Short Stories

Weird Modern Folk Tale

Once there was a rich man who longed for power. He owned more than 20 of the worlds greatest and richest casinos on the planet.

But much to his dismay, with time other leading companies have also created popular casinos. Do to this, the money rate decreased greatly and he sought out cheaty ways to become number 1 once more.

"My my, you were number 1 without cheating weren't you?" A small creature that appeared to be the size of a mouse with large black ears and small beady eyes asked. With a twisted sort of smile it hopped over to him exposing its large rabbit like feet and sharp teeth.

"Who are you? What concern is it to you?" He demanded. The creature came to the desk he was sitting at and leaned against his arm rest.

"Let us make a deal. In time I will be much taller, before I reach your height you must identify my age. If you succeed then your salary as well as your spot at number 1 will be regained." It offered. Now that it was closer the man could see its hideous face and long whiskers. It had a thin layer of rough black hair and it spoke with a mischievous tone.

He told himself not to trust the creature, but the other told him he could once again be rich and surely he could payoff the dept if he can't guess its age.

"Wait, and if I don't guess your age?" The man thought he was being smart but after he received his response he immediately regretted it.

"Your soul." It said simply. Confused the Man asked again.

"I beg your pardon? You want my soul?"

"Yes, both of them." It stood quaintly and spoke casually.

"Both? What are you on about? Souls aren't real and moreover how can one bear two souls?"

"It's quite possible. Everyone has souls. I'll tell you what, if you can't guess my age at the end. Then guess where your souls are and you can keep those too." It smirked. The man nodded entrusting the creature.

"Deal." Once the man sealed the deal the creature laughed as it turned and ran back the way it came.

Over the years the creature came back every week with money, but he also grew taller. The span of 2 years went by when the creature came back one day without any money.

"Where's the loot?" The man asked puzzled.

"I'm your height now and I'm real hungry so let's make this quick." It folded its arms and grimaced at the man. It now stood at 6 feet the same as the man's. It grew horns over the 2 years he grew, they curled and were pointy as if he sharpened them.

"What are you on about?" He asked.

"Did you forget our deal?" The now aggravated creature snorted.

"Oh yes. The deal. I suppose you are my height now aren't you?"

"Well? What do you think my age is?" It sneered. Staring at the mans feet he licked his lips. "Hurry I'm hungry, you have three guesses."

"Umm... Are you 25?"

"Nope."

"Are you 50?"

"Nope."

"Are you 15?"

"Nope, time's up. Give me your souls." The creature grabbed knives from behind its back and stepped over to the man while licking its lips.

"Wait! You said I could guess where my souls are!" The man said frightened.

"Grrr... That's right. So where are they?" His grimace turned to a smirk as he knew the man wouldn't know the answer.

Smirking the man said, "First off, you're after my feet aren't you?"

Dumbfounded the creature dropped its knives and stumbled backwards. It shrunk approximately 2 feet.

"Second, my soles are in my feet. After all I have two of them and everyone else's got 'em too!"

"No!" The creature shrunk another 2 feet and began to look worried.

"Third of all, you. Are. Not. Real. We are the same. You are simply the ugly version of me that shriveled up inside of me and left when my money rate decreased! You bargained me like I bargained others for money!" The man shouted. The creature shrunk to its original size, but didn't look upset. More content then angry.

"So you've finally learned." And with that the creature blew away in a heap of dust through his window.

The man learnt a valuable lesson when he woke from the long dream that night.

"What an odd dream, but I'll be sure not to cheat anymore."

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I'm messed in the head. So what was your opinion on it?

-Author