Image: Dawn M Miller
Main Street Books was run by Mr Adolphus Miller, a bookseller of renown.
Adolphus liked old books. They contained secrets and stories from times past. He nurtured the thought that he was preserving them for future generations.
Some books were novelties of their time with cute illustrations, others a record of the social history of a time long forgotten.
Some books were out and out dangerous.
He kept them under lock and key.
These were books of magic, spells and potions that as a young man he had dabbled with much to his peril.
Before opening his store each morning he would check the bottom drawer of his desk, making sure the key he secured there was as he had left it.
He ignored its protesting gyrations, shutting and locking the drawer.
Mr Miller, knowing today was his one hundred and seventieth birthday, opened his front door again.
Words 149
Written for: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/flash-fiction-for-aspiring-writers-feb-18-2015/
Morpethroad 
Excellent story Tommy! He dabbled with the magic much to his peril – he lives forever or at least for a very long time. So this is not necessarily a good thing – to live forever (at least not in this world). Very creative and is easily imagined from the images you create. Welcome! Thank you for participating and I hope you will continue. 🙂
I found you through another blogger and happy to partake joy. Michael.
I’m so very glad you found us!!
Great story
Thanks for stopping by Eric.
Great story
so he dabbled and was able to age to a ripe old age eh? Wonder how he likes that? 😉
Good story in so few words Michael.
Thank you Jackie, I think it would have its drawer backs. You’d be making a lot of new friends for one thing as the old ones died off.
Hmmm very interesting story. It flowed well and I feel like I got so much in so little words. I could easily imagine him in my head. And I loved the little twist at the end. A wizard. A sorcerer. Black magician. The only thing I wonder, and maybe its only a matter of clarity is what does he aim to achieve? Does he want to live forever? Or to preserve books forever? Maybe it was what he was dabbling in? Just a thought you might want to hint at. Overall well done!
Thank you for your insightful comments. One of the issues I find with flash fiction is often you raise more questions than you can answer.
I take on board your criticism but then again I don’t mind if you the reader conjure your own answers. Thanks again for stopping by.
I think I want me one of those books 😉 no seriously..get me one. Good story Michael.
I’ll have to check on the key. Best to take it when he’s not looking.
Well of course you need to be sneaky 😉
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That’s a bookstore I’d love to visit. It reminds me a bit of the bookstore in the Neverending Story.
Yes you are right, “This book is not for you” said the book shop owner….Thanks for stopping by Lyn.
A great mystical take on the prompt, Michael. It left me wondering about all sorts… how long Adolphus lives, the future of those books and, of course, if I could get my hands on them 😉 Great job
Yes a few readers were wondering the same.
Thanks so much for the follow as well. Have a good day Cat.
Surprise ending! And i guess that is what gave the entire process of keeping books under lock and key a meaning 🙂
Indeed it did. Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my post.
It seems it’s not only his books that contain secrets and stories from times past. Good job!
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