While Emily perused the messages on her NextDoor account, a smile found its way to her lips. Despite the countless times she had used Leavenworth Downtown Park as a backdrop for her marathon training, she had somehow remained oblivious to the coffee shop that currently buzzed with discussion in the neighborhood. Her runs had always served as a mental escape from her demanding career as a physician, her mind wandering far from the here and now. 

By the time she reached the end of the post, a short laugh escaped her lips. "What do they put in that coffee?" she mused aloud. Her reaction was as spontaneous as it was genuine, given her penchant for science and skepticism. The post was filled with stories of magical occurrences inside the quaint little coffee shop, from a man claiming to speak with his deceased ex-wife to a woman who miraculously discovered her long-lost child's whereabouts. "People see what they want to see..."

Emily's Apple watch reminded her it was time for her run. She couldn't deny a degree of curiosity about the place. As she approached the neighborhood of the coffee shop, her pace naturally slowed, and her eyes scanned the surroundings for the unnoticed establishment. It wasn't long before she spotted it: a charming little shop with a royal blue wooden door and windows adorned with a sign that read "Magic Beans." She couldn't help but think,
"Well-fitted name."

Peering through the window, Emily glimpsed the cozy interior furnished with meticulously crafted wooden chairs and delicate vases of fresh wildflowers. Strange, she thought, resuming her run on the frosty afternoon, her boots crunching rhythmically on the snow. Half an hour later, she found herself standing in front of the enchanting blue door once more. It was Christmas Eve in Leavenworth, a day typically swarming with visitors, chatter, and children's laughter. Emily hesitated to enter, her concerns twofold: the possibility of a crowded interior and the lingering worry of getting contaminated with some unknown chemicals from the coffee. Her decision, however, was made for her when a woman in her forties swung open the door, a tray of steaming blueberry cupcakes in hand. The tantalizing aroma enveloped the hungry, indecisive runner in an instant, and all her reservations melted away.

"Come in and choose your favorite spot," the woman warmly invited. "It's empty right now. Seems I forgot to flip the sign after my late break... But that's okay."

A surge of relief washed over Emily as she crossed one concern off her list. 'Is this place new?' The question slipped from her lips before her eyes fully registered the coffee shop's enchanting décor. The setting was a step backward in time, with handcrafted furniture, soft oil lamp lighting, and medieval music playing softly in the background.

The woman chuckled softly, helping Emily settle into a high-backed chair by the counter and placing a piping hot cupcake before her. 'No,' she replied with a knowing smile. "I feel like I've been here for centuries..."

Before Emily could inquire about the origin of the furniture and the enchanting music that enveloped the space, the woman vanished into the back, leaving her in splendid isolation. An eerie sense of familiarity regarding the woman lingered in the air, a possibility that wasn't far-fetched given Emily's numerous patients in the area.

"What will you be having to drink?" inquired the woman, and Emily's response tumbled forth before she could even contemplate it.

"A cappuccino!"

"An excellent choice for Christmas Eve," the woman acknowledged, and in a heartbeat, she returned with a steaming cup, startling Emily. She couldn't fathom how her desire had been anticipated.

"How did you know?..."

"You'll understand once you taste it," came the reply, accompanied by a faint smile.

Emily mulled it over for a moment and then, with an equally enigmatic grin, countered, "Indeed, the Magic beans!"

"Magic beans, indeed," the woman echoed before Emily took delicate sips of the sweet concoction, which possessed subtle hints of vanilla and pumpkin—Emily's favorites. 

Heat radiated from the cup, spreading a warm flush across her cheeks and triggering an unusual sensation of lassitude that seemed to consume her. Her entire body became suffused with an almost unbearably warm sensation. It was akin to sunlight, although her logical mind instantly dismissed such thoughts. After all, it was Christmas. Nevertheless, the sun-like warmth persisted, and Emily began to perceive the presence of buzzing insects and the sound of splashing water. She couldn't help but suspect hallucinogenic effects induced by some form of drug. Damn woman!

"Help! Help!"