So it all started with a pumpkin spice latte.

A very good one by the way.

The owner of the brand new coffee shop bragged about it savory warm taste as well as it natural ingredients. He didn't mention the fact that it could make you travel back in time.

🎃🎃🎃

I was casually walking in the streets of Yellow Springs, when I saw the new coffee shop.

I stopped in front of its showcases. I could see through the glass the cozy inside of the shop. Comfortable brown sofas with soft knitted pillows and blankets. Green plants were falling gracefully on a bookshelf filled with hundreds of books, CD and vintage photos. As I looked up, I saw a wooden sign.

The Secret Cozy Café

I suddenly remembered the strange rumors about this place. My friends Jessica and Noah both confirmed me those rumors.

- There is something particular about this place, says Jessica sipping her hot tea.

- What are you talking about? I ask watching the dance of the dead leaves in the air.

- Well the place is really charming and the beverages are absolutely delicious! she starts, But it is like you are in a bubble where time has no impact. Like we could stay there for years and only a couple of seconds would pass outside.

- You are being silly Jess, I laugh.

- She is not wrong, protest Noah, it is like...magic.

- Ok... what do they put in those drinks? I ask suspicious.

- Well go and see for yourself.

I had this conversation a month ago, and I completely forgot going there. Since I was just in front of it, I decided to go in.

I gently pushed the door. Immediately I was overwhelmed with the warm scent of dark creamy chocolate and crispy pumpkin pie.

A tall man lifted his head as I arrived. His intense hazelnut gaze was filled with softness. He walked towards me cleaning his hands full of flour on his back apron.

- Welcome to Secret Cozy Café, he greeted, I am Benjamin, the owner.

I shakes his hands trying to figure from which country his strange accent belonged. His eyes glowed with an unknown emotion as he smiled. I almost jumped when I felt a furry ball purring next to my legs.

- Oh please don't be scared, it is Sabrina, my cat.

As I looked down, I saw a jet black cat starring at me with two golden eyes, similar to a silvery golden moon. I silently thought that Sabrina was a weird name for a cat. It would be more appropriate for a pale young woman with straight ink black hair and a passion for esoteric cards and crystals.

- Welcome to Yellow Springs, I answer, Everyone is talking about this place, I figured out I might try it.

Of course I did not mention the strange rumors.

- Well I hope I won't deceive you, he laugh lightly. Please sit where you want.

Even with its big popularity, the place was empty. Nothing unusual, it was the nearly Halloween. Everyone was fleeing this small town, for the bigger ones. Noah went to Alaska to see his family and Jessica to Phoenix to see her boyfriend, leaving me alone in Ohio.

I sat down in a chair that looked like a bird nest. Small lights were shining between the branches. I took the menu and read carefully.

🍂Dark Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

🍂Four Spices Latte

🍂Intense Nuts Coffee

🍂Crimsons Leaves Tea

🍂Hot Honey Apple Juice

After long minutes of deep thinking, I chose a Honey Apple Juice and a piece of berry pie. Benjamin came back a few minutes later with my snack.

- Enjoy, he said winking.

The hot juice was served in a clay mug. It was delicately sculpted with leaves and pumpkins. I carefully took a sip. I almost gasp as the warm liquid flowed in my mouth. Honey, apple, cinnamon and spices I could not name we're dancing on my tongue in the most perfect harmony.

I putted the mug down and eagerly took a bit of my pie. I closed my eyes, savoring the sweetness of the small berries and softness of the dough.

I laid back on my chair finally understanding my friends. The feeling of the time stopping and cozy feeling of a timeless bubble.

- Here try this, proposed Benjamin putting a clay mug shaped as pumpkin.

- I didn't order this, I answered surprise.

- It is my brand new creation, a Pumpkin Spice Latte with a few adjustments. A perfect balance of fresh brewed coffee bean that grew next to a pumpkin field. I added a spoon of homemade mashed pumpkin as well as cinnamon and almond milk.

- Be careful you are talking to a futur chef? I said laughing.

- You are cook? he asked delighted.

- Not right now, I am only a student, I explained.

I looked at the mug, already imagining its wonderful taste.

- Please drink it, it is on the house, he added with a bright smile.

I took the mug, ready to taste an other masterpiece. As soon as I swallowed a first sip of the Latte, everything became weird.

Time stopped.

Benjamin was frozen. I looked outside and gasped in horror when I saw an old couple frozen in the streets. They were probably walking just a second before, their dog was a still as a marble statue. The leaves were motionless in the air. Even the smell stopped circling around. Everything looked like a giant picture with me stuck in it.

What happened next was very fast: the world move again, only it was backwards.

People were walking backwards, leaves were going back to the branches, the sun went back to sunrise. Little by little the buildings were being demolished or built and the seasons passed as fast as stars falls.

Suddenly everything stopped and I was in the middle of an old barn sitting on the floor. I stayed sited for a few seconds to stun to think about anything rational. I got up quickly and rushed outside, the pale light of the full moon welcomed me as well as the scent of fresh leaves and pumpkin.

Where am I?

Suddenly a faint trembling light appeared at the border of the forest. I quickly run towards it. A tall ginger woman was holding a candle light.

- Excuse me!

The woman turned around and didn't hide her surprise to see me.

- I-I got lost and I don't know where I am.

- You are right at the border of Salem, she answered with a high pitched tone.

It is only then that I noticed her strange clothes an old fashioned dress with a leather corset. A horrible doubt spread.

- Excuse me, what year are we?

Her eyes became wary but she answered:

- We are the 16th October 1692.