Writing prompt archive

Discount demon

{$5000 and it's yours, just do me a favor and never open it ok?}

I looked at the shopkeeper in bewilderment. '5,000 bucks for this?' I looked down at the small box. It wasnt any bigger than the palm of my hand, could easily fit in my pocket along with my hand and room to spare. Then again, this is a College of Magi certified Shop of The Cursed. So, it very well be cursed. On the other hand, it could be one of the fake recreations to get the shop more money.

The shopkeeper, looking very nervous, saw my expression and seemed to panic. "Fine, $5! Just get it out of my shop and promise me you'll never let it free!" My brows shot up. That was quite the jump in price. 'He must really want this thing gone.' I glance at the worn unassuming box on the counter. Then I shrug and take out my wallet. 'Might as well. Nothing else here had caught my eye and I promised myself I wouldn't leave without something. As long as I heed his warning and don't open it, I'll be fine......right?'

As soon as I payed, the shopkeeper ushered me out of the shop with the box as quickly as he could. I blinked as the shop door slammed shut behind me. "Well then," I muttered to the box, or whatever was inside to cause that reaction. "I guess you're coming home with me." I stuff the box and my hand in my jacket pocket, using my other to pull up my scarf over my mouth and nose as I walked against the harsh winter wind.

Everyone I passed either avoided me or glared me down like I was what caused every wrong that ever happened. In their eyes, I did. All because I live in the Dark Wood and haven't vanished under 'mysterious circumstances'. I mutter to myself, or maybe it's to the box.

"'Mysterious circumstances'. Yeah, right. The College of Magi just doesn't like anyone knowing what's in that forest. The second they start to they get 'vanished'." I scoff, "What better way to control us 'uncultured folk' than with fear of the unknown. 'Lesser of two evils' and what-not." I roll my eyes. I've lived in that forest for almost a full year now. Sure there have been a few unexplained things here and there or a strange shape in the dark of the forest but otherwise its been pretty calm.

Then again, lately whatever lives there has started to get more agitated. 'I wonder if it has anything to do with the semi-annual Festival of Magi?' Either way its gotten so bad I went into town to find something to ward off the creatures until they calm down again. Plus if this box is cursed, I could use the company. It gets lonely up there on my own.

As I step onto the beginning of the path to my house, into the shelter of the trees, I lower my scarf and pull the box out of my poccet to study it. In the shade of the trees the small grooves on it caught the light just perfectly to make it seem to glow. Or, at least i hoped.

I hummed to myself and lightly traced it's grooves as I spoke to it again. "I wonder how you got trapped in there. Was it a trap? Were you lured in there? Or were you betrayed by someone you trusted? If you're even real, anyway." I went quiet for a second, watching my step over a patch of roots that had slightly grown out of the path to try and trip any unaware travelers.

"It must be so lonely in there for however long you've been trapped. No wonder the shopkeeper seemed scared of you. If I were trapped in a tiny box with no way out for who knows how long, I would be grumpy too." I looked at the small box again, gently stroking my thumb against its side. "Please don't take that anger out on me, though." The slight glow effect seemed to get sharper at that so I continued. "I know you have no reason to listen to me but...." I trailed off. Everyone knows the worst thing to do with a cursed object is to make a deal with whatever is in it, but this one time wouldn't hurt.....right?

"How about a deal?" The glow effect lessened a tad, not as sharp. I took that as intrigue so I continued. "You don't take your anger out on me, and I'll do my best to keep you company so you aren't so bored." The glow went sharp again and I rolled my eyes. "I know you probably want to be let out instead, no offense or anything, but I dont have that much of a death wish. I'll even leave you outside at night so you can scare off, kill, make a deal with, whatever you want, to the thing that is trying to destroy my house. How about that?"

The glow on the box stayed the same for a second before dimming down. Probably a reluctant acceptance. Good enough for me. I finally get to my ramshackle house and walk inside. Hopefully this won't backfire.

[I may make a part 2/continuation of this one]