The Deal

A key inserted into the lock. It turned, switching the deadbolt free. The front door pushed open without resistance. Nathan entered his grandfather's domicile quietly. The entryway was shrouded in darkness, which shrunk away as he flipped a switch. Light poured from the ceiling, lending a certain amount of stability, and sureness to his task. Closing, and relocking the door, Nathan made his way up the creaking staircase to the second floor. Every creak brought back memories of his grandfather Jeffrey, and how they used to play hide and seek when he was a kid.

Once at the top of the stairs, Nathan moved down to the end of the hall. Even with light coming through the windows, the house had a creepy sensation that he couldn't shake. His grandfather had passed away less than a week ago. He was found, slumped in his rocking chair. At least it was peaceful, or so Nathan hoped. The funeral, and rush to get all of his affairs in order was not. Quite the opposite in fact. Nathan's parents were eager to get through Jeffrey's assets, and move on with their lives.

It made sense, since they had put two children through college. His two older sisters had nearly graduated, while he was about to start his second semester. College may be the next building block in one's life, but it racked in quite the bill. His sisters were each forty thousand dollars in debt. Their parents wanted to help, and knew that grandfather's house, and his belongings just might fit the price tag.

Who was going to help Nathan with his tuition fees? His grades were good enough to land him in a prestigious school. Both parents encouraged him to enroll. With their reassurance, Nathan began a semester ago. He was doing well in classes, and happy. Unfortunately, the debt at the end of the year would total to twenty thousand dollars! It wasn't possible. The situation made sense in the moment, but he had no idea a school that was difficult to attain entry to, would be this expensive.

Nathan wondered why his parents had inspired him to enroll, when they couldn't even pay for his sister's tuition, let alone another child's. Perhaps their own lack of finances had encouraged them to speak up. He sighed, feeling around for a crack in the ceiling. His hand caught on something, and pulled. A ladder unfolded, leading to the attic. It just so happened that Nathan's 'task' was to get the attic sorted, so that his parents could have an appraiser look it over.

The light from his phone illuminated a series of white tendrils that covered the roofed ceiling. One of them stood apart from the others. A hesitant hand reached out, batting the cobwebs away to yank one of the threads. A pair of light bulbs illuminated the decrepit room, bringing it back to life. His grandfather may have hidden some secret treasures up here, but Nathan doubted it. The place was coated in a thick layer of dust.

A set of tracks led to a pile of boxes stacked haphazardly in the corner. *I wonder if that's where his secret stash is buried?* Nathan crept over to the boxes. They were worn with age, but some were dusted off. Compared to the rest of the room, it seemed recent. Did Grandfather Jeffrey want to see his treasure one last time? Perhaps, or perhaps there was some secret he didn't want the family to know about.

Eagerly, he tore open the nearest box. His phone illuminated cartridges, and a pair of pistols. *These must have been for home defense* Nathan figured. *But why were they up here, and not downstairs?* A glint caught his eye. His hand reached to clasp the cool metal, bringing it into the light. It was an Olympic medal! It looked to be bronze, but time wore away the color severely. He had no idea his grandfather had been an athlete. Let alone being a part of the world's most renowned competition! Beneath that, was another medal. It was silver. *Strange. He never even mentioned this.*

Neither did his parents for that matter. Nathan would have to solve that mystery when he returned home. The other notable effects below, contained a gathering of folders involving birth certificates, and paperwork of a similar nature. The box on the bottom held clothing that had gone out of style long ago. It seemed to be eighties themed. He cringed, and shoved the clothes back in, closing the box.

Leaning against the next stack of boxes was a brown leather bound suitcase. He hadn't noticed it before. Nathan picked up the relic, and opened it. There was strangely no dust on the outside.Within was a little black book. He set the book aside, planning to examine it later. No doubt it was a journal, or perhaps even grandfather Jeffrey’s diary. Either way, Nathan had always wanted a briefcase, like the classic working man. "Thanks Grandpa,” Nathan whispered. He hugged the briefcase, imagining how his friends at college would react.

A whisper broke the eerie silence. "Who disturbs my domain?"

Nathan ignored it, figuring his imagination was playing tricks on him. The ancient house creaked as the wind blew harshly against it.

"Nathan Lathanial Broadwalker! Don't ignore me!"

Nathan froze in fear. It wasn't his imagination at all. Besides that, the voice knew his name! When he eventually regained his composure, Nathan turned to where the voice seemed to emanate. Strangely, it had come from the little black book he had set aside earlier.

"Hello," he said timidly. "Who's there?"

"It's your Grandfather, and I do not appreciate you rummaging through my personal effects. Now get out!"

Nathan held his ground, more from shock, than real courage. "I can't-" he faltered, then began again. "My parents instructed me to look for anything of value in the attic. They plan on selling your house, because... You passed away, and they need the funds. How are you still here?" There was silence. *Am I beginning to lose it?* or *Have I lost my mind?*

"I made a deal, got my wish, and here I am." There was a hushed sigh. "I could tell you, but you wouldn’t understand."

As much as he wanted to refute that statement, Nathan relented, realizing that he didn't want to know what sort of forces held his grandfather's spirit in this world.

"I have a deal for you, Grandson. I offer you wealth, power, or time. Choose wisely."

"If this is a fair deal, then what must I give you in exchange?" Nathan couldn't believe that he was actually asking about this, let alone considering it.

The voice of his grandfather had said not a second ago, that a deal had landed him in his current situation. But Nathan had to know more.

"Your freedom to do as you please, but only for a day."

That wasn't so bad. Wealth could mean that his financial problems, and perhaps even his parents' would be solved. Time could mean being immortal, and Nathan had no desire to be as such. Power was a strange one. With how vague this 'deal' seemed, he thought it best to take the sure thing. He considered walking away, but remembered that he had no way to pay for school, nor did his parents. The last of his resistance fell away.

"Alright. Logically, the best answer is wealth. So, I choose wealth, and in exchange, my freedom for a day."

"Very well then. Place thine hand upon this book, and our contract will be sealed."

The word contract struck a warning bell in the back of his mind, but he reached out a hand to touch the book anyway. A jolt of energy ran up his arm, electrifying him. *What was-*

"There, now our contract is final. You cannot escape your fate, and as such, I shall divulge the whole truth."

The voice of his grandfather went on to explain that this deal was nothing short of fair. If he had chosen time, Nathan would've been stuck in the same moment forever, and always. And his freedom would never have been returned. If he had chosen power, Nathan would've had the might of the world under his whim, but such power would have driven him mad. The spirit of his grandfather said, "You would have destroyed the world, yourself included." He chose wealth. Nathan expected some horrible catch, but was pleased to know there wasn't one. At least not yet.

"Just don't spend it all in one place." A chilling laugh echoed in the room.

A beep from his phone drew Nathan away from the horrid situation he found himself in. It was an email, which at first glance seemed like spam. But upon closer inspection, Nathan discovered that his name had been drawn in a raffle lottery, and he had won!

*I don't recall doing this-* he glanced at the black book. *Ah, he was right. This is beyond my comprehension.*

When he accepted the winning email, it informed him he had won twenty thousand dollars. His eyes went wide in disbelief. Nathan gingerly linked up the email with his bank account, and was in awe when it grew exponentially. Right away, he transferred the funds to his college's financial department, so that they could deal with all of the necessary paperwork.

He smiled, knowing that for the rest of his college year, things would be paid for. This would give his parents a chance to help his sisters, and not have to worry about him as well. His relief was short lived, as a supernatural tug, yanked at his very being. An evil cackle pierced the air.

"You fool! A deal of wealth cannot be spent in one transaction. That makes you no longer wealthy! Therefore, our contract has concluded."

The wispy phantom of a man leapt from the book. Nathan felt chilled, as if the warmth of his very soul was being pulled towards the black book's open pages. Thinking quickly, Nathan hoped that the book itself would hold some escape for him. The page that was open was blank, but the one next to it was filled.

At the top a name was penned in crimson ink. Jeffrey Charles Broadwalker.

Deal - Wealth.

Freedom exchanged, fifty days.

Spent everything on a stock that failed. Never spend your money in one place Jeffrey.

Nathan gasped in shock. His grandfather had tried to warn him not to make the same mistake.

"Wait, I thought you said I would only have to forfeit a day of my freedom!"

The ghost of Jeffrey cackled. "A day if you are lucky my dear Grandson. But it would seem, luck was not on your side today.

Do not forsake luck however, for it may yet save you from your fate. Farewell foolish Nathan, and thank you." With that, the spirit faded as it rose to pass through the roof.

Nathan had a split second of clarity. Unwittingly, he had stumbled into the same trap as his grandfather. It all made sense. His grandfather had given up freedom to pass into the afterlife to make this deal. The deal maker grants the beneficiary something they desire. When it is gone, they take the deal maker's place. The dealer is set free, while the one who was fooled is trapped. It seemed rather poetic for how idiotic he felt.

His limbs felt numb, and the chill seeped into bone. Nathan collapsed to the floor, unable to feel anything. *This can't be happening. Do something... Think!* An idea came to mind, though it didn't seem likely to help. Regardless, Nathan fumbled for his phone. He forced his useless marshmallow fingers to mash the keys until a note was semi legible. 'Herlp. Blacfk boolk bno goo'. His hand went from numb to still, no longer obeying any commands. The phone fell from his grasp to the floor.

Nathan's vision went hazy. He tried to force his eyelids to stay open, but couldn't muster the strength. Everything went dark. He could still hear the sickeningly labored breathing of his body nearby. The breaths slowed, and then stopped after a time. This was torture. He was trapped, and unable to seek peace in the afterlife because of his grandfather! No, because of his own actions. Greed had blinded him to the fact this was a bad idea from the start. Hours dragged by, as he tried to figure a way out of his fate. A creaking drew his attention.

A voice called up to the attic warily, "Nathan? Are you still up there?"

Suddenly it dawned on him. One of his sisters had been sent to find him! The stairs to the attic squeaked, straining with effort.

"You better not scare me, or you're dead!"

Nathan would smile to himself if he could. His grandfather had been distant over the last year, which is why no one discovered his death right away. This left him trapped for much longer than he anticipated. Luckily for Nathan on the other hand, he wouldn't have to wait nearly as long.