^{Photo by Maria Lupan on Unsplash}

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Mr. Radish's store

Of all the explanations I can understand, this is the one that seems to me the most assertive: perhaps brilliant minds only understand a riddled world, where logic is like a mad hatter wandering through the fields of a crazy world, this quality being the only one that can keep reason in complete sanity.

One day I was sad because I had lost my kitten. I lost sight of him one afternoon as he perched on top of the neighbor's wall, and when I looked up one last time, he was gone. I wasn't instantly worried, but I did feel a slight shock, for the neighborhood streets are like a wild and hostile jungle.

Days went by and my cat did not appear. "What could have happened to him, he's never done anything like this." I gasped while holding his old collar. I decided to pluck up my courage and go to Mr. Radish's store.

I shuddered in panic, not only for my kitty but for the sibylline old man. No one can stare into his eyes for more than three seconds without feeling uncomfortable, for there is a golden peculiarity that emanates from them. They say that when he laughs, the roars of his laughter bounce off the walls like rambunctious spirits. His height is impressive; he can't even fit through the door of his store. People rumor that he is a 'Nephilim' living among us normally.

Anyone who has heard Mr. Radish's voice knows not to shudder, for the slightest weakness in the face of his power will further feed his ego. Mr. Radish comes from a land no one has ever heard of. He has no family, no friends, and is a very mysterious man. Despite his unusual qualities, he is an interesting man; for he is learned in philosophy, theology, demonology, occult sciences, and a strange book that few people in the world know about called "Nexusquiridium".

With all these things I knew about him, I felt nervous about going to see him in his store, but I was very worried about my cat; that was my motivation. When I arrived at the store, I felt the sensation that they were already waiting for me; it was my first time going in. Mr. Radish's place was a spice store; there you could find all the flavors of this world.

People in the neighborhood rumored that the owner of the store traded with magical creatures to get their most expensive spices; of course, these are only rumors, although if they were to be confirmed someday, I wouldn't be so surprised. I inhaled so hard already being inside, that I let all the smells enter my system; I imagined I was in the middle of a colorful garden full of different kinds of flowers.

I caught a glimpse of my friend Hector behind the counter; I hadn't seen him in a long time. He studied with me in school, and after finishing it, he came to work at Mr. Radish's store. He was just as I remembered him; long hair, olive eyes, twisted but friendly smile, and the same excellent thinness. I walked up to the counter to talk to him.

"Good morning, Finn," he said. "Looking for something for your taste or your knowledge?"

"For my knowledge."

"Then go upstairs, Mr. Radish will be right with you."

I nodded and continued on my way. In Mr. Radish's store, it was a rule to limit me with words, so I was cautious not to overtalk Hector. At the top of the stairs was a white wooden door, I held the handle and took a deep breath.

Before I was in a huge room with only an oval window. Bookcases on either side caught my eye, and desks with paperwork filled with drawings. In front of me, beyond, in the back, was Mr. Radish sitting and staring at me. His figure was illuminated by the only shimmer of light that entered the room. I began to tremble. My eyes opened to the limit. I swallowed a large mouthful of saliva as I caught a glimpse of Mr. Radish's golden eyes.

"Come closer, Finn," he bellowed, his voice like a rumble that stopped my heart for a second.

I took a few steps forward and took a closer look at Mr. Radish's appearance, the rumors seemed to be true, though they exaggerated some things like his height.

"Tell me, what do you want?" He asked me.

"Mr. Radish, I want to know, where is my kitty?"

He dropped his upper eyelids and smiled, his eyes were like two small bright suns almost absorbed by the gloom.

"It's not where otherwise with whom. Felines are very independent, but they can get confused quickly."

"Get confused?" I inquired.

"Pursuing your desires without following logic and reason can lead to turbulent paths."

"What do you mean? You haven't answered my question!" I retorted anxiously.

"Oh, no?" His eyes became two huge circular mirrors. "You didn't ask the right question, Finn."

I sighed. I felt my hands damp with sweat.

"Okay, who's my kitty with?"

He settled back in his chair, held his right hand out to the side, and smiled. "He's here with me."

A small, gray, furry figure jumped out from the shadows of a corner and settled into Mr. Radish's lap.

"Chester!" I exclaimed, it was my cat.

"Cats are attracted to strange things, and you have to be careful, as there are a lot of them in this neighborhood," I said, as I stroked Chester's chin.

"And what do you suggest?" I asked doubtfully.

"Here in my store, I have torvisco, oregano, and myrtle, you are going to buy a hundred grams of each and when you get home you will mix them very well. Every morning, when you prepare your pet's food, you will add a little of the mixture on top of the food, and you will continue to do so until it is all gone. You'll find that, with that, he won't run away again."

I nodded and took a moment of silence.

"Go ahead, Chester, go back to your owner." Said Mr. Radish. My cat obeyed by abandoning his legs and began to slip between mine. I immediately took him in my arms.

"Thank you for coming, goodbye, Chester."

After saying goodbye, I went down to the store and bought what Mr. Radish recommended. I looked Hector in the eyes, I wanted to say something to him, but strangely I held back.

"Thank you for your purchase, Finn, may your knowledge have been elevated." He said with a smile at the end.

The next day, I started doing what Mr. Radish told me to do. My cat was starting to feel calm and a little more attached to me. As the days went by, it was more at home than out on the street. Chester didn't run away again and that reassured me. However, something kept disturbing my thoughts, I kept thinking about these streets, these walls that hold strange things and, of course, I kept thinking about Mr. Radish's particular store.

THE END

Other publications of my authorship

Poltergeist
This Picture
[ENG-ESP] Netflix series that I liked, but were cancelled