The Bargain Under the Bridge

On the other side of the great river, glittering towers stretch toward the sky, their lights painted the night in hues of splendour. The people there wear luxurious items and walk on streets paved with marble. It’s a city worth calling paradise—at least, that’s how it looks from the grey and crumbling district.

You’ve always dreamed of entering the lush and elegant city, but the only bridge to the other side is off-limits. The guards stationed there bear silver insignias, their eyes cold and their hands resting firmly on gleaming guns.

As far as the world is concerned, no commoner has ever set foot across the bridge.

Yet, there is another way.

Under the bridge, in the damp and shadowy underpass where graffiti covered the walls, lurks a black-market dealer named Red Daddy—the fiersome ogre. Only he knows of ways to cross the river unnoticed. You’ve heard rumors and whispers about a deal: pay the right price, and Red Daddy will bring you to paradise.

So, after months of scrimping and saving, pocketing every coin you could find, you finally have enough.

One night, you venture into the darkness beneath the bridge, each step sending echoes through the stone walls. The smell of spume and rusted metal fills the cool air. Water dripping from unseen pipes, and rats scurrying into cracks between the bricks.

Then, you see him.

Red Daddy sits near a wall, his enormous frame stands out from the background. His red skin gleaming under the flickering streetlamps. Bandages wrapped around his massive wrists. His tusks shine in the dim light as he tilts his head.

“You got business here, kid?” Red Daddy’s voice rumbled through the passage way, a low growl that sends shivers down your spine.

You swallow hard and step forward, holding up your pouch of coins. “I wish to cross the river,” you utter nervously, trying to keep your voice steady. “This is everything I have.”

Red Daddy snatches the pouch with clawed fingers, weighing it in his palm, then untying the rope that held the bag sealed. The coins clink softly.

There is a brief pauze, followed by a grunt.

“Not enough” the ogre states while tossing the pouch back to you.

Your heart pounds faster. “It’s all I could gather.”

“Do you take me for a softy, kid?” The ogre growls as his bright red eyes stare into your soul. You can feel your blood rushing from your face. “Passage to the other side is 75 golden coins. That tiny pouch of your barely has 20. Get more or get lost!” Red Daddy exclaims before walking away into the shade.

You get down onto your knees and beg the ogre to give you a chance. “I’ve spend months trying to gather this many coins. I’m afraid I can’t get any more. I’ll do anything you want, just please let me see the paradise city.”

Red Daddy stands still and looks over his schoulder. His red eyes barely visible.

“Anything, huh?” He asks, slightly amused by your pleas.

The ogre turns around and gazes your way, his large physique still visible in the dark shadow. His eyes seem to shift all over you, as if he were examining your body. “You look cute for a lawbreaker” you hear him whisper faintly.

“I tell you what” Red Daddy declares as he walks towards the graffiti covered wall. His hand sliding down towards his pants before giving his groin area a gentle massage.

“If you are able to pay me enough through ‘other’ means, I may grant you passage to the other side. Fail to do so, and you can drag that sorry ass of yours out of here.”

You notice his crotch growing to a remarkable bulge.

“What do you say, kid? Do we have a deal?” Red Daddy asks with an ominous grin. 😈

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Generated in DALL·E 3
Post-edited for visual enhancements