The leather bound book

It started out as any other day during quarantine, a slow boring day that seemed like the many days before this one. While sitting at my desk scrolling through my various social media feeds I heard a knock at my door.

I answered the door, but no one was there. I poked my head outside and saw a small package wrapped in shabby looking brown paper tied off with rough heavy twine. I picked it up to see where it came from, as I was not expecting any packages. Scrawled across the face of the package in black ink was a note that read, to anyone who feels they are owed something.

I brought the package inside and carefully opened the package. Inside was a very old looking leather bound notebook. I opened the front cover, and written inside was a note. To whoever this notebook finds its way to, have you fallen on hard times? What if I told you that just by picking a person and writing a number would transfer that amount directly into your bank account? Hard to believe I know, but what do you have to lose? The only rule is to not draw suspicion to yourself, pick people you have no affiliation with. Once you are satisfied, please give this to someone who do not know. Best Wishes: XIII

Reading this, it seemed like a hoax. But like the note read, what did I have to loose?

I opened up my computer and googled a random name generator. After a few seconds a name popped up, Peter McGaw. I opened up the book and wrote the name with the sum of $50. I waited a few minutes and opened up my bank account app. $131.23 available balance, exactly as it was this morning. I closed the book and chuckled to myself, nothing like this could happen. Then I got a notification. $50 has been added to your account.

I opened my account and their it was, $181.23. But how? This can not be real..

After a few minutes of pondering, I figured well lets see what happens if I try it again. This time I will try for a little more, but I will make up a name. I wrote down John Johnson, $200 and closed the book. This time as soon as I closed the cover I got the notification. $200 has been added to your account. What is happening, how can this be real? Now I start thinking, am I stealing from these people? What if they are in the same situation I am in, jobless and barely making it by on unemployment.. did I overdraft these people..

I try to erase the names to no avail, the ink is set like a deep bloodstain on the faded brown pages. I try to rip the pages out but they do not tear.

My chest starts feeling tight and I start coughing, so I take a drink of water. Well, if I can not reverse this, I might as well get some money from someone who makes a lot of money and it will not hurt them at all.

After a little bit of research, I write down the name Elon Musk $5000. Once again as soon as I close the cover I get the notification, $5000 has been added to your account.

I stare at my phone dumbfounded, I have never seen this much money in my account before! I get light headed and my vision starts going dark. I catch myself before I pass out. I start coughing violently and cover my mouth with my hands. I look down and there is blood on my hands. Is this because of the book? Could it be hurting me as an exchange?

I take the book and put it in a drawer. With the money the book gave me I should be good for awhile, I should do as the note says and pass it on tomorrow. A few hours pass and I keep looking over at the drawer. I am feeling much better, maybe it will be ok to do it one more time before I pass it on.

This time I know I need to make it count and know exactly who is going to be written down. My former boss who stiffed me on my severance package last year. I go and grab the book from the drawer. I set it down in front of me and open the front cover. The previous names written look even darker, like dried blood.

I grab the pen and write, Alexander Dunn $20,000...

I wake up a few hours later, I must have passed out. I am laying on the floor with a gash on my head. I slowly sit up and I am covered in blood. I make my way to the bathroom to clean myself up. I look in the mirror and am horrified by what I see looking back at me. I see an old man staring back at me. This cant be real? I am 25, but the face looking back at me is grey and wrinkled.

I head back to where I left the book and quickly skip through the pages. On the back page there is a new note that was not there before.

To whoever this notebook finds its way to, I hope that this does not come as a surprise, but everything comes with a price. Hopefully what you gained will suffice. Use the money you acquired to start a new life, never speak of this to anyone. The last order of business is to pass the book on to someone you do not know. Best Wishes: XIII

I lost many years off of my life, but I finally moved some place I wanted to live for most of my life, Palm Beach Florida, and I know exactly who this book will be delivered to....