Candy Killers by KellyAnneBlount

Chapter One

"Why can't we get more cookies?" whined Ella.

Our mother arched an eyebrow and stifled a yawn. "Ella, we have enough cookies."

She's such a brat, I thought to myself as we walked by Mrs. Knickerbocker's Sweets and Treats shop. The shop had opened less a few weeks ago and it had been packed every day since. My mouth watered from the sugary aroma in the air, but I'd never admit that to my little sister. She made every single moment all about her. My parents never stopped to ask what I wanted, it all came down to Ella's choices and Ella's decisions.

"I WANT COOKIES!" screamed Ella. She fell to the ground and began failing her arms wildly.

I cracked a smile. If the sidewalk hadn't been plowed, she would have made a snow angel. Well, perhaps a snow demon.

Our mother bent over and collected Ella from the ground. She kicked and swung her arms.

"You are such a brat," I muttered under my breath.

"Jace, don't speak to your sister like that," scolded my mother.

Most people would be shocked. I simply shook my head.

Ella stuck out her tongue at me before starting to sob, her entire body shaking in our mother's hands. Like clockwork, mom set her down and wiped her tears. A few seconds later, we were in the candy shop.

---

Chapter Two

Mrs. Knickerbocker smiled as the bell on the front door jingled.

We stood in line behind a family of three and two teenagers. The menu had over fifty different sugary treats and twenty flavors of ice cream.

Ella started to list off everything she wanted. My mother pulled out her phone and recorded the list.

"What do you want, Jace?" she asked.

"I'm good," I told her.

"Jace doesn't deserve anything!" spat Ella.

My blood boiled. "You know what? I'd love a piece of fudge. Mint chocolate chip."

Our mother added it to our list. This time, I stuck out my tongue. Childish, I know, but I couldn't help myself.

When we got to the counter, my mother rattled off a long list. She forgot my fudge, but I didn't care, my eyes had landed on something much better. A "Help Wanted," sign stood in the corner of the store.

"Anything else?" asked Mrs. Knickerbocker, a slight shake in her hands as she scooped up a pile of chocolate covered pretzels.

"Are you still looking for help?" I asked.

The older woman with wispy white hair smiled. "Yes, dear. Are you looking for a job?"

I nodded, ignoring the shocked look on my mother's face. "Do you have an application?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Can you stop by tomorrow at 4PM?"

I nodded. "Absolutely!"

***

"Are you sure you have time for a job?" asked my father. "What about your classes? When will you study?"

"Mrs. Knickerbocker only needs help on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturdays. I can work afterschool on the week days and Saturday she needs me from seven until noon. That shouldn't impact my study time."

He frowned and ran a hand through his black hair. "Are you sure?"

"Totally."

Shrugging his shoulders, my father said, "I don't see a reason why you shouldn't give it a try. But, if your grades fall, you quit, immediately. Deal?"

"Deal."

---

Chapter Three

I chained up my bike on Saturday morning and stretched my hands above my head. "First job, here I come!"

Mrs. Knickerbocker stood behind the counter, rolling out cookie dough.

"Ah, Jace! Glad you're here."

I slid off my coat and held it in my hands. "Thank you again for the job. I'm really excited to work here."

"You can put your coat in the closet over there," said Mrs. Knickerbocker, nodding her head toward a door behind the counter. "Then meet me in the backroom. We'll go over what I need you to do every day."

With powdered sugar flying through the air, Mrs. Knickerbocker listed off my duties. "I'll need you to sweep, wash the pans, and take inventory of what I have out in the display cases. You are allowed five items free of cost every day you work. Don't take more, that's stealing."

"Yes ma'am. Anything else?" I asked.

Mrs. Knickerbocker smiled and winked. "I'm planning something special. Let's talk about it at the end of the day."

Something seemed off about her smile, but I shook it off and grabbed the broom.

People trailed in and out of the shop all day. I counted the bell ringing thirty-seven times in one hour.

By the time Mrs. Knickerbocker turned the "Open," sign over, we had sold out of fifteen items and only had a handful of the remaining items left.

"What a day!" I exclaimed.

Mrs. Knickerbocker smiled. "It's like this every Saturday. People love their sweets!"

I handed her a clipboard. "Here's the inventory. We only have seventeen items left."

"Did you pick your five?"

"Not yet."

"Here," she said handing me a small paper bag.

I thanked her and filled it carefully with five items.

"I wouldn't share with your sister," said Mrs. Knickerbocker in the background.

I spun around. "Pardon?"

"She's not very nice," said Mrs. Knickerbocker in a matter-of-fact tone.

I smiled. "You're the first person ever to admit that. It's nice to hear."

Before she could say anything else, the store phone rang.

"Thank you for your help today, Jace. I'll be on this call for a while. Please see yourself out."

I nodded.

"Oh, Jace," said Mrs. Knickerbocker, "give your sister this, it might shut her up for the night."

Mischief twinkled in her eyes as I frowned and took the bright green lollipop in her outstretched hand.

"Thank you," I said before turning around and grabbing my coat. "See you next week!"

I paused a moment before pushing on the door.

"Yes, we're almost ready," whispered Mrs. Knickerbocker. "No, no one has a clue. They'll be completely unprepared."

Goosebumps snaked up my arms as her dainty laugh filled the shop. I pushed through the door and let the cold winter air rush over my face.

---

Chapter Four

I carefully tucked my bag of treats away in the back of the cupboard. I'd offer my mom and dad one, but I wanted to give Ella her sucker first.

My little sister popped her head around the corner. "What's that?"

Before I could offer it to her, she snatched it out of my hand and raced out of the room.

"Brat..." I muttered to myself.

The front door shut with a loud thump. My Aunt Lara entered the kitchen with a broad smile.

"Hey, Jace! How did your first at the candy shop day go?"

I smiled. "Great!" I retrieved the bag from the cupboard. "Would you like something to snack on? The fudge is my favorite, but it's all good."

"You know I can't say no to dark chocolate," she said reaching in and retrieving a dark chocolate covered truffle.

I let out a laugh and grabbed a piece of fudge.

"Mmmmmm!" exclaimed Lara. "This is the best dessert ever. Like, of all time."

"Glad you like it," I replied. "I'm going to head upstairs to wash up for dinner. See you in a few."

***

The next morning, I woke up to Ella's screams.

Springing up from the bed, I ran into her room, bumping into our mother on the way.

"Ella, what's wrong?" she asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"I had a nightmare! The bad lady was trying to get me."

Holding out her hand, my mother held it against Ella's forehead. "You're burning up. Jace, can you get me the Children's Tylenol and a cool wet wash cloth?"

I nodded and headed to the bathroom.

Even though she was a huge pain, I hated to see my little sister sick.

***

Four days had passed before Ella left her room other than to go to the bathroom. She had been to the doctor twice, but they couldn't come up with anything other than it being a virus. No one else got sick, not even Aunt Lara.

I rode my bike to work after school on Wednesday. Snowflakes fell from the sky as grey clouds rolled overhead.

I pulled my bike up to the rack on the side of the shop and secured it with a lock.

"Jace, come meet me in the back room," called Mrs. Knickerbocker.

The room smelled of vanilla and cinnamon.

"Listen, I am planning something really big and I need your help. Do you think you could come in a few extra days next week?" asked Mrs. Knickerbocker, flour coating her hands.

The frantic look on her face worried me. "Sure, I'd be happy to come in a few extra days. What are you planning?"

She wiped her brow with the back of her hand. "The new court house is opening in two weeks and they've hired me to cater the event. On top of the opening, they are having a lighting ceremony with a massive Christmas tree."

"Wow, that's great."

Her face fell. "I'm completely behind."

I bit my lower lip. Mrs. Knickerbocker reminded me of my grandmother and I hated that she was so upset. "I can come every day after school and if you'd like, I can ask my friend Bryce to come help?"

She set a ball of dough down and gave me a big hug. "You're a lifesaver."

I smiled. I liked the feeling of being needed.

"Let's sit down and go over what I have planned in a few minutes. I'm just going to finish these cinnamon cookies."

"Sounds good. I'm going to clean the counters and display case off."

Mrs. Knickerbocker smiled, the wrinkles by her eyes deepening. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," I said before turning around and heading for the front.

"Oh, Jace, one more thing," said Mrs. Knickerbocker. "How did your sister like the candy?"

---

Chapter Five

Two weeks later, we pulled up in front of the court house with a van loaded with desserts.

"Oh my gosh," I murmured. We lived in a small town, so I figured there would be a good showing, but I never imagined the whole town would show up.

"Did we bring enough desserts?" asked Bryce.

Mrs. Knickerbocker grinned. "Definitely."

We got out of the van and grabbed the first round of trays.

The Mayor's assistant smiled as we filled table after table with cookies, fudge, candy, and other delicious desserts.

People began to fill up the large room and admired Mrs. Knickerbocker's work.

A tall woman with blonde hair rushed over. "Did you bring it?" asked Mrs. Knickerbocker.

The old woman smiled. "I'll fetch it right now."

I frowned. I recognized almost everyone in the crowd, except the tall blonde.

"Jace, can you help me with the final piece?" asked Mrs. Knickerbocker.

"Sure thing."

"Who was that lady?" I asked as we made our final trip to the van.

Mrs. Knickerbocker laughed. "Oh, just an old friend."

A knot formed in my stomach.

"Help me with the gingerbread house," instructed Mrs. Knickerbocker.

I reached in and pulled out a gingerbread version of the court house. My boss was like a candy architect.

She grabbed a large bag of small red candies that looked like gum drops before shutting the doors to the van.

"What are those?" I asked as I carefully balanced the gingerbread house in my hands.

"A special surprise," she said with a wink.

---

Chapter Six

"A huge thank you to Mrs. Knickerbocker for all of tonight's desserts," said the Mayor with a grin. "I think I've had at least six pieces of fudge."

Everyone laughed and nodded their heads in agreement.

"She has one final surprise for us tonight. Please grab one of the red candies and drop it in a flute of sparkling water. Once everyone has a drink, we'll raise our glasses to this magnificent building and the wonderful people inside."

As a line formed, the woman with the long hair snuck over to Mrs. Knickerbocker and whispered something in her ear.

I shivered, the hair on the back of my neck standing up straight.

A few moments later, everyone, including me, had their glasses raised.

"To new beginnings, old friends, and a prosperous future," said the Mayor with a huge grin.

People clinked their glasses together while simultaneous, "cheers," could be heard throughout the room.

One by one, people downed their drinks.

The bubbles tickled my chest as they slid down my throat and settled in my stomach.

The first scream erupted from the Mayor's assistant. Her face turned a deep shade of crimson, before she dropped her champagne flute. As the shards of glass scattered over the floor, the woman lost her balance and crashed to the floor.

The Mayor was next, followed by several people in the crowd. People fumbled to call 911 on their phones, most falling to the ground before they could even unlock their screens.

My hands started shaking as I turned toward Mrs. Knickerbocker. "What have you done?"

Her friend with long blonde hair sauntered over to me and leaned down.

"With everyone out of commission, the town is our playground. The bank, the jail, the pharmacy, it's all ours. By the time we're done, there won't be anything left."

As the room began to sway, I reached out to steady myself, but failed. Everything went black as I crashed to the ground.

---

Chapter Seven

The heist had been one of the largest ever recorded. Twenty-three people had died from the tainted candy; the bank had been completely cleaned out, and Mrs. Knickerbocker and her friend had stolen the pharmacy's supply of pain killers. They had even released all the men being held in the county jail, including a man accused of murdering his girlfriend.

Christmas had been ruined and lives had been destroyed, but we had all learned a valuable lesson, never take candy from a stranger.

THE END