Apothecary Diaries Ch 1 Novels & Stories

It wasn’t very thick, but it was long and smooth. Almost in a trance, I rose, took it from its holder, and carried it back to my bed with trembling hands. I pulled my nightdress up to my waist, spread my legs, and pressed the cool wax against my aching slit. A violent shiver ran through me when it brushed my swollen clit. I was already dripping. I rubbed it up and down, coating it with my wetness, then brought it to my entrance. It hurt at first. I was so tight. I spat on the candle, rubbed the saliva over the tip, and tried again. This time it slid in. I pushed until I felt the resistance of my hymen. I knew what it was. I knew what I was about to do.

Harper never did anything by accident. The rest of the evening passed in a blur of sugar, bad karaoke, and jokes about me being too good for the hospital now. But that night, after everyone had gone to bed, I found myself sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, the book in my lap. The apartment was dark, except for the small kitchen lamp left on for Liam. I opened the book carefully, fingers trailing along the handwritten notes in the margins. Most of the spells made no sense to me. Herbs I’d never heard of. Symbols that looked half-alchemical, half-celestial. Then I saw it.

Chapter 16: What are you doing? "Why do you have this with you?" Dahlia asked Elsie, scrutinizing her with intense eyes. When Elsie didn't respond, Dahlia anxiously opened the book, her fingers trembling. The pages were filled with various ingredients and herbal recipes, and she was truly impressed by the hundreds of formulas. Being someone who specialized in creating herbal soaps and lotions, she could recognize the excellence of the recipes, which had a hundred percent chance of having therapeutic effects.

He had hurried to leave after preparing the medicine, not wanting to face Diana again. Diana was curious about his behavior, but she couldn’t force him to answer her questions. Taking the bowl, Diana drank all the medicine. It didn’t taste good at all; it was bitter and cold, Diana felt her tongue go numb after drinking it. After thinking for a while, Diana took her bag and packed her books inside, then left for the college library.

The pages smelled of new paper and ink, but there was something more there — an earthy, ancestral odor that seemed to emanate from the knowledge contained in the words. I flipped through the chapters, the rituals, the recipes. Nothing seemed real. Nothing seemed right. They were vague words, obscure metaphors, warnings that confused more than they explained. My head hurt, my eyes burned, but I kept turning pages, looking for something — anything — that would give me direction. And then, on page 147, I found it.

Sophia asked, so I said yes. I flip through the pages, scanning lists of medicines. Pain relievers. Antibiotics. Salves. Things meant to fix what breaks. I make small marks where numbers do not line up. Two vials missing here. Extra gauze there. Nothing alarming. Still, I double check. People rely on this place more than they like to admit. My phone stays quiet. I catch myself staring at the doorway like Aurora might walk in. I finish the last page and close the file. I stack it on top of the others, straighten the edges, line everything up. Control where I can get it.

- Final Solution* Beatrice Caldwell? Quickly, I pull out the folder. The folder is thin and contains only a few documents. I open it. And the first words I see on the first document instantly drags me down memory lane. *Nightshade acquisition, 50 packets. Supplier: Morgan’s Apothecary* Apothecary? Nightshade? Nightshade was Beatrice’s favourite tea brand, but to have it gotten from an Apothecary? What the hell is going on? Hurriedly, I bring out my phone and begin taking pictures. Now is not the time to ask questions. I take photos of all the documents before closing the folder and putting it back into place with the others inside the cabinet.

"The master ledger should be in the drawer." While he went to the desk, I approached the locked wooden cabinet on the wall. The door was made of dark, heavy plum wood, carved with the seal of the imperial apothecary. I used the brass keys to open it. Inside, the shelves were lined with small, blue-and-white porcelain jars. I began reading the labels. Red nightshade. Black locust. Death-cap extract. Then, my hand stopped on a small, unpainted grey clay jar. The label on it read: Gray Wolfsbane.

Charlie took out the pocket-sized book carefully and saw ‘Apocalyptic Book’ written in ancient script on the title page. “The name is quite interesting, I wonder what is written inside.” Charlie flipped the book and read its contents. The first chapter was the ‘Medical Techniques’, which recorded a large number of cases and treatment methods. Charlie frowned curiously. He had studied medicine briefly before and knew some basic theories, but the content in the books was obviously much better and advanced than the methods used in the medical industry nowadays. Some methods of diagnosis and treatment were unheard of even. In fact, at the end of the ‘Medical Techniques’ chapter, he saw a content

Diane replied almost comically as she cocked her head inquisitively. "It is a type of abortion powder. One such as this is pure and highly effective... Were you trying to get an abortion Miss Diane?" the man asked as he folded the paper and handed it back to Diane. "...! N... NO! I... didn't even know about this... how..." Diane replied, offended by what the apothecary said. ***