When I got back to the store, an unknown man walked in. I rarely get new customers, in fact I rarely get customers at all. The man looked to be about 25 years of age, medium build, with short dirty blond hair. He looked at me with a long, questioning look. I could just imagine what I must look like to a random stranger: A lanky girl of 16, alone in a shop, wearing a simple cotton dress and apron, not to mention having a strange business. Still looking suspicious

he cleared his throat.

“Is this ‘Euphoria’?” he asked in a smooth, soft voice, like chocolate.

“Um, yes it is. Is there anything I can help you with?” I replied, a little nervous.

“I hear you make custom scents.” he continued, his voice floating through the air, almost hypnotic.

“Yes, I-I do,” I stuttered, taking out a notepad and a pen. “Do you have a name?”

“Of course,” he said, irritated. “People call me Mr. Lynch.”

“Thank you, and your order?” I say absentmindedly, relaxing a little as I scribbled down words on my notepad. Next thing I knew, Mr. Lynch had me up against the wall, with a knife to my throat.

“My order would be for you to keep your small adolescent nose out of other people’s business.” Mr. Lynch growled.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I gasped.

“Yes, you do. You saw him walking down the street today and immediately ran to Mr. Holmes. Well, he’s not here to help you this time, I made sure of that.” Mr. Lynch put his knife away and started to leave. Right before he got to the door he turned around, “oh, and make sure you stay away from this whole affair or else the knife will go deeper next time.” With that he left the store. I leaned against the counter to steady myself, a small throbbing in my neck where the knife had been placed was the only evidence that the entire exchange ever happened. Putting out my candles, I went behind my counter and pulled out my bed roll. Laying down, I fell into a restless, fitful sleep of nightmares about Mr. Lynch coming back and stabbing me in the middle of the night. The next morning, I went to talk to the other Irregulars.