The Nameless One

The Stranger

No one POV

"Hahaha, that was funnnnn!" shrieked a young pink haired girl as a group of young drunkards stumbled out of a club. It was dead in the middle of a cold cold night. The only sound is a mumbled thumping from the club they just left.

"Oh myyyyyyy, look at that cute door with the p-pi ermmm, pink pink pinkkkkk light. Can weeeee? Please?" slurred drunkenly by one of the youngsters. 

"I don't know guys, it's in a bit weird to have a*****e open so late at night? It's freaking me out a bit, maybe we should leave?" said one of the half sobered girl.

"Come on Cassie, don't be such a pooper, it'll be funnnnnnnnn" said the first drunk girl from before.

As they walked closer to the bright red door with, it seemed to glowed a bit differently, it looks the same but different at the same time. The air suddenly seemed to become colder, even without a wind passing by. The group took no notice and drunkenly stumbled towards the weird shop.  Just when they were about to knock on it, a large rat hissed and ran past their feet. "YIKKKKE", they all shrieked out loud. 

"It's freaking me out a lot guys, maybe that rat was a sign that we should leave? What does this store even sell? What if it's a drug carter hideout or a murder house?" said Cassie.

"It'll be -hic- fine", another friend stutter slowly. "There's -hic- 5 of us here, we'll -hic- be okay".

Before they could debate any further, the door creaked open, soft yellow light seeped out of the door gap. As compared to the cold air where they stood, it seemed much warmer and inviting inside. They took no time wasting and hurried in to the mysterious place. After scurrying in quickly to avoid  the cold, they were shocked to see such a quaint store. With a round table in the middle of the room, surrounded by cupboards and shelves around, it seemed they were transported into an historical place, an antique shop. As the group was slowly admiring the quaint place, there was a loud bang behind them. The door suddenly slammed shut. Everyone quickly turned around shocked by the loud sound.

"Sorry, it was too cold, I just wanted to close the door, didn't mean to scare you guys" laughed one of the guys. As the rest of the group started jeering and making nonsensical comments about the unintended prank, Cassie just rolled her eyes. She was the only remaining person semi sober enough to understand that this place was extraordinary. The only thought that ran through Cassie's half cleared mind was how contradicting this place is. It seemed old but new at the same time, it was very neat yet seemed to be jam packed full of things. the perfect words to describe this place was organised chaos. It is definitely a hoarders' paradise.  There was the most random things in the store. A cupboard full of small glass vials with different colours, beautiful porcelain vases, different kinds of dried flowers hanging about another doorway. A shelf full of old books that looks very valuable and worn out all the same. 

"Woahhhh, this is so cool! Like one of those old timey places that ermmmm witches stayed in" said pink hair girl. "Hellooooo", she scream, "is anyone hereeeee?"

"I can hear you just fine dearie, don't need to shout" a small voice said from the dried flower doorway. "I'll be right with you all, I'm almost done brewing the tea". 

"Dude, we don't need tea, got any more alcohol we can drink?" said one of the guys. As the group dispersed to look around the store, the pink haired girl smacked the guy on the arm. "Don't be rude! Respect your elders! Granny is nice enough to make us tea, don't be an ass". 

"Huhhhh? Granny?! The hell you talking about Jades! It was a dude's voice" said another friend.

"You locooooo! It was a sweet grandmother's voice, are you deaf?" Jade fought back. 

Cassie turned around, intrigued by the trio arguing about the host's voice. "I heard a lovely young girl's voice" Cassie whispered, "what's going on you guys? Are we that drunk?" 

Just as they were about to discuss further, a small laughter entered the room, "You do not have to argue over my voice and my appearance, it's different for all of you, take no mind to it. Come come, sit, have some tea and warm yourselves up".

All five of them stared at the mysterious person in a daze. It was almost as if a light popped in a dark room and their visions became slightly clearer. The five of them suddenly became a bit sober and slightly clear minded. 

The sight in front of them was so ordinary yet something so magical, there was a soft glow shrouding the stranger. But in a blink of an eye, it was just as normal as normal can be. Nothing special or magical any more, yet... there was something nagging at the back of the youths' heads. 

"What do you guys see?" whispered Jade, "cos, right now, I'm looking at my Grandmother". Jade took a small step forward towards her grandmother and wanted to hug her, but she stopped and shakes her head. "No way, it's not real, you're not real. Gran gran died last week, it's impossible" Jade said with tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "Who are you?!" Jade raised her voice.

At the background, the group was whispering about who or what they see. "I see Jade's grandmother too" said one of them.

"I see a really young kid", "No bro, I see a hot dude, mad respect!" the two guys in the group discussed amongst themselves. 

"I see a really pretty girl" said Cassie "she looks like an angel".

The stranger gave a slight chuckle, as if it's all normal to zir. "I go by many names, some call me a witch, some call me the devil. Angel, saint, warlock and such, it's all but a label, it matters not. I currently prefer the term life's merchant. It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Come, have a sit, have some tea. The night is just starting".

The group slowly gathered around the round table in the middle of the room and take a seat one by one. Slowly sobering up, they were starting to understand, something special about this stranger, something special about this room. They felt calm and trusting. There was this aura and sense of comfort all around that eased all their doubts away. They were still sceptical and have their guard up, but somehow, they are slowly easing into environment.

"So, are you like a witch or something?" asked Tim, the accidental prankster who slammed the door before. "what do you mean before, that all of us see different versions of you? how is that possible?" 

"YA! HOW IS IT POSSIBLE YOU LOOK LIKE MY GRAN GRAN!" Jade said, pushing her chair back, and standing closer to the merchant. "This is freaky! I'm supposed to be scared or freaked out, but I'm not! I'm just just... confused and freaked out!"

The stranger laughed out heartily, "so you're freaked out but not freaked out? which is it?". The Stranger shook zir head, and gazed far away. "It's a long long story that is of no importance right now. Tell me young ones, what are you after? Do you wish to seek fortune, fame, immortality? Do you wish to know your future? Do you wish to change your fate?".

There was a momentary peace of silence as the questions gets processed into everyone's mind, what does it mean? Slowly, the group started to glance at each other, all of them have a puzzled look upon their face. 

"What to do you mean by that?" Cassie asked warily. 

"Anything you want, in this world, in this life or the next, anything at all, I can procure them all for you. With a price, of course. Nothing in this world is free after all" said the stranger as zie slowly sips on zir tea. A small sly smile creeping up on zir face, as zie carefully observe the group of youth.

" How much do you charge for your services? $100? $500?" asked Jade hopefully as if she already has something on her mind she wants.

The stranger looked Jade straight in the eye, with a amused look. "No dearie, that isn't how it works. Hmmm, let's just say it's a simple exchange, trading something of a similar value. An equivalent exchange if you will. First, you have to request, and then I'll have to judge and tell you what's the price to be".

"Like what? What have people traded and gained in return?" Jade probe even more.

 "Hmmmm..." the stranger crinkle zir eyebrow, and scratch a finger under zir chin. "So many clients, so many stories, where to begin" as the stranger searched deeper into zir memories, the other girl suddenly asked, "How about beauty?" 

"Typical Maddie, always wanna be the hot one" laughed Tim.

Maddie shot him a death glare, quickly shutting Tim up. "Can you make me the most beautiful and liked person in the world. And no surgeries! I don't like needles. Oh! Of course, this includes being beautiful even when I'm old. I don't wanna be an old wrinkly and dried up old hag. No offence to you. Although, you look quite normal to me, but Jade and Ger said you're an old hag" Maddie blurted out. 

"Ohhhh, a classic case of beauty above all else. Very common request actually" said the merchant. 

There was a glimpse of joy in Maddie's eye, as she ecstatically leaned forward and probe more about becoming more beautiful. "If it's a common request, it must be a cheap price. Sign me up for it" Maddie said excitedly. 

"Hahaha" the merchant laughed heartily, "are you sure you do not want to hear the price of beauty first?". 

Maddie frowned a little, what was so difficult and so expensive that the stranger has to ask it like that. Maddie's ego was slightly bruised, she thought the stranger was looking down on her. As if she couldn't afford things. "Just tell me already" snapped Maddie.

"My, my. What impatience. Such typical of you young girls seeking beauty. One and the same. I'll bet you're gonna reject my offer in the end after hearing my price" sighed the merchant.

Just before Maddie could open her mouth and debate further, "Your eyes, my dear. Well, your sight to be precise. We'll still want the pretty eyes of yours to stay within you for aesthetic purposes don't we?" the merchant replied. 

Although the stranger said it in a neutral manner, it was almost as if it was a sharp knife was suddenly pressed against her throat. Maddie lost her voice and her thoughts as she stared shockingly. The whole group fell into a cold silence. With goosebumps slowly creeping up on all of them, a dark thought came across their mind. Have they stumbled onto a devil's den? Is this the Satan's lair? Will be they be able to leave unharmed? 

As though their thoughts were spoken out loud, the stranger gave out another laugh. "It's your choice, to make a deal, to ask and exchange. I would never force anything upon any of you. You are free to leave as of this moment. But I really wish the lot of you to stay for tea. A bad storm is here, take shelter for now" the stranger said nonchalantly whilst sipping zir tea. 

"Nah, mate, that's impossible, I've checked the weather forecast before we left for the club. It's all clear weather's till next freakin' week. See, I'll even search it right now" said Gerald, the person who has remained neutrally silent up till now.

"That's weird, I can't seem to get a signal up in here. How about you guys?" 

Everyone started to check their phones, but it's not having any connection to the Internet or even a call signal bar. Oddly, even their watches have stopped working. 

With more goosebumps creeping up on them, they all looked at each other and stand up in unison. "Erm, thank you for the tea, ermmm, Miss stranger, or sir stranger if you prefer. We'll just get going now"  Jade said, as the group slowly make their way to the door. 

As scared as they were on staying, they had a bigger fear. 'What if we can't leave, what if the door is locked? What if we are cursed as we leave'. There was no way to confirm their doubts and fear, except to try and leave in that instant. 

As they quickly hustled towards the door, the stranger disappeared for a brief moment. "Now is the chance, let's get away" Cassie whispered loudly for the group to hear. As everyone nod quickly and made their way to the red door, they heard  footsteps getting closer to their group. Gerald being the one closest to the door, quickly reach out to the door knob. As he was about to twist it, the stranger said, "take this name card of mine will you children? I request nothing of you but to take this small card. Please, think of it as a way for me to promote my shop, please". 

As Gerald opened the door, and they were about to leave, they somehow couldn't ignore the humble plea from the stranger. Somehow it was as if they were enchanted, 'It's just a name card right? Surely it wouldn't be cursed or anything, if worse come to worse, they can just throw it away once they leave' they all thought. They all silently accepted the name card and left the place in hurry. 

"Phew, that was scary" said Jade once they all left the place and closed the door. At least they were free to leave that creepy place, they all thought on unison. 

"I told you guys, we shouldn't even go in" preached Cassie. "Look at this place, it's such a creepy vibe..." Cassie couldn't finish her sentence as she turned and point to where the place where they left, it is now just an empty wall. No traces of a red door, pink neon signs, nothing. As if what has happened was just a mere illusion.

"What the... Guys let's just get out of here! Please!" Cassie almost cried out. For the first time, they all quickly agree and walked away. Oddly, when they were back into the bright city lights in the dark cold night. They seem at peace again. 

"See, the weather is clear, moon is shining brightly. And look, my phone is working again. Ha! Clear weather for the next week to come! I call bullshit on whatever that was" said Tim. 

As the group calmed down, and slowly walked towards the city centre joking and laughing at their strange encounter, a flash of lighting past behind them. Unbeknown to the joyful youngsters, dark clouds with heavy claps of thunder was slowly creeping up around the outskirt of the city. To anyone else looking at the approaching thunderstorm, it was definitely an ominous sign to come. Upon reaching the city centre, the group bade each other good night, and disbanded. They have slowly forgotten about the event that has just occurred, they have forgotten about the name card in their pockets.