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absolutely nothing about Goth or anything similar to it. I’m not even sure if the store is meant to be Goth, or if it’s just a store that sells darker-themed clothing and accessories. I have no clue.
    I’m pretty certain I stand out with my normal jeans, white tank, and ponytail, but the customers that are browsing ignore me as I look around.
    The flooring I walk on is black hardwood, and the walls of the store are a dark gray. Elaborate chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and black wrought iron wall sconces are fastened to the walls boasting red lights shining upwards toward the darkened ceiling. I pass by one, taking in the dragon design wrapping around it. Eerie, but kind of cool. Regular track lights shine down on the racks of clothing so that people can see what they are looking at. A few black walls smartly divide up the store, and on those walls are sconces and mirrors. I take my time walking around the racks of clothing and round tables. The lights soften and dim towards the back of the store where accessories like shoes and corsets are located. I note the cave-like hallway in a corner that has a ‘Fitting Rooms’ sign above the doorway.
    I can’t help but peek into the hall. It’s all faux stone, and the hall is dimly lit by more sconces with the red lights. Black doors are on either side of the hall, and I estimate there to be about twelve. There are also no gender signs.
    I turn my attention on the rest of the store and see that there’s a register located on a black counter along the side wall towards the back. A chandelier hangs above the register, giving the area a soft glow that has the three, round-cased displays of piercing jewelry sparkling. There’s also an ‘employees only’ door in the corner.
    The door happens to open, and a man slips out and takes his place behind the counter. His black-rimmed, green eyes halt on me, and he smiles as his snake bite piercings catch the overhead lighting. “Can I help you find anything?”

* * *
    It turns out, I don’t have to know anything about Goth or any of that stuff to be hired at Cordane’s. I just have to dress in the store’s clothing, be helpful, and ring up purchases. I can do that, no problem. I hadn’t actually expected to get the job, but after I’d filled out an application, the owner, Dane—the guy with the piercings and black eyeliner—hired me on the spot.
    I’m actually kind of excited about working there. There is nothing in the store that I would ever consider buying for myself, and that’s the beauty of it. I get to dress in unfamiliar clothing and immerse myself in a lifestyle that is all new to me. Dane had also informed me that they transform half the store into a Halloween shop for the month of October. I’m not big into Halloween, but hey, I bet it’ll be fun. Working at Cordane’s will definitely provide a distraction from my miserable existence here in Ambler Ridge.
    As I cut into my stuffed pork chop, I debate on whether to bring up my new job to my mom and Mitch.
    “Krista? Have you heard a word I’ve said?” I hear my mom ask with exasperation.
    I look up, realizing that both she and Mitch are looking at me expectantly. Looks like this is the perfect opening to announce my news, and I set down my fork. “I got a job.”
    My mom stares at me with surprise. “A job?”
    “I’ll need gas and personal money,” I explain.
    “Oh, well I guess that would be a good idea. I just didn’t think you’d try to find something so soon.”
    I shrug. “There’s not much to do around here, so I went to Manchester and checked out some places that were hiring.”
    “Where will you be working?” Mitch asks with interest as he reaches for his glass.
    “The Dark Side of Cordane’s.”
    “The dark side of what?” My mom looks puzzled, and she looks at Mitch to get his reaction.
    Mitch stares at me, then frowns as he sets down his glass. “Cordane’s?” he asks quietly. He hesitates, then glances at my mom before