A Stolen Youth

It was a long time ago, the memories as vivid as if it happened yesterday, I have no clue where the time has gone to, though I do know who stole it. 

A man name Mr. Stils, he knew me and my problems before I got a chance to tell him. I figured he was some of psychic, a sort of person who seemed more engaged with the unseen spirits than us mere humans. 

He walked up to me as I sat on a park bench eating a meager ham and cheese sandwich. I happened to be on the verge of losing my apartment after failing to keep my job, to make my circumstances worse I was just dumped by my first and only love. 

"My name is Mr. Stils, I can help you," he spoke. "I see in your eyes that you are in despair, you have no money, no love, and lack any drive to get either back."

"What kind of help?" I asked.

"I will ensure that you can become wealthy, beyond wealthy and in that you will attract many women, you'll have your choices and you will pick a perfect, doting match," he answered. "Look over there."

I looked at an older round gentleman with a beautiful woman then back at Mr. Stils. He pointed as though he was showing off a piece of artwork.

"See, see, that man, that man used to be sad and lonely, but we struck a deal and now he has the woman of his dreams."

"I see, what kind of deal?"

"You see, I need your youth," he answered, "and fortunately for me, I know how to take it from you, and though you will look old, you will have everything you want, you may feel some aches and pains and dislike your reflection, but you will just have to look at your wife and remember that you got quite a bargain."

I looked at Mr. Stils and began to laugh, thinking I must be getting pranked, this man was insane. He folded his arms and laughed back, so very close to my face, mocking me and soon I was no longer laughing. I felt his breath upon my nose and a heavy hand upon my shoulder.

"I know you have nothing in your bank account, quite depleted so much you will not be able to live on your own, you will be forced to move into your stepmother's basement, while your father is unable to retire because of leeches like you, you will lose your hair anyway and the memories of falling in love with your sweet Anna will become the only thing you hold onto while you lay in bed . I see that in all of your future, you will have accomplished little to nothing," he spoke. “So, will you take my offer and give me your youth in exchange I give you wealth beyond comparison."

I felt a bead of sweat fall down my forehead and my palms grasped onto my knees. I saw the exact vision he described of me and my future in all of it's bleakness and lack of hope. I saw my father and stepmother whispering behind my back and my first love walking past me with sympathy. 

"Ok I will take your bargain."

In no time at all, I was someone I couldn't recognize. I woke up the next day to a receding hairline and a bank account worth fifty-million dollars.

I took a car to my first love's house, thinking I would finally be happy, she would accept for who I was, now a successful man. Yet, she looked at me with disgust and loathing, shutting the door in my face. I scoured the town to find Mr. Stils, who sat at the bar in the most grimy of pubs. 

"Sees you found me," he spoke.

He looked youthful, more youthful and spoke with eagerness and joy. 

"Anna did not want me, you said I would have my choices of women and never be alone."

"You are angry?"

"I trusted you."

"I did not lie, you are wealthier than any man in the area, even the man I helped before you. He only wanted ten million. Now for Anna, pretty girl, so strong minded as well. She does not like you, she never has."

"But you said-"

"Ah, well sorry to disappoint you, I took your youth and made you rich, that was the deal, I cannot reverse it."

I stormed out of the pub. The rain fell steady upon me as I walked to my small apartment. A man in the shadows took me by my collar.

"You made a deal with Mr. Stils?"

"Yes," I answered.

The man punched me in the stomach and stole my wallet and ran away as I lay on the wet concrete in agony. I wanted to rewind time, to take back the stupid trade, to have rejected the money and asked for love because that is what I truly desired. I didn't go on a spending spree or stash my wealth in the market, the first thing I did was try to win back my first love. I was a fool.

 Several years later, I am still rich, the thief didn't get away with much, Mr. Stils though he got away with everything. 

I am lonely though I have companions and I am sad though I have constant entertainment. Mr. Stils never showed his face again and some days I convince myself life was never as it was before, but deep down inside I look back fondly at my stolen youth and hope one day to steal it back.