The Wish Anthology
A virtual anthology of what happens when wishes come true.
To celebrate 100 subscribers here on Substack, I offered my friends a prompt. Any genre, any length, just tag me in it, and I’ll compile it all here. (A special thanks to Hai Dang for the concept.)
It’s a virtual anthology, so you’re still welcome to join.
Prompt: What happens when a wish comes true? What does it cost? How does it change the wisher? Anything interesting about the mechanism, monster, or being that makes the wish happen?
The Wish Anthology Table of Contents:
The Mirror of Briar Hall by B.A. Ricker
Wish Granter by William Roberts
Your Story could be here!
My contribution is below:
I’ve told the story of how Colin Fisher became a pact wizard and made his deal with Yog Soggoth: blood of a virgin, the Necronomicon, and a locked room mystery. But I’ve never explored what happened with Jacob Dairen. So, now that my editor isn’t here to say no, let’s do this…
A Birthday Wish
Hi. My name is Jake. Right now, I’m playing with Abby. I get the figure Mom calls Han Solo, but I call Hero Man. Abby gets the big muscle guy with the broken sword. We both takes turns over who controls Barbie. Together they’re trying to save the world from Big Evil Guy. At least that’s what I call him. Abby says his name is Asmodeus.
Pew pew. Slice slice. Barbie casts her fairy magic. Big Evil Guy can beat them individually but he’s no match for their powers combined.
“You’d be surprised, Jakey. Asmodeus can take a lot of damage.”
“Yeah, but Hero Man has a laser. Lasers beat everything.”
“Maybe, but…”
“Jacob,” My Mom calls out, interrupting Abby. “Jacob… what are you doing? Why are you still playing in the middle of the living room? Your father is going to be home any minute.”
“Yes, Mom. I’ll clean up.” She doesn’t need to say the rest. I know my daddy doesn’t like it when the living room is a mess. I grab all the toys and head back to my bedroom.
“And don’t forget to wash your hands and brush your hair. It’s your birthday and I want you looking good for pictures.”
“Yes, Mom.” I am this many, but after my party I will be five. I think this is going to be a very good year. Abby and I get to start school and make new friends. I wanted to go to preschool with the other kids, but Dad didn’t think that was a good idea.
I put the toys in a box at the end of my bed, all except for Hero Man, who goes on my pillow. I want to see him as Han Solo, but Dad says we’ll just mess up the tapes. I want to tell him I’ll be good, like with my Aladdin tape, but it’s not a good idea to “talk back.” So for now, he’s just Hero Man. Abby says I’ll like Star Wars. He’s seen it a bunch of times. He tried to tell me we could sneak it out of the closet and watch it, but I’m not so sure. I try to be a good boy.
I wash my hands and brush my hair. It’s a little longer than I like right now. I brush my teeth too, even though that won’t show up in pictures. It’s good to anticipate what adults want.
I hear the car pulling up in the driveway as I go into the kitchen. My mom is carrying a pink cake with sprinkles topped with 5 candles on top, all aglow in gentle flame. Abby and I take our seats. My Dad comes in through the door to the carport.
“Welcome home, honey.”
“Hi, Daddy!” I yell.
Abby says something kind of mean under his breath, but I don’t think anyone heard him.
“Ah, fuck,” He says. Dads are allowed to talk like this, but kids are not. “Do we have to do this now? The game’s on.”
“It is Jacob’s birthday, dear.”
My Dad looks at me and I’m not quite sure what the look means. It’s not the hide in the room eyes, but it’s not the hang out with me and watch TV glance either. “Alright. Fine. Kid only has so many birthdays.”
My Mom pushes the cake in front of me and Abby and Mom start singing. Dad even joins in on the last two lines. “Happy birthday, dear Jacob. Happy birthday to you.”
Mom has a brightly wrapped package in shiny blue metal paper in her hands. “Make a wish, Jacob.”
“Does the cake have to be such sissy colors?” Dad says under his breath. He thinks I don’t hear him, but I do. It’s the same tone he uses when he complains about Barbie saving the universe.
I look at the candles and pull in a breath… then hold it. I’m not sure what to wish for. Maybe if I wish out loud to watch Star Wars, Daddy will watch it with me. That could be fun.
“You’re supposed to make the wish quietly, in your head,” Abby reminds me.
I scrunch up my face, unsure.
“Go on, Jacob. Make your wish and blow out the candles.” My Mom coaxes.
“Kid, you’re killing me. It ain’t rocket science. Just make your stupid wish.”
“I wish…”
Abby whispers in my ear the right words. I think them very hard as I blow out the candle. I wish that Abby and I could be together forever and that I would never get hurt again.
Four of the candles blow out, but the fifth stays flickering.
“Are you sure about that, Jacob?” Abby asks.
I wish it again and blow harder. It stays lit.
“So much for a career as an athlete,” My Dad complains.
I wish it one more time for all I’m worth and try again. The fifth candle goes out.
Wish granted. I hear in my head. And most people call me Abaddon, not Abby.
My Dad starts to say something. I never hear what he tries to say. He bursts into flames, bright orange and hot. The fire is so loud, crackling and popping. The fire alarm goes off and it’s loud too. My Mom screams.
Abaddon just laughs. See kid. Ain’t nobody ever going to hurt you again.
For more Modern Knights, subscribe and keep watch here. Jacob and Abaddon will be back later this summer.
I was confused at first about who "Abby" was but then at the end I went from "ooooooh" to "oh shit!" Lol