The Blood Contract

"That's right I'll buy your soul for 50 dollars," Jim said smiling as five homeless men gathered around him for crack money.

"What do I have to do for fifty dollars?" asked a sixth homeless man coming to join the fray.

“I just need a drop of your blood on this contract and I'll give you the fifty bucks.”

To each of the homeless men this seemed like easy money and they gave their droplets, no questions asked. Three hundred dollars later, Jim had the contracts and was headed back to the corner on which the masked man sat.

Upon Jim's approach, the man who was facing the other way to look at a poster quickly turned to face him in a jolt like motion. "Welcome back Jim. I see that you didn't run away with the money I gave you," the masked man said.

"Indeed, I did as you asked purely out of curiosity," Jim said eyeing the masked man.

There had been rumors of a magic man in the streets that made up the underbelly of Detroit. The rumor was that he could grant wishes if you did his bidding.

"Well Jim, what did you want for your service, money, or would you prefer something that would make even a billionaire jealous?" the masked man said emphasizing the world jealous in a slow raspy voice.

"You have my curiosity piqued," Jim said.

"Well then, take this contract home with you and when you wake up you'll have a surprise," the man said and handed Joe back one of the contracts. Jim looked at the man unable to tell if he was bat-shit crazy or if he really believes the shit, he is piping.

Jim nodded and headed back toward his apartment with a twinge of disappointment.

There was nothing to say, magical contracts; the man was clearly a fraud.

"You doubt me, but not for long," the masked man said. Jim could hear the glee in his voice. Even with the mask on, it was easy to tell the man was smiling.

"I do," Jim said.

"Well, have you ever heard the term, put your money where your mouth is?" the man asked.

"I have," Jim, said now remembering how the man put up three hundred dollars to get that paper.

"Ok, well seek me out when you want more," the man said stepping away from the wall into the street. Jim went to say goodbye but a 16 wheeler was headed right for the crazy man. "Lookout!" Jim yelled as he ran towards the man trying to save him.

The truck whooshed by and the man had apparently been caught or dragged. The strange part was, not a single drop of blood was to be found. Jim pulled out his phone.

"Hello, this is 911, what's your emergency?" asked the dispatcher.

“I just saw a man get hit by a semi-truck, on Old Woodward. I think he is being dragged under the truck. I can't find any trace of him.”

"Where approximately on Woodward are you?"

"Near Elm Street," he replied.

At that moment, his contract's blood started glowing. It was a dark red, but now it was a glowing plasma color.

Jim dropped it and literally fell over when it fell to the floor.

The contract fell down right next to the phone as Jim fell on his butt. The magnitude of the brightness of the contract amplified as the moments passed. Its dull light turned into a brilliant inferno of radiance and then the contract emitted the most horrible sound. It sounded at first like metal grinding on metal then, as time passed it turned into a more human gut-wrenching scream.

The noise was beginning to draw attention Jim had to get off the street. Jim grabbed his cellphone and made a dash for a nearby alleyway as the scream continued at the same pitch.

It must be getting louder Jim thought as he continued to run.

There was a dark red light coming from behind him when he realized that the contract was following him, flying by itself through the air. As soon as he turned around, he stopped, gawking in amazement at the horrid sight of the now burning piece of bloody paper following him.

It seized the moment of gawking to latch itself onto Jim's right wrist. Jim screamed in agony as the burning paper welded itself into his flesh and became a giant letter resembling an e. While it took its shape; Jim writhed on the ground in agony. The hot paper had turned into a metallic substance and seared itself into his flesh.

After ten minutes passed, the police were checking out the corner from which he came investigating the scream. Jim himself was just able to stand. The e shaped symbol was hot against his flesh.

The police started down the alleyway towards Jim.

Jim walked up to them.

"That's a hell of a tattoo, you've got there!" the officer said.

"Thanks," Jim said, he had never been one for tattoos. He was trying to feign it being a tattoo to avoid telling the officers it was a demonic curse mark or whatever it was.

"Did you know anything about a scream?" asked the police officer.

"No,"

"We received a call about a scream, a madman running who fits your description and another call about a man hit by a truck,"

Jim looked around desperately trying to think of something to say.

"I called you about the guy hit by the car," Jim said.

The officers tone changed, "You know it's illegal to prank call the police?"

"I do, but" Jim began, suddenly interrupted by the officer.

"There were screams reported and I want to know what exactly is going on, you'll tell me or find yourself in the back of my squad car," the officer said.

Jim was sweating; he didn't know what to say when his arm started burning. His arm lifted itself up and pointed itself toward the squad car. The car began to shake violently and the police officer turned around and stared at it saying, "What the hell?" in surprise.

The car began to shake even more violently and the tires all popped then the glass shattered. Shards of glass flew everywhere.

The officer said "get down!" tackling Jim to the ground as the squad car that was apparently on fire, exploded sending metal shrapnel everywhere.

"Some weird shit is going on here," the officer said reaching for his radio to call for backup when a giant claw reached from out of the fire, snatched the officer, and pulled him into the fire. The officer screamed as his flesh began to cook.

Jim sat in horror as the even unfolded into a nightmare.

"It needs fire to be summoned," a voice said behind him.

It was the masked man. His demon mask might have held a bit of truth to it.

"Did you want to earn another power?" asked the masked man.

Jim fell to his knees. He never could have imagined anything so strange, so horrifying, so wonderful.

"How could I refuse," Jim said.