Shop At Beezles Department Store. (standard:horror, 4796 words)
Author: Oscar A Rat	Added: Jul 04 2020	Views/Reads: 1183/818	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The super store that was not there.

"That's a funny sign," Pat Cook commented, pointing out the car window. 

They were traveling along State Route 101.  Her husband,  Jerry, was
driving.  They were looking at a large poster that seemed to hover in 
thin air beside the six-lane highway.  It said: 

[If you want it -- we got it.  Guaranteed to beat any price in the
country.  Beezle's Department Store.  Five miles on your right.] 

"Looks like one of those hologram thingies, honey.  I heard of them. 
Some kind of projector puts it right in the air.  See, you can even see 
the stars through it." 

Being more educated than his wife, Jerry was always ready to impart his
knowledge. 

The next one was two miles farther along, since it said: 

[Always shopping, but never satisfied?  We take care of you.  Anything,
absolutely anything in the world.  You want it -- we have it.  Beezle's 
Department Store.  Your one-stop shop.  Only three more miles on your 
right-hand side.] 

They saw one more, a little later: 

[Last chance for Beezle's.  The largest and most complete department
store in the state.  You don't want to miss us.  Open 24/7 and every 
holiday except Christmas.  Just take the next right for the best 
selection you will ever find, anywhere in this world.] 

That sign was the largest, the brightest, and flashed enticingly. 

"Maybe we should, Jerry.  You want'a?"  Pat asked.  "I could use new
curtains, the heavy old-fashioned kind like my mother has.  The signs 
say they have 'everything'." 

"Might as well,"  Jerry concurred, changing lanes. "I am tired and it's
a chance to get out and stretch." 

He slowed down and turned onto a much smaller road.  Only a lane and a
half wide, it had a shiny blacktopped surface, almost like plastic.  A 
sign on his side said:  Route 666.  Warning, no exit. 

Jerry drove down an almost empty road, only one other car in sight.  A
new-looking green Pontiac a couple of hundred yards ahead of them. 

"I hope it's not too far, honey," Pat observed. "I don't see any lights
or anything." 

Jerry noticed that there didn't appear to be any other roads crossing
theirs, and no "stop" or other traffic signs.  As they drove, the way 
ahead of them grew foggy, the black surface harder to see in the dark. 

After a few miles, they maneuvered around a curve to see the red and
blue flashing lights of a police cruiser.  Jerry, being a police 
lieutenant himself, was well familiar with the sight.  The squad car 
was parked along the side of the road, two officers standing around, 
stopping traffic. 

Jerry pulled up behind the Pontiac.  A Ford sat ahead of both, a tall
slightly chubby policeman talking to the driver. 

A minute later, the Ford continued along the road and the Pontiac pulled
up to the policeman.  While they watched, an old man got out and 
gestured forward.  He seemed angry.  The policeman, standing at ease, 
pointed back at them.  The old man returned to his car, angrily turned 
it around in a clear space, and zipped back past Jerry and Pat.  It was 
so close on the narrow road that a few stones clattered off Jerry's 
car. 

Wondering what was going on, Jerry eased forward, stopping level with
the policeman. 

"What's going on, officer?"  Jerry asked, seeing Pat's head alongside
his own. 


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