The Oddities Shop: A Story from the Realm

By Jessica White

A daydreaming shopkeeper and the handsome pirate stuck in her favorite painting chase adventure and learn to navigate the dangerous seas of a magical world they cannot escape.

When Marcy opens her oddities shop one snowy morning, she discovers the shipwrecked pirate in her favorite painting has changed.

So when a sinister old man comes looking to buy it, she has second thoughts, no matter how badly she needs the money.

When she rushes to hide the portrait among the other garbage that lines her shelves, she discovers the handsome sailor is missing entirely. But that's not even the strangest thing that happens that night...

The Oddities Shop is a book from Stories from the Realm, a collection of dark paranormal romantic fantasy stories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica White
• Release date: Feb 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215138205

Jessica White

Author Jessica White - Unveiling Dark Fantasies and Steamy Romance in Small Towns? Welcome to the enchanting world of Jessica White, where the world comes alive with dark immortals, small-town secrets, and sizzling romance. As a passionate storyteller, Jessica weaves tales that transport you to realms unknown, blending dark fantasy, steamy romance, and heart-pounding suspense.? Series Highlights:•The Broken Immortals: Journey into a realm where immortality comes with a price, and forbidden desires ignite a war between light and darkness.•Stories from the Realm: Explore mystical landscapes and unearth the secrets that bind magical beings in this captivating series.•Love Stories from a Small Town: Immerse yourself in the charm of small-town romance, where love blossoms amidst close-knit communities.?‍? About the Author: Jessica, a former Registered Nurse turned masterful storyteller, hails from the breathtaking landscapes of West Virginia. Her graduate degree in Business Administration adds a strategic touch to her narrative prowess. Beyond crafting tales, Jessica is captivated by metaphysical wonders, the beauty of nature, irresistible buttercream icing, and the magic of Harry Potter (still waiting for that letter!).? Stay Updated: Curious about Jessica's upcoming releases? Explore Jessica's world beyond the pages. Follow her journey on https://linktr.ee/authorjwhite and sign up for exclusive email alerts. Be the first to dive into new worlds and discover fresh tales of love, mystery, and fantasy.? Connect with Jessica: Have questions or just want to share your thoughts? Reach out to Jessica at [e-mail].

Book preview

The Oddities Shop

A Story from the Realm

Jessica White

Copyright © 2023 by Jessica White

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact [include publisher/author contact info].

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Special thanks to Artscandare & Danny Decelis for all your help with this project and so many others

Contents

Quote

1.The Oddities Shop

2.The Offer

3.A Soft Woman

4.Captain Edmund Heddle

5.The Best Date

6.My Miserable Life

7.The Painting

8.The Curse

9.A Damn Tragedy

10.The Secret Place

11.The Spell

12.Some Pirate

13.Our Doorstep

14.Home

15.A Favor

16.The Hiding Place

17.The Pirate Code

18.Freedom and Opportunity

19.A Captain's Wife

20.Everything I Do

21.My Most Precious

22.Soon, Darling

23.Bravery and Loyalty

24.The Black-Eyed Man

25.Nothing Special

26.This Worthless Life

27.No Words

28.The Sign

29.A New Woman

30.One Sweet Face

31.The Welcome Sign

32.One Body

33.In my Honor

34.The Ultimate Treasure

35.The Stage

36.These Pirates

37.Token of Appreciation

38.The Portrait

39.Sneak Peek of Dark Tides

Follow Me

Under a black flag we sail, and the sea shall be our empire…

The Oddities Shop

Marcy

Winter’s cold spread over my face, making my cheeks burn and my eyes water as I peeked out from under the fluffy gray scarf I bundled around me.

A shade of green that made my stomach churn each time I came across it, the Fifth Street bridge bobbed in and out of my sight.

The old, rusted rivets holding it together were like a million beady black eyes. Glaring at me harder with every step closer I came, they groaned at me as the stinking cars and trucks sped underneath them.

Every day I walked to work, the city got a little crueler. Nudging me out like the mean kids on the playground, its dirty streets and crime hovered over my back, bullying me with no mercy.

I didn’t fit into this world, or maybe this world wasn’t a good fit for me anymore.

As I did each morning, I paused at the junction where the concrete met the steel bridge. Contemplating if trudging all the way across town was worth the trouble anymore, I hesitated with my foot over the seam.

It used to bring me a twinge of excitement to hop across it like I was diving out of one world and into another. But there was no joy anywhere to be found in my life anymore, save one face.

Something drew my eyes to the icy water bubbling up at me as it soared over the rocky creek bed underneath.

Its happy-sounding whispers and gurgles always offered me shelter from the unforgiving world inside its freezing embrace. And every morning, I considered tossing myself over the side and taking it up on its invitation.

The last few cents in my pocket jingled when I reached inside. They wouldn’t make a bit of difference to this hopeless situation, anyway.

I unwrapped my fist before my face to say my wishes over the handful of pennies. It’s Marcy again.

I hadn’t any adventure in my life, ever, and not a soul to call mine to do it with if I did.

Still, I held on to the sliver of hope that someone like me might wander into my life someday and stay for a while. Please, give me a sign that a change is coming.

The aching hole in my chest got a little deeper as I brought my arm back to it, making my breath hitch as a tear slipped down my cheek. I’m so tired of being alone all the time.

Peeking through the clouds only long enough to make the coins shimmer in its light, the sun spread over me for a moment.

The tiny metal pieces glided through the air like feathers until a bitter wind smacked them downward. One at a time, they plopped into the water, a half-dozen wishes for a different kind of life setting my fate into motion at last, I hoped.

An out-of-place blast of warm wind rolled over my back, and I caught what I thought was a hint of cocoa butter in the mist spraying over me.

Enough to make me smile, the yummy concoction took that heaviness from my heart.

I kissed my fingers and wiggled them at the creek as I turned back for the footpath and another monotonous day at my shop of oddities. See you this evening.

That hope fizzled with each strike of my boot’s heel against the ground, though, every lousy thing drawing closer. Like a black hole sucking the entire universe into it, I summoned troubles to me wherever I went.

The frigid wind beat my face when I turned the corner at the end of the street. But in my heart, I was strolling along a warm, sandy beach instead until my feet came out from under me.

The jerk-face in the puffy gray coat never glanced up from his conversation when he bumped into my shoulder, sending me to my ass on the icy sidewalk.

I hissed through my teeth at the stinging on my elbow and the brief, warm rush of blood soaking through my sweater. Excuse you!

A tremble started in my lip as I pushed myself off the concrete and slapped away the dirty slush from my bottom and knees.

Bad days I tried to brush off as a temporary annoyance turned into several horrid years that only dragged on. Yet one bright spot in my life remained, and I rushed around the next corner to get to my most prized possession.

However, when I found the city works man placing a red tag on my shop door instead, the last of my faith in the world dropped from my chest in one long sigh. Son of a bitch.

Giving me that pitiful jerk of the corner of his mouth before his eyes went to the ground, he pulled his coat tighter as he passed me. Sorry, ma’am. You have until the end of the day.

Pulling the cut-off placard from the knob, I nodded as I blinked up at the graying sky. Well, I asked you for a sign. Didn’t I?

Snowflakes bunched on my lashes as the fine flakes dumped from the next passing cloud, and I dug my keys from my pocket and stepped up into the doorway. I was kind of thinking rich, sugar daddy, though.

I cursed the antique lock a time or two as I twisted and slammed my hand against the mechanism to force it open.

Everything left to my name sat right beyond the door of my oddities shop. My empire of second-hand garbage my father collected on the whimsical younger-day journeys he told me about at bedtime when I was a girl.

Pressing my fingers to my lips as I came around the counter, I laid them on the old picture frame. Good morning, Dad.

I set the overdue bill on top of the others and reached behind me for the chair. Let’s find out what we can do about these. Shall we?

Tapping at the keyboard to wake it up, I shook off my coat and unleashed my dark brown hair from my scarf — and I swear I caught a gasp from somewhere in the darkness of the hallway.

More than convinced that one of these probably ill-gotten treasures contained a ghost or two, I only jerked my eyes wider at myself on the screen. At least someone noticed you today.

Tugging at the broken glass knob for the drawer by my hip, I searched for the television remote that always seemed never to be where I left it.

Like a chess piece that only moved across the board at night when I left, the remote peeked out at me from under a travel magazine I was certain I didn’t put there.

I stared at these same four walls and all the curiosities inside them for at least twelve hours a day, every day of my life, and I knew if a single speck of dirt was out of place.

So, yes, it occurred to me that someone may have broken in occasionally. But since the only thing that ever came up missing was a book here or there, I never bothered with security — not that I could afford it, anyway.

Actually, spending the workday trying to figure out what thing of mine had been relocated was the highlight of my existence. Whoever or whatever spirit wandered these rows of shelves meant me no harm, and frankly, they were the closest thing to a friend I had.

Leaving the television on whatever channel played last, I typed in my login information for my bank until I heard the voice in the speaker say, Imagine a world where winter is just a distant memory, replaced by the inviting warmth of sun-kissed beaches and the rhythmic melody of the clear blue waters.

Some force clenched my fingers, making them stop mid-type.

Like a bolt of lightning rushing up every nerve, it grabbed my chin and pulled it toward the screen. Welcome aboard the Sea Witch...

I squinted at the cruise ship and whispered back its name. Sea Witch? Now, where have I heard that before?

My eyes scanned the air in front of me, trying to coax out some long-forgotten memory until the announcer’s voice got my interest again. ... your ticket to the most luxurious tropical adventure of your life.

A crowd of smiling passengers enjoyed every lavish amenity on the ship’s deck, earning a jealous curl of my lip.

I whimpered at the bowl of luscious fruits I’d never even tasted in the background and rested my chin on my fist as the camera panned over the Tiki-inspired bar with grass skirting and coconut glasses. On the Sea Witch, every voyage is an opportunity to escape reality and embrace a world of opulence. Picture yourself on the deck, a glass of champagne in hand, as you sail towards exotic ports of call nestled in the most sparkling seas on the planet.

A couple enjoying a romantic dinner under the stars clanked their glasses together and leaned in for a tender kiss that broke my heart and drew envious tears from my eyes. Abandon the ordinary and dive into a sea of unparalleled luxury. The Sea Witch is not just a cruise; she’s a journey into a realm where time stands still, and each moment is an adventure waiting for you to unravel it.

As if it knew my deepest unsaid wishes, the cruise ship trailed off into the sunset toward a world of magic I could only dream of, its silly jingle haunting me forever. ‘Sail away on the sea so blue, the Sea Witch has fun for you.’

The happy couple waved at me to come join them, and I waved back until their faces went fuzzy. That’s what I’m talking about, universe, if you’re taking requests right now.

A blob of darkness grew taller at the corner of my eye, yanking my attention from the television.

Pushing my toe into the tile floor, I clicked off the picture and spun my seat around as I followed the shadow. Moving back into the hallway like a black cat scooting its itchy rear end across the floor, it disintegrated when it got midway down.

Those specters I suspected never revealed themselves to me in all the years my father brought me here, and I groaned out loud as the fear made me sink inside. Oh, gosh. What is that?

Another out-of-place warm wind carried coconut and salty sea breeze across my face. My hair blew back over my ears just as the sounds of the ocean tides slapping the shoreline echoed in the narrow hall across from me.

Straining to listen for clues about what awaited me, I slipped down from my seat and squinted toward the back room. Hello?

Tilting my chin away, I pointed my ear down the hall and waited for an answer. Despite how my knees shook to stop me, my boots scuffed along the old floor that needed a proper polishing. Is someone there?

My fingers bent around the first thing they came to, tugging it from the old milk crate where I kept the canes and umbrellas. I hate to be the bearer of bad news.

My hands clutched the wood bat, squeezing so hard it cracked against my ear as I readied it at my shoulder. But you sure as hell broke into the wrong place, buddy. I couldn’t get out of town if it took a nickel to go around the world.

A mouse scurried across my shoe just as it crossed the storeroom threshold, making me squeak at myself as I clutched my chest, Oh, for Pete’s sake.

Covering the flutter in my chest with my hand, I sank into the doorframe. You scared the hell out of me.

My back heaved upward with each breath I tried to catch until a seagull’s caw made my heart stop entirely for a beat or two.

Blowing hot, rum-scented breath over the side of my face, my favorite old portrait I spent hours getting lost in glowed in the warm light of summer.

But