Spirit Unleashed

Over the small English town hung a dark, foreboding cloud. The people of this town, unfamiliar with anything outside of the thick stone gates of their little community, were completely unaware of the fact that they were the only area within fifty miles to be experiencing such a storm. Citizens scurried about the town square, rushing to get inside before the rain started to pour.

Jake, a boy of twelve, was much confused by all the worry. Gazing up at the sky, his emerald eyes sparkling with wonder, he thought about what it would be like to ride out a storm like that. He pictured himself sitting atop the town's bell tower, rain and wind pushing against him, lightning making the sky glow an electric white. He glanced mischievously over at his mother, standing not far away, chatting with one of the other villagers.

He thought about what she would do when she realized he was gone. Probably ground him- for life. He cringed, thinking about the inevitable shouting match. But something about that cloud seemed to call to him. He swore he could almost hear whispers coming from above. "Come on Jake, be adventurous, you only live once."

Smiling, once again thinking about the top of that bell tower, he broke into a sprint. No one even noticed him streaking through the Town Square, racing off on his new adventure.

It wasn't long before he reached the church, along with its beautifully ornate tower and bell. Clambering up a steep spiral staircase he had spent much time exploring as a young boy, Jake soon reached the top of the tower, looking out onto his little town. The thunder rumbled deeply and it began to ran.

At first it was exciting. The water sloshing around him and the thunder shaking the precarious perch beneath him gave Jake the feeling of a great adventurer- perhaps a seafaring pirate. He imagined sailing the seven seas, plundering coastal towns and victoriously returning to his ship with chests filled with gold.

"It could be all yours you know," the voice came out of nowhere, almost causing Jake to tumble from his stoop.

He looked into the sky, dazed and confused. "Who's there?"

"My name is Lord Sauron," the voice boomed louder than the thunder crackling in the sky.

Jake's eyes were wide with shock and his heart began pumping hard, adrenaline rushing through his system.

"W-what do you want?" he tried to sound brave, but could not quite muster the courage he wished he had.

"To make your dreams come true, young boy, to ask you to let me in."

"Let you in where?"

"Into your soul boy, the only place where I will have the power to make you into somebody."

Jake sort of liked the sound of that, of being somebody. And that voice, so deep and trustworthy, dripping with temptation.

"Yes, you would like that wouldn't you," the voice said. "Well all you need is to say one word- yessss," Sauron hissed, sensing he was already breaking down the will of his victim. The advantage of picking children.

Now completely unaware of himself, thinking only of adventure and glory, Jake uttered the word that would change the fate of his world.

"Yes."

And the spirit of Sauron slipped into him.