The Fee by Benjamin Baker

The man in a dark suit smiled as a young man entered his office, “What can I do for you lad?” he said with glee.

The young man swallowed and spoke with shame, “I’m unemployed with more debt than I can ever possibly pay.”

The businessman grinned and laid out a small form, “I can give you employment and erase your debts, all I require is a small fee.”

The young man read the sheet. “My soul?”

“Yes, that’s my fee.”

The young man thought for a while and agreed, knowing his soul wouldn’t be required until his death. “It’s a deal.”

Signing the paper the man took the form and typed a few things on his computer, “Your debts are erased and I’ll provide you a job feeding my dogs.” He then set a small circular device on the desk.

“What’s that?” the youth asked.

“Why it’s how I’ll collect my fee.”

The young man screamed in horror as the device clicked open to form a small portal above it, sucking him inside.

The man giggled with glee as the boy’s soul was transmitted to hell.

He watched on his computer as the young man appeared in a pit of hellhounds.

Smiling, he said, “Now you shall feed my dogs.”

—
Benjamin Baker was born in Rexburg Idaho, but spent most of his years growing up in Cedar City, Utah and Panaca, Nevada. His writing ability stemmed from a vivid imagination in childhood, though at the time it mostly consisted of his passion for food. His career started with the publication of “Discarded Identities” in the literary magazine, Kolob Canyon Review. He has recently released a zombie themed novelette “Unworthy Sacrifice” with a follow up novel “Black Death: The Outbreak” to be released in December.

He currently resides in Cedar City, Utah with his wife Madeline. When he’s not attending classes at the local university he can usually be found at his computer, crafting a new story to entertain others. Visit him on the web at http://benbakerbooks.wix.com/home or click here to view his Facebook author page.

Image by VasenkaPhotography