The Letter
It was one of those moments in life when we come to appreciate everything good. We look back at our struggles and shake our heads in bafflement, because we have survived so many hard times and the constant challenges life has thrown at us.
Barry was all smiles that morning as he sat at his desk and read the letter that had been waiting for him. He couldn't believe he had been chosen. It wasn't easy reflecting on his past struggles and where he stood now. Barry was a man of thirty — honest, dedicated, and hardworking. He had great ideas but no means to implement them, and he had been searching for a sponsor until this company came along. He had stumbled upon them by chance and met the manager, who had been intrigued by Barry's ideas. The manager had forwarded everything to the CEO, who agreed to give Barry a probationary period of one year. If things turned around, he would be greatly rewarded.
He was average — not too fat and not too slim — with a perfect height of six feet and an immaculate beard he trimmed and maintained like his life depended on it. He had that smile that would make you confess your sins, but above all, he was a caring man with a lot of compassion. Back when he was broke and jobless, he used to ask the Maker to explain why good people suffer the most while bad people live the good life. A cold breeze from the air conditioner pulled him back to the present. He was still holding the letter, not believing his eyes. He scanned it again and mouthed the words.
---
Dear Mr. Barry,
I am pleased to inform you that, based on your probationary period of one year, the company has found your ideas and performance satisfactory. As per our agreement, we are pleased to make you our permanent staff in the position of Branch Manager. A house and a car have been provided as a bonus, along with increments in salary and basic allowance.
Sincerely,
Mr. Markson (CEO)
---
The Key
He grinned and looked around his office. It was spacious, with a big desk at the far end facing the door, a centre table, a mini couch, and even a refrigerator stocked with snacks and soft drinks. He smiled thinking about how his new office would look as a manager. He couldn't wait to call his girlfriend Pauline — the one he dared not joke with. His love for her was without competition. But before he could dial her number, there was a knock at his door. He froze for a moment before remembering who he was.
"Come in," he said, adjusting his tie and sitting upright.
A man in his mid-forties entered, and Barry frowned at the delivery uniform he was wearing.
"Good morning," the man said. "You must be Barry?"
"Sure," Barry said. "And you are?"
"Never mind," the man said, producing a form. "Sign here and here." He pointed at two lines. "Don't forget to put the time and date."
Barry signed the form and handed it back. The man studied it, then brought out another form to compare — only he knew what he was looking for. He nodded, satisfied, and produced a small package wrapped in golden paper.
"I thought delivery guys carry bags?" Barry asked, taking the box.
"We do," the man said in a bored voice. "This was a last-minute delivery. My shift ended and I was doing the manager a favour."
"I see. Thanks," Barry said, walking the man out.
He returned to his desk and opened the box, then let out a low whistle. Sitting comfortably between two soft pads was a car key — the latest model from Toyota. He couldn't hold back any longer. He dialled Pauline's number and she picked up on the first ring.
"Let me guess," Pauline said, with a grin he could practically hear through the phone. "You've hit it big."
He was stunned. He never understood how she did it — she always seemed to know things before they happened. She was the one who had told him he would be employed at this company. She was even the one who had helped him put together the proposal.
"How did you know?" he asked, grinning.
"Now you don't want me to give away my secret, eh?"
"No, don't worry. Stay the mystery you are. I love that."
"So where are you taking me for the celebration?" she asked.
"I was just getting to that," he said. "I'm coming to pick you up."
"Perfect. I'm at home," she said, and hung up.
---
The Drive
He wasted no time rushing to the parking lot. He pressed the key button and watched the car's side lights flash. With a grin he hurried over, marvelling at the sleek body. He opened the door, slid in, and let out a moan of delight — the seats were pure leather. He started the engine and pulled out. He turned on the radio and Enrique Iglesias' *Hero* was playing. He loved the song and sang along. He couldn't feel a single bump. The drive was impossibly smooth.
After about an hour he reached Pauline's house. He refused to get out of the car, calling her to meet him at the gate instead. He sat behind the wheel watching it, not taking his eyes off it. When she appeared, looking around and not spotting him, he honked the horn. She walked slowly toward him and he wound down the window.
"Hmmm," she said, running her hand along the body of the car.
"You never saw this coming," he said, grinning.
"No," she said with a knowing smile.
"Hop in. Let me take you somewhere special."
She got in and he pulled off. She noticed he was heading out of town and onto the federal road but said nothing, letting him enjoy his new toy.
---
The Checkpoint
After two hours they arrived at a checkpoint. Traffic had backed up and the line was moving slowly. He cursed silently but held his tongue. When it was their turn, the officer asked only one thing.
"Show me your licence."
Barry froze. He had forgotten he had none.
"I'm sorry, officer. I don't have it with me."
"Have you even registered for one?" the officer asked.
"No," he said, glancing at Pauline, not wanting to embarrass her further.
"In that case, follow the line on your right. An officer will attend to you."
Barry looked where the officer was pointing and saw a short line heading toward the eastern side of the road. He followed as they were led by an officer.
"This is bad," he muttered, glancing at Pauline.
"Oh, don't be such a cry baby. It's not as bad as you think."
"This is against the law. How could I have been so stupid?"
"Don't blame yourself. You were too excited."
"That's not an excuse. I should have known."
They fell silent after that until they reached an office. Barry and Pauline were taken to see the officer in charge. When they entered, the officer looked at Barry and muttered, "Here we go again."
"I'm sorry, officer," Barry said as they sat down. "I made a mistake. Please, how can I resolve this without too much trouble?"
The officer blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I'm trying to appreciate my girlfriend. Please don't make a case out of it."
"What girlfriend?" the officer asked.
Barry turned to look at Pauline — and his stomach dropped. She was not there.
"She was sitting right here," he said, looking around.
"Are you sure?" the officer asked.
"Yes," he said.
"Then you have been summoned."
---
The Darkness
Barry watched as the room darkened. He couldn't see even his own hand in front of him. A grating noise filled the air and he leapt from his seat. He felt a cold hand on his throat, then a sharp sting. He touched his neck and his hand came away sticky with the metallic smell of blood. His heart hammered in his chest. He couldn't shout. Another sting hit his leg. He tried to scream but something entered his mouth and wrenched out two of his teeth with such force that he didn't notice until cold air hit his open gums.
He was on the verge of passing out when he spotted a faint prick of light at the far corner of the room. He stumbled toward it, groping along the wall. When he reached it, he found a door. Finally, he thought — it had to be the way out. He pushed it open and saw an old woman and an old man sitting on a mat, their backs to him.
"Come inside," the old woman said without turning around.
He had no choice — it was either them or back to the darkness. He pushed his way toward her, and when she turned to look at him, he screamed — but no sound came out. The woman had the face of a raven.
"Why did you wear white?" she asked.
He stood there stunned, not comprehending her words.
"Answer her — now!" The man's voice slammed into him like a physical blow. He wheezed and fell to his knees. He looked at the man and saw he had the face of Pauline.
"This must be a dream," Barry said, slapping his own cheek.
"You have been using our power," the man said. "You must pay."
"Why do you wear white?" the woman asked again.
"What power?" Barry asked — and then a blast of hot air slammed into him, burning his stomach and leaving a scorch mark. He wheezed, tasting blood. His tongue found the two missing teeth and then he collapsed, unconscious.
---
The Bane
"He must pay," the man said, looking down at the young man on the floor.
"He will pay," the woman said. "Our power is not a gift."
"What shall we seek from him?" the man asked.
"We will ask him for three things."
"Which are?"
"We will ask him for his eyes, his hands, and his voice. He must surrender one for twenty years — or he will be our slave for eternity."
The man — known as The Bane — chuckled. He was not human and never had been. He had consumed so much flesh over the centuries that he could take the shape of a man. He had long awaited the day he would enter the mortal world and have his fill. The woman with the face of the raven was his sister — a raven herself, an enormous one. She had not consumed flesh the way he had and could not fully transform her body.
The Bane chuckled again, relishing his sister's cruelty, savouring the thought of a mortal begging for mercy that would never come.
"Yes," he said, as they watched the unconscious young man like hunters waiting for their prey to stir. "I agree."
When he wakes up, he will lose far more than he bargained for.
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