"What do these tasks have to do with helping my mom?" Benji asked, staring at the note in his hands.
The wind made the bare branches of the trees sway, casting moving shadows around the park.
"Nothing," Raeph replied simply. "Except they're the requirements for you to fulfill the contract to gain your deepest desire."
Benji frowned, looking at the list again.
1. Skip school. Bring your backpack along to store the items you collect.
2. Get a blue dog plushie from the claw game at Manny's Arcade.
3. Buy a hot dog from the vendor in Main Street Park. Steal a bag of chips.
4. Go down the old metal tube slide at Tonka Park, on your back, head-first. Write down the words you see as you go down.
5. Steal a hymnal from St. Abernathy's Church.
6. Sing random songs from the hymnal as you walk down 8th St. Accept whatever people give you.
7. Sneak into Tito's Bar at night. Order a drink and keep the glass.
8. Go to the hospital and kiss your mother's cheek. Tell her everything is fine.
9. Find seven feathers.
Peering over his shoulder, Raeph frowned. "Skipping school? Stealing? These aren't good things, Benji." He muttered to himself, "And here I thought old Nick was finally turning over a new leaf when he agreed to help your mother... I guess devils can't change their horns."
Benji's hands tightened into fists, the list crumpling. "I have to do this. For Mom." He looked up at the frowning Raeph. "You'll help me, won't you?"
Raeph sighed, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Yes, Benji. I will accompany you on this journey. I may not approve of the means, but your heart is pure and your intentions are good. Just be wary of what other desires and impulses these tasks might inspire."
Benji nodded. He turned, adjusted his backpack, and walked through the browning grass. "Come on, then. Let's go to Manny's. Today's already started, and I only have until midnight to get this done."
YOU ARE READING
The Contract
FantasyBenji's only desire is for his mother to recover from the accident. When he meets a mysterious stranger in an alley who offers to grant his most fervent desire, can he trust this stranger's word? And when the cost of this deal is to complete a stran...
