A strange new store has opened up and is selling all sorts of strange odds and ends.  Potions 'R Us is open for business.  Check out their collection of potions that will help with everything from a headache to those pesky size issues and beyond.  (This is a side story in my Fredricks Fancy series.  Info below on the Patreon early access NSFW version)

Potions ‘R Us

              Tess sighed as she walked around the outer ring of the mall for the third time, looking for the outlet store that Sarah had told her about. “Ok, Topic Lust, where are you. I don’t have all day.” She pulled her phone out of her purse and checked the time. “It is already six p.m. I will try and find this damn store one more time. But I swear if someone gives me the wrong directions again or these signs lead me in circles.” She clenched her phone tight. “Ugh.”

              She slipped her phone back into her purse as she adjusted her blouse. “I regret wearing heels.” She knelt down, rubbing her sore ankles. “I thought this would just be a quick visit to a store.” Tess sighed as she stood up, dusting off her slacks. “Next time, before putting on the heels, I will make sure I know where I am going.”

              Tess walked towards the escalator, having checked all the stores on the first floor twice over. “I will check the second floor one more time and then head home.

I need to rest up for work tomorrow. I need to sell something this week, or Penny will fire me.” She rolled her eyes as she rose up on the escalator. “This hasn’t been the best week.”

              As she reached the top of the escalator, a man ran pushed her from behind, knocking her to the ground. “Hey.”

              He turned around, dusting his suit off. “Why don’t you watch where you are going?”

              Tess stood up. “You knocked me down.”

              The man sighed. “No matter. I am late to my job.” He looked Tess over. “You look like you could use a free voucher for our stores' new promotional campaign.”

              He handed her a card. “Potions ‘R Us. All potions are half off today.” She looked at him in confusion. “I have been all over this mall, and I haven’t seen or heard of your store.”

              He pulled at his suit collar. “We are a bit tucked away here on the second floor, but I assure you we are here.” He sighed. “I hope you check us out and enjoy what we have to offer.” He looked at his watch. “I have to go.” He walked away.

              Tess scratched at her short dark hair. “The mall won’t be open for much longer. Why would he be late for his job?” She checked the card once more, the reflective surface making her eyes hurt. “It says the store is located at the far end of the west wing, behind the Ben and Gary’s Ice cream. But I was down there and didn’t see this supposed store before.” She sighed. “I guess I can try and find it. It would be better than finding this imaginary Topic Lust.”

              She began walking towards the west wing of the mall. Her concerns that the store would be closed as soon as she arrived continued to rise as the Book Worms flipped its sign to closed as she walked by.

              After a few minutes, Tess found a glowing Neon sign for the store Potions ‘R Us. The place was packed. She walked in, a bit bewildered that she hadn’t noticed the store before; it looked like something out of a movie. Vials were lining the walls, and employees in eccentric outfits handing out bottles to the customers.

              A woman in a red, yellow, green, and blue jumpsuit walked up to Tess. “Welcome to Potions ‘R Us. How can I help you?”

              Tess scratched at her head. “Um, I don’t know. I was just told to check this place out.” She held out the card that the man in the suit had given her.

              The woman took the card and gave Tess a colossal smile. “Ahh, I see.

Well, my name is Pamela. Here follow me, and I will help you find something to suit your needs.” She turned around, humming to herself and twirling her long blue hair.

              “Hey, wait.” Tess rushed to catch up with Pamela.

              “Hmm?”

              “Just tell me what this place is. I have been to this mall multiple times and never heard of this place.”

              Pamela laughed. “Oh, we just set up shop this week.” Her head bounced back and forth. “We are a new in-demand market.”

              “In-demand market for what?”

              Pamela walked up to a shelf, grabbed a vial with swirling red and blue liquid, and tossed it to Tess. She bounced it in her hands before grabbing onto the cold surface.

Pamela then turned towards Tess and said, “All sorts of things. Hangover cures. Beating that pesky, peaky flu.” She adjusted a bottle with red liquid in it. “Making sure you are the right size and shape.”

              “Wait, what?”

              Pamela went on as if she hadn’t heard Tess. “Pretty much anything you can think of, our potions can do it.”

              Tess sighed. “I still don’t see where the demand for this came from.”

              “Well, let’s just say people are looking to buy, and we are here to provide.” Pamela smiled. “So, are you here to purchase something?

              “Umm, I guess.”

              Pam classed her hands together. “Perfect. What will it be?”

              Tess had no idea. She looked at the bottle of swirling liquid in her hands. “I guess I will try this.”

              “Perfect. Just meet me by the cash register at the front of the store.” Pamela danced away as she hummed to herself.

              Tess sighed as she walked over to check out.

“This is so weird.” She looked at the glowing mushroom signs hanging from the ceiling. “I didn’t hit my head when that person ran into me, did I? Or did he send me down some rabbit hole?” She shook her head as she arrived at the register. “No. This is too real to be some crazy dream.”

              Pamela rose up from behind the counter, causing Tess to jump out of her skin. Pam giggled. “Oh, I am sorry.” She took the vial out of Tess’s hands. “Now, let’s get down to the dirty business, shall we. That will be fifteen-thirty.”

              Tess reached into her purse for the money. “Here.”

              Pamela took the cash and counted it. “Thank you.” She then slid the bottle into a bag and handed it to Tess. “Hope you enjoy it and come back to Portions ‘R Us.

Have a lovely day.”

              “Umm, you too.” Tess took the bag and walked out of the store. “I wonder what Sarah is going to say when I tell her about this.”

              ***

              Tess arrived home later that night. Now that she was home, she pulled out her phone and checked her messages. “Hmm, only one. Oh crap. It’s from my boss.”

              Tess played the recording.  “Tess. I need you to come in early tomorrow. I know we can work on increasing your performance. You just need to try harder.”

              “That said until you sell a car, you will be working overtime. You have a quota to meet. Talk with you tomorrow.” Tess sighed. “Well, that is just dandy.” She set down the package that she had picked up from Potions ‘R Us. “I am sure Penny wants to talk to me about more than just my performance.”

              She pulled the vial out of the bag. “I better set you someplace safe.” She held the bottle up and looked at the swilling liquid. “I don’t even know what you do.” She laughed.

“That is a bit funny. I bought this thing, and I don’t even know what it does.” She looked the vial over for a label, finding it on the base of the bottle. “Drink me, and your problems will flow away.” Tess laughed. “Like my problems are just going to go away.” She scratched at her hair. “Unless this thing can somehow let me convince Penny to give me more time to sell cars. Not like that would happen, though.”

              Tess scratched at her arm. “I am very stressed out, though. Maybe it is a stress reliever, and heaven knows I could use that.” She took the cork off and inhaled a fragrant scent. “Oh my, it smells like roses and dewdrops.” She blinked. “How odd.” She raised the bottle to her lips and took a few gulps. “Ohh, it takes wonderful. It is like a flavor explosion in my mouth.” She quickly drank the rest of the vial, savoring every last drop. “I can see what the label said; drink me now.” Tess laughed.

              As Tess set the vial down, she felt a quivering sensation rock her body. “Whoa.”

She walked over to the nearby desk to steady herself. “I hope this isn’t some strange side effect.”

              Suddenly her hand that she had placed on the table swelled in size, growing almost as big as her head. Tess held up her massive hand in disbelief. “What?”

              Her other hand suddenly shook before growing to the same size. She held them both up in front of her face. “What is happening to me?” She blinked. “The potion.”

              Tess began to wobble as her feet throbbed. She looked down to see her shoes becoming massive. “I need to do something before this gets out of hand.” She let her hands fall to her side and awkwardly walked into the next room.

Her newly resized feet her a pain to lift.

              When she made it into the other room, she reached out for the phone on the wall. “I need to call that store that gave me the potion.” Tess found that she couldn’t press the buttons on the phone with the size of her hands, even the landline. “Oh, come on.”

              Tess suddenly shot up into the ceiling as her legs expanded outward. “Ouch.”

She bent down, trying to find space. “Ok, new plan. Just get outside before another part of me decides it wants to grow.” She gently rubbed her head with her palm. “And before I bonk my head again.”

              She fell onto her hands and knees and walked towards the doorway. “This is so awkward. I have to move my arms twice as much to cover the gaps that my legs do.”

              When she reached the doorway, her head swelled, filling up the door frame. “Oww.

Oww.” She put her hands on the walls. “Let me out.” She pushed as hard as she could, but her head wouldn’t budge. “Let me out before I grow again.”

              Suddenly her shoulders grew, making dents into the wall. “Ouch.” Tess slammed her fist down onto the ground. “Great. The last thing I need is to wreck this house.” She put her hands on the wall again and pushed. This time she felt her head slip just a little, and a moment later, she popped out of the wall, flying backward and landing on a table crushing it.

              Tess slowly pushed herself up, using her hands to support her head and shoulders. “Ok. What now?” Her chest began to lurch back and forth, growing slightly with each vibrating before coming in line with the rest of her body. She bent over, trying not to let her head go through the ceiling. “Why did I think it was a good idea to buy the bottle? No, drink the bottle.” Her arms vibrated before growing to match the rest of her size. She was now tucked into a ball, stuck in her living room.

              “Ok, I think I am done growing.” She shuddered again as she grew another inch. “Or not.”

              The house shuddered as she continued to grow. “I just paid off my mortgage. I don’t have the insurance to cover this.” Tess could no longer stay tucked in a ball. She expanded out all at once, her head and shoulders pushing through to the second floor.

Her legs smashed through the wall and out onto the lawn, and her arms burst out through the walls. “My poor house.” The foundation shuddered as she continued to grow. “I thought this would make my problems go away. Now I am going to be fired for sure. And where am I going to live?”

              With another growth spurt, her knees and shoulders tore through the house. She tried to grab onto her home to hold it together, but it fell to pieces around her growing body. “Oh no, no-no.” She clenched her hands into fists as she stood up. “Oh, come on.” Tess ran her hand through her hair. “What am I going to do now? I just outgrew my home.” She sighed.

“Why did I have to drink a bottle that makes me—” She winced as she grew another few feet. “Grow?”

              Tess looked around. “Well, I can have one of my problems fixed right now. I am going to pay Tess a visit.” She crossed her arms. “While I am this size, I can make sure we talk about my job. And make sure that I won’t be fired for this mishap.”

She chuckled. “Maybe this isn’t all that bad.”