Prinsoner No. 25738 (Karramae's Story)

Page 4: The Unjust Deal

   Actis looked up to the voice that stopped whatever the chilling cold was. But all he saw was a black mist.

   Mortals are not supposed to be here, the voice said.

   Suddenly, Actis felt as though he was being strangled. He began to cough and struggle as he felt himself being lifted into the air by his neck. He could see the black mist surrounding his neck and knew that it was the reason to his choking.

   How did you get here? the voice questioned in a menacing tone.

   Actis could not respond, however. His airwaves had been cut off. The mist slowly began to take the form of a person, but it was far from anyone else Actis had seen.

   This man was about eight feet in height; he was somewhat a giant. His skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow, with exception to his facial area. His face was torn, greying, half-dead skin. The person's body was covered in muscles that rippled with each movement. His eyes were a crimson red, like they had been filled with blood. Some of the red fluid leaked from the side of his mouth, and he simply wiped it away with his tongue. The man wore a tattered tunic, his entire torso bare.

   "P-please..." Actis managed to croak out. "L-let me g-go..."

   The man raised an eyebrow. "You wish to leave this place?"

   Actis nodded his reply. But the man merely chuckled. "You are here because you want something. And I can grant it to you."

   Actis looked at the strange man. "I...I don't want-"

   "Don't lie to me!" the person bellowed.

   The man then glared at Actis viciously, who was staring in fear. The man dropped Actis.

   "I am known as Saracktim. And I know everything about you, Actis Hagai." he says in a low hiss.

   The man whose name was Saracktim then kicked Actis across the black ground. He coughed, and from the darkness came low, amused hissing and laughter.

   "Tell me what you desire, Actis, and I shall grant it. But there will be a price."

   Actis looked up at Saracktim. "I...I just want m-my life back. My manor, a-a family. It's all I want."

   Saracktim nodded. "Mm, now that you see how hard things can be?" He paused. "Very well. But there are two exceptions: One: you will not get your parents or...brother back; Two: something of yours will become mine."

   Something of mine... He thought. What would he want...?

   Actis sighed softly and agreed. He wanted his life back. He wanted a family, but this was a dream, right? Wasn't all of this a dream?

   A paper appeared in front of Actis, beside it a quill.

   "Just sign...and everything will be fixed..."

   Actis took the quill, staring at the paper for a few moments before signing it. Saracktim grinned, and Actis saw a row of yellowing, razor-sharp teeth.

   "The deal is sealed," Saracktim said.

   A burning pain erupted in Actis' core, and he screamed in pain. He then blacked out.