Breathing heavily, Dan peered out the dusty window and watched Donnie M. run by, cursing.
Dan took a deep sigh, turned around and waited for his eyes to adjust to the dimness of his new environment.
It was an creaky, old place, with lots of jars on the walls and ancient boxes that you would see in an old drug store. Evreything was covered with the fine powder that comes with sitting around for years and years.
As his eyes got used to the limited light, he took a few steps in. He was startled by an old woman behind the decrepit counter. She was smiling at him. Her smile wasn't unpleasant. As wizened and wrinkled as she was, he felt comfort in her presence, as if he was with his own grandmother.
"Come in, dear boy!", she said in a smooth, sweet voice. "I see you've had a bit of a fright".
At first Dan didn't know what to say, but her strange, warm manner put him at ease.
"I was being chased", he shyly stated.
"I saw that... through the window", the old woman replied. "Did you do something bad?"
"No...". Dan began to explain, but somehow, he knew by the way the kind, old woman was smiling at him, he didn't have to.
They stood there for a moment and looked at each other, when she suddenly said, "Come over here, dear boy. I think I have something to make you feel better.
She led him over to a shelf and grasped one of the dusty bottles. It was filled with a golden liquid. She handed it to him and almost giggled.
"Now, my boy, this is to help you with finding strength and courage. A little goes a long way, so I don't want you to drink it all at once. And I promise you it tastes quite good."
Dan started to say he shouldn't, but again, that odd, soothing calm came over him and he knew he could trust her.
She continued, "You know in your heart I wouldn't hurt you. Trust me that this will help. But promise me, sip just a little a first. Now off you go!"
"Can't I pay you or something?", Dan suddenly found his voice to ask.
"No, dearie, knowing I can help is payment enough. Now, shoo!"
And just as suddenly, Dan found himself standing outside the shop, starting at the bright, sunlit street.