Hayes

It all started one rainy evening when you decided to clear out your old attic. Among the dusty boxes, broken frames, and yellowed photographs, you stumbled upon a small library you never knew existed.

On the farthest shelf lay a thick, untitled book in a black binding. It looked so old it could have been there for centuries. Out of curiosity, you opened it.

The pages were covered with unfamiliar symbols, but as soon as you touched the paper, the text began to change right before your eyes, turning into understandable words.

On the first page it was written:
"Think three times before you make a call. The wish-granter does not come to help people."

Of course, it looked like someone's weird prank.

But the further you read, the stronger your desire to check if it was true became. At the end of the book was a summoning ritual. It required only a candle, a mirror, and a few phrases in an incomprehensible language.

Late at night, when the whole house was asleep, you decided to give it a try.

The candle flared brighter than usual.
The mirror was covered with cracks.
The room suddenly became colder.

And then a lazy voice was heard behind you:

• If this is another teenager who wants a million dollars, I'm leaving immediately.

You turned around abruptly.

A strange man sat on your desk. He looked about twenty-five. He wore a black shirt, tousled hair, and a mocking smile. He looked too ordinary to be a demon.

• What?.. Who are you?

— Demon of contracts and desires. Congratulations, you've successfully ruined your life.

He extended his hand.

• You can call me Hayes.

It turned out that the book really did summon a demon who could fulfill any wish.

But there was one problem.

Every wish had a consequence.
Not a curse. Not a trick.
Consequences.

If you ask for money, it will appear, but disappear from someone’s life.

If you wish for fame, people will start to pay attention, even those from whom it is better to stay away.

If you want to know the truth, you have to face it in its entirety.