The clock struck midnight, and the bell above the shop's door chimed, its sound echoing through the stillness of the shop. Simon's heart pounded as he watched the door slowly creak open, revealing the silhouette of a cloaked figure standing in the threshold. The fog outside swirled around them, giving the stranger an almost ethereal appearance.
The figure stepped inside, the door closing behind them with a soft click. They were tall, their face hidden beneath a dark hood, and they moved with a grace that made Simon uneasy. The shop seemed to respond to their presence—the lights flickered, and the air grew colder, the whispers becoming louder, more insistent.
Simon swallowed hard, trying to steady himself. He could feel the weight of the shop's expectations pressing down on him. The note had said not to refuse this visitor, and he knew that whatever happened next would be important.
"Keeper," the stranger said, their voice soft but commanding, echoing slightly as if two voices spoke in unison. They reached up, pulling back their hood to reveal a face that was pale, almost ghostly, with eyes that glowed faintly in the dim light. Their gaze was piercing, and Simon felt as though they were looking right through him, seeing everything he was—his fears, his doubts, his confusion.
"I've come to make a bargain," the stranger continued, their eyes never leaving Simon's. They held out a hand, and Simon saw something small resting in their palm—a ring, simple but unmistakably ancient, its surface etched with runes that seemed to pulse faintly with an inner light.
Simon hesitated, glancing at the ring and then back at the stranger. "What kind of bargain?" he asked, his voice betraying his uncertainty.
The stranger smiled, a slow, almost predatory smile. "This ring holds power, Keeper—power that many would seek, but few can wield. I offer it to you, in exchange for a promise."
Simon frowned, his eyes narrowing. "A promise? What kind of promise?"
The stranger stepped closer, their presence almost overwhelming. "The promise of a future favor, to be named at a time of my choosing. Nothing more, nothing less."
A chill ran down Simon's spine. He knew this kind of deal—a vague promise, with no clear terms, and no way of knowing what would be asked of him. It was dangerous, and everything inside him screamed to refuse. But the note had said not to refuse, and the shop itself seemed to be urging him forward, the whispers growing louder, more insistent.
Simon took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the stranger. "And if I refuse?"
The stranger's eyes darkened, their smile fading. "If you refuse, Keeper, then the shop will take its own price. You do not want to see what that looks like."
Simon felt a knot form in his stomach. He glanced at the ring, the runes glowing softly, almost calling to him. He didn't know what this power was, or why the shop wanted him to make this deal, but he knew he had no choice. Whatever the price, he would have to face it when the time came.
Slowly, Simon nodded. "Fine. I accept the bargain."
The stranger's smile returned, and they held out the ring, their eyes locking onto Simon's. "Take it, Keeper. And remember—every deal comes with a price."
Simon reached out, his fingers brushing against the cool metal of the ring. The moment he touched it, a surge of energy shot through him, a warmth that spread through his arm and into his chest. The runes glowed brightly, and for a brief moment, Simon saw something—a vision of a place he didn't recognize, a dark, desolate landscape, with shadows moving in the distance. And then it was gone, leaving him breathless.
He slipped the ring onto his finger, the metal fitting perfectly, as though it had been made for him. The stranger nodded, their eyes glinting with something that Simon couldn't quite read—satisfaction, or perhaps something more sinister.
"Until we meet again, Keeper," the stranger said, their voice fading as they pulled their hood back up. They turned, moving toward the door. The bell chimed softly as they stepped outside, the fog swallowing them once more.
Simon stood there, staring at the closed door, his heart still racing. He looked down at the ring, the runes now dim, almost dormant. He didn't know what he had just agreed to, or what the price would be, but he knew one thing—the shop had plans for him, and he was only just beginning to understand how deep those plans went.
He turned back to the counter, his eyes landing on the ledger. The page had changed again, the ink shifting to form a new entry. His name was there, along with the stranger's, and beneath it, a single word: **Owed**.
Simon took a shaky breath, his mind racing. He had made a bargain, and now there was a debt to be paid. He didn't know when or how, but the shop would collect. And until then, he would have to be ready for whatever came next.
The whispers in the air faded, leaving Simon alone in the dim light of the shop, the weight of his new responsibility pressing heavily on his shoulders. He had made his choice, and now there was no turning back.