The Talisman

[BattlesandDeaths]

   He was so vain.  This young man had it all. A chiseled physique, the hottest new car, a handsome face, all the money he will ever need.  The son of one of the wealthiest men in town.  He had his own pool, his own workout room, even his own personal trainer.  Like I said, this young man had it all. 

          He had completed high school a year ago.  Instead of going to college, (he didn't need it since his parents were loaded.) he spent his nights partying at the club or cruising the strip.  His parents were rarely home, so he had the mansion to himself.

           Besides his cruising, partying, working out and going to the beach, he had one obsession, fantasy role playing games.  That's right, especially D&D.  He would get a large group together and play a module or two almost every day.  He even paid professionals to come be the dungeon masters for the games.

           He loved the adventures, the stories, and most of all, the kills.  He even had a room decorated especially for the games.  He was that obsessed.

          One day as he was driving home from a late night clubbing, he met an old homeless lady sitting on the curb outside the club.  She asked him for some change.  Luckily, he had a small pocketful.  He handed it to her with a wink.

          She smilingly took it and placed a small talisman in his hand.  "This," she said, "will grant you one wish. "  

          The young man placed it in his pocket and walked away.  "What a crazy old coot," he thought.  

          Later that night, a few of his buddies finished off another D&D module.  Only one of his buddies characters survived the game.  His own character died early on with an imp's sword through his gut.  He still hung around to listen to the storyline and hear how each of his buddies either died or beat the game.  

          After they all went home, the young rich guy took a shower.  The hot steamy water washed away the sweat and grime of the day.  When he got out, he wrapped a towel around him and picked up his clothes.  The talisman fell out of the pocket onto the floor.

          He picked it up and jokingly decided to give it a try.  But, what to wish for?  He had everything he ever needed or wanted.  He held out the talisman, let out a chuckle and said, "I wish D&D was real for one night.

          He was surprised when the lights flickered out.  It scared him briefly, but knew it was just a coincidence that the lights went out.  He grabbed one of the bathroom candles and lit it.  He looked at himself in the mirror, shook his head and laughed.  "That was some great timing."

         "I agree," said a voice from the mirror.  There, in the reflection, the young man saw a demon in the mirror.  It was all too real.  His wish had come true.  But he knew the rules, demons couldn't come out of mirrors.  

          He pointed at the demon and laughed.  "Haha, you can't get me from there."  The demon stared at him grinning.  

          The young man felt something cold pressed against his abs.  He looked down on the counter and there stood an imp with it's blade against the young man's stomach.

          The demon in the mirror commanded the imp.  "Do it."

          The young man's eyes widened at the forcefulness of the command.  Before he could react, the imp rammed the sword straight into his upper abs.  He felt the blade slice easily through his body.  He looked down at the sword handle sticking out of his gut.  

        He lost this game as well...

[gyno9000]

Loved the story! Just the right length to appeal as you scroll down the paragraphs to find the young man having lost to the devil in the mirror. Very clever and imaginative!