The Bargain

I’ve been chasing you for so long. My heavy footsteps cast destruction to the earth. The air holds in a breath as my lethal cancer poisons the land. Black energy courses through my veins as I approach the sunflower field. The moonlight casts a milky white hue. The sunflowers try to run far away from my lethal touch, alas, they are bound to the hollow earth. 

My fingertips graze the sickening yellow of the petals. They fester and rot, leaving crippled brown excess scattered about the floor. Plants crunch loudly, screaming for relief. They crouch inwards, crunching one last time. Flies buzz angrily in my ear as they witness the massacre. The graveyard of sunflowers, no longer stretching for the warmth of the sun. I swat the dreadful creatures away, the buzzing faded into oblivion.

Up ahead, on a short hill, was the house. Peeling red paint decorated the exterior, the house sagged, as if carrying a burden. Moonlight shone on this sad house, bathing it in bony white light. All the windows were shut tight, refusing to be exposed by light. I let my black cloak drag as I hiked up the hill.

Clumps of grass darkened within the cruelty of my gaze. Moths dropped dead before they reached the warmth of the lantern hanging by the door.

I knocked once. Twice. My shadow lengthened over the door. The door opened a crack. Bolts and chains jangled as nervous hands removed them one by one. A frail voice hung in the wind,

“Who could it be at this time at night?”

My eye, stained to resemble the color of blood, peeked through the crack. Moonlight bathed me in light as if curious about the events about to unfold. My teeth curled up in a smile. Two pointed teeth snarled. The man’s face turned ghastly white. As white as the moonlight warming my back. Lines of age creased his face like cardboard. My voice boomed in the silence of the night,

“You know who I have come for.”

A deadly threat, laced with poison. The man opened the door another inch.

I darkened his doorstep as I waited for the bargain to be fulfilled. For my business to be completed.

A girl, six or seven years old, poked her head out of a closet. Her sunflower yellow hair glowed in the moonlight. I stretched a long bony finger at her. Shadows and darkness swiveled and wrapped around her goodness, squeezing her innocence tight in its deadly grip.

Her father crumpled to pieces on the hardwood floor,

“Please, I'm begging you! I’ll give you anything! I have money and precious jewels in the safe! I swear!”

His sobbs thundered through the quiet cottage. I took the sunshine girl in my arms. I carefully held her life force. Her goodness pulsed in my grip. I turned to leave and stared at the moon. The man’s begging continued,

“Take me instead! Please! Not my little girl!”

I floated her goodness towards the light, keeping it safe. I floated up beside her.