The Binding

The city lights were like fallen stars on the earth, reflecting on the tall buildings of glass and steel reaching towards the sky. One of these was the residence of Arthur, a 32-year-old man leading a monotonous and simple life. His home was on the thirteenth floor, a compact but comfortable space, tailored precisely to his loneliness.

Arthur had Patrick as his neighbor, a man of the same age. At first glance, Patrick seemed like an ordinary guy, but for Arthur, he was like an oasis in the desert. From the first greeting, from the first smile, Patrick had become an obsession for Arthur. He knew his neighbor's schedule by heart, sought to coincide with him in the elevator, at the building entrance, even on the street. And Patrick, for his part, only saw him as a neighbor, someone to share brief moments of courtesy.

Patrick's life was marked by the constant presence of his girlfriend, a woman who visited him frequently, filling his apartment with her laughter and perfume. Arthur observed from a distance, yearning for what he knew he could never have.

Every greeting, every chance encounter, and every casual conversation with Patrick stole a piece of Arthur's heart.

One day, strolling through the city streets, Arthur saw a peculiar advertisement on a lamppost: a shaman promising eternal love ties. In an impulsive and desperate act, he decided to contact the shaman offering these services. The shaman was an old man, with deep and dark eyes that conveyed wisdom and a touch of malevolence.

Arthur explained his situation, his forbidden and unrequited love. The shaman agreed to help him but warned that the binding he would perform involved a pact with the lord of shadows, with the devil, and that he always collected his favors. Blinded by desire and desperation, Arthur accepted.

The ritual was dark and eerie. The shaman chanted words in an ancient and unknown language, moving his hands with precise and fast gestures. At the end of the ritual, he gave the following instruction: Arthur must perform smoke rituals every two days with a photo of Patrick since if he failed to do so, the magic would break.

Upon returning to his building, the change was immediate. Patrick was waiting for him. He invited him for coffee, showing himself warmer and more affectionate than ever. In the following days, Patrick showed a growing interest in Arthur; casual chats turned into long conversations, cordial smiles into looks full of desire.

Patrick left his girlfriend and started spending more time with his neighbor, sharing laughter, secrets, and intimate moments. It was like a dream come true for Arthur, except for the constant smoke from the tobacco that now became part of his life.

Arthur had always hated smoking, but seeing the result of the rituals made him feel that every puff he blew towards the photo of his beloved was worth it. However, it became increasingly difficult to find moments to perform the smoke rituals since Patrick was with him most of the time. Nevertheless, Arthur managed to devise ways to avoid being discovered.

Three years passed since the beginning of the binding, and the tobacco smoke had damaged Arthur's lungs, causing breathing problems. Still, he kept smoking, fearing to lose Patrick.

Arthur was diagnosed with lung cancer, and unable to continue with the smoke rituals, Patrick's love for him faded as quickly as it had arrived.

Patrick was confused and horrified, as if waking up from a bad dream. He tried to reconcile with his ex-girlfriend, but she refused to take him back. Shattered and ashamed, Patrick decided to move out of the building, leaving Arthur and his memories behind.

Abandoned and sick, Arthur did not take long to succumb to his illness. On his deathbed, he recalled the shaman's words: "The devil always collects his favors." And so it was. His soul was ripped from his body and taken to hell. Arthur paid with his life for the love he could never have naturally.

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