chin, "Go ahead, friend. Have one. Anything."
Tyler turned to the shopkeep, "What like, for free?" You asked.
"Oh gods no! These artifacts are valuable. I'll give you 20% off though. Cause I like you. And I can tell it will be worth it. You've got the right ire."
You browsed the dusty shelves. Whoever this crackpot was, he didn't take very good care of his "valuable artifacts". Your eyes finally settled on a small wooden ring box. Inside was a small, copper ring. Nothing of note along its band, save for what appeared to be a few precise etchings that you couldn't make out without getting up close, and even then the light was barely good enough to make out some light swirls etched into the band. Very celtic, you mused, before putting the box down, uninterested in a ring.
Yet even as you tried to move on, you couldn't stop staring at the ring box. You were drawn to it, in the same way you had been drawn to the shop itself. You didn't know why, but you wanted that flute. You doubted you'd be satisfied with any other purchase you made, because you needed that ring. Biting your lip for a moment, you picked up the ring box and brought it to the counter.
"Ah. I had a feeling you'd go for this item. A Ring of Obedience. Forged many years ago in Ireland. Said to make that which you desire, do all that you ask. Wise choice. I'd normally ask, say, eight-five dollars. For you though, how's sixty-eight?" The shopkeep said as his old hands began to wipe down the instrument with a dust rag.
You thought for a moment, it was a nice ring. And the shopkeep said it was antique. It could be a cool little collectible, especially since it was authentic. "Sounds like a deal." You pulled out your wallet and paid with card.
"Enjoy! And remember, use it responsibly." The shopkeeper said with a smile that sent chills down your spine.
Not wanting to be around the eerie shopkeep anymore, you hustled out of the store with your prize. Besides, it was just about time you…