[sairri]

It was always empty yet never closed.

She didn't know why she found herself in the big little antique shop. Christmas gifts, maybe?

It was August.

Either way, she was there. Annabelle pursed her lips as she studied the small letter-opener. It was ornate, with a golden shine and delicate, intricate designs etched and sculpted into its blade and handle. The dull knife felt warm in her hand, comforting even.

But what use did she have for a letter opener? The girl put the trinket back on the busy little shelf, turning to wander through more of the shop. The multitude of dim lights hummed above her as she worked her way through the labyrinth of shelves and coat-hangers. The dull, scuffed wooden floor creaked beneath her as she idled in front of certain items, occasionally picking them up to study and guess whatever story they might have lived through.

There was a little old lady behind the counter, with tan, weathered skin and silky silver hair. She watched Annabelle like a hawk from behind her large, wrinkled word nose, refusing to utter a single word as her customer awkwardly made her way through the store.

But somehow, even when hidden behind a shelf, whenever Annabelle would think to pick up a trinket that perhaps should not have been picked up, she could hear the woman's silence perfectly clear. 'uh uh uh' the woman seemed to coo from it. 'eyes only, sweetie. Though perhaps you'd like to look at my collection of dolls?'

Annabelle shivered, pulling her hand away from a lovely glass necklace.

As she sighed, turning away from the necklace to study a toy cat, picking it up to feel the wooden figurine in her small hands, she heard the bells on the door rang as it opened and then, Annabelle heard a very faint click. One she never thought she'd hear beyond the television.

It was the click of a gun.



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