Beyond the Dark (Series)

The Lottery Ticket

In the depths of a dark and eerie alleyway, max found himself confronted by a dangerous wager he had foolishly taken. Trading his life for a measly lottery ticket had seemed like a distant possibility until a looming figure emerged from the shadows, sending shivers down his spine. His grave had been dug for him, and there was no turning back.

A chilling voice commanded him to proceed, evoking a sense of despair within his very core. Yet, driven by a mix of desperation and dread, Max took a hesitant step into the enveloping darkness, feeling his courage and colour drain away. The shadows seemed to consume him, twisting and turning his insides as if they craved to devour him entirely.

Unexpectedly, the alley's end led to a surreal and captivating sight. A brilliant light bathed Max, replacing the malicious beast he expected with the comforting scent of sunshine and bread. It was an unexpected calm amidst the darkness. He couldn't comprehend the drastic shift—how he went from a nightmare to this tranquil wheat field. Was it a hallucination, or had he somehow stumbled upon a real enigma?

Confusion clouded his mind as he wandered through the field, struggling to remember why he had come here. The overwhelming scents surrounding him began to make him lightheaded, and he desperately yearned for clarity.

Feeling disoriented and overwhelmed, Max sought an escape from this enchanting but puzzling land. Following a separation in the field that might lead him out, his vision began to blur from the pollen, eventually encountering a cave. A flicker of hope ignited within him, urging him to explore, no matter where it might lead. Anything was better than being trapped in this bewildering paradise.

As he cautiously stepped forward, something beneath his foot was crushed. He recoiled in horror as broken pieces of bone lay beneath. Fear gripped him, and he became oblivious to the mysterious and imposing figure circling him in the dark cave. Sharp spikes and a spiraling tail loomed over him, and panic set in. He had no means to defend himself, and the lingering pollen intensified his discomfort.

In the dim light, the creature's sharp golden eyes glimmered maliciously. Max's mind raced, frantically searching for an escape plan. Regret surged within him, realizing that the lottery ticket he had risked his life for was a foolish pursuit.

This isn't worth it, he thought, as terror gripped his heart. The creature lunged, ready to deliver its fatal blow, Max found himself facing the consequences of his reckless choices, and the end seemed inevitable. In a desperate gasp, he wished he could turn back time and undo the terrible bet he had made.

But fate is merciless, and as darkness enveloped him, Max couldn't help but wonder if he had just gambled away more than just his life in that eerie alleyway.

Author notes:

Hey! Thank you for reading this short story, I would appreciate it if you could give me feedback on my writing and if you have any prompts for me to do next, I am in the editing stage of my next short story and will update soon! Here's a blurb of my next short story:

'The great and sky have been swallowed by a mysterious force of wind, but what happens when a malicious beast with sharp golden eyes interferes with its path.'

Now I know it's just one sentence but it is a short story. I hope you enjoy the Beyond the Dark series as much as I enjoy writing them!