The Dealer

Andrew woke to the familiar sound of the rooster screaming that the sun was awake and so the world must wake too. Being a rancher for nearly 50 years, Andrew was used to waking up early and setting to work. He pulled back the cover and was instantly hit by the chilly morning air. He quietly got himself ready for the day careful not to disturb his sleeping wife.

The start of his day consisted of feeding animals and letting the cattle into a fresh field all before any breakfast. Andrew finished up with the cattle and walked back towards the house. On his way back he saw his daughter, Sophia, making her way towards the chicken coop with Bess the house sheepdog and a bucket of feed.

Andrew had made the area around the house more accessible for Sophia after she became ill and needed a wheelchair to move around. The village had pitched in to raise the funds and helped to make the space easier for Sophia to use.

Sophia had taken everything in her stride which always amazed Andrew, he knew if he were in the same situation he would not be able to stay positive about life.

“Eggs, dear?” His wife called as he entered the house.

“Sounds good.”

The family of three (plus Bess) sat down to the table to eat breakfast together, a rare occasion in the Williamson household.

“Do we really have to sell the horse, Papa? I was just getting used to riding him again.” Sophia said looking upset.

It pained Andrew to see his daughter unhappy but the sale of the horse was important.

“Maybe we can buy another horse in a year or two?” His wife suggested.

That was enough to satisfy Sophia and create a spark of hope in her.

Andrew had made a deal with a neighbour to sell his horse for breeding purposes in exchange for a small tractor, something he desperately needed right now. He was taking the horse to the Farmers Market today.

“We had better get going?” his wife said clearing away the breakfast.

Sophia squealed with delight. The farmers market had a new section that sold artisan style foods and gifts that Sophia loved to look at.

The Farmers Market was crowded as usual, Sophia struggled to get through and found she could not see what the stalls were selling until she got close. Her mother followed her closely pointing out new things for them to look at.

Andrew went off to sell the horse and agree a date for the arrival of the tractor. The ladies walked around the smaller stalls that sold handmade gifts and food.

On his return to his wife and daughter Andrew came to a stop in front of a peculiar looking tent with a small plaque that read ‘The Dealer. Available by appointment’. Andrew found it strange that he had never come across this tent before in all his years of visiting the farmers market. The tent was a dark red colour and had a spiral pattern woven into the fabric; Andrew found himself staring at it completely mesmerised.

“You are seeking something?” A voice said behind him, making him jump.

“Yes.” Andrew said.

“Something for your child?” the voice asked.

Andrew was unable to stop himself from speaking. “She can’t walk. I’ve just sold my horse but she was learning to use him as her legs.”

“I see. Would a unicorn be as useful?”

Andrew nodded in response, he had never seen a unicorn up close, they were afraid of humans, more so than horses and lived in places uninhabitable to humans. Andrew tried to look around for his wife and daughter knowing they would be in this part of the market by now but his vision clouded when he turned away from the Dealer.

“Are you willing to pay the price for such an animal?”

“Surely my daughter has already paid a price by losing her legs.”

“I did not take your daughter's ability to walk” the dealer spat.

Andrew took a step back wary of the dealer and their quick temper. He ran his eyes over the Dealer, who was simply clothed and had no remarkable features. He knew he couldn’t trust the dealer, but he also knew how much it would mean to Sophia. She would have a happier and more fulfilled life being able to travel unaided.

“What is your price?” Andrew asked reluctantly.

“Don’t you want to see it first?” The dealer took Andrew under his arm and lead him into the tent.

Andrew looked around the inside of the tent bewildered at the size of it. He was forcefully navigated towards the rear of the tent and made to stop in front of a makeshift door.

The Dealer let go of Andrew’s neck and entered the room beyond the door.

Andrew glanced behind him; he felt the coldness of fear trace his spine. He followed after the Dealer, coming to the conclusion that he hadn't made a deal yet.

This room was darker than the previous. The sides of the tent flapped furiously as if a storm had just settled on the place. In the centre of the room stood a dark creature that was taller than any living creature Andrew had seen. It jolted restlessly with the noise of the tent. The Dealer walked over to it and calmed it easily.

“What do you think Mr Williamson? Would your daughter appreciate such a fine beast to be her legs?”

Andrew stepped closer to the unicorn forgetting he hadn’t mentioned his last name. The unicorn stood still eyeing Andrew. Its coat and mane were the colour of coal and the horn on its head pointed straight.

The Dealer backed up and watched as Andrew drew closer to the Unicorn.

“What is the price?” Andrew asked again.

“Are you willing to pay it?”

“Yes” Andrew said before thinking it through.

“You will witness your daughter’s death”

Andrew turned and looked the dealer in the eye; he was horrified by what he had agreed to. The Dealer smiled and snapped his fingers making the world disappear.

Andrew woke up on the ground where the tent had just been. His head spun and he slowly remembered the deal he had just made. He stood up trembling.

The Dealer hadn’t been specific but Andrew felt sick to his stomach, he would see his daughter die. He had come close once before when Sophia was sick. Andrew and his wife had spent hours in the hospital with their daughter. She had been too weak to open her eyes. He had been certain she was going to die so many times over. He had told her it was okay to stop fighting, that it was okay to die. Now he wanted nothing more than for his daughter to live.

“Papa! Papa come and see what we’ve found.” Sophia shouted towards her father.

Andrew looked around startled. Sophia wheeled herself towards him with a big grin on her face. He regained some composure and met his daughter with a smile. He couldn’t know when or how Sophia would die, or even if he would witness it himself. Andrew decided to think about his daughter’s reaction when she would see the unicorn for the first time, knowing it would make her ecstatic.

“What’ve you found my darling?”

---

This is my entry to the twenty-four hour short story contest by @mctiller
Contest terms and topic link

Image from Pixabay