The piglet squealed in the sack as Harald threw it to the ground. It landed on the unmarked grave of his former rival.

The familiar rustle approached. The huge snake slithered across the ground towards him.

‘This is the last I have,’ Harald said, pointing to the piglet.

The snake reared up and looked Harald directly in the eyes. ‘Then you sshall have to find more from ssomewhere else to honour our bargain,’ he hissed.

‘Must I forever be in your debt?’

‘You knew the conssequencess when we struck our deal.’

‘What if I cannot find anything to sacrifice to you?’

‘Then I will vissit your family and take what I wissh.’

The snake took the sack in it’s jaw and dragged it away.

Harald trudged back through the forest. He came to the clearing and looked at his farmhouse. The children were in bed. The fire in the downstairs room silhouetted Karina in the window.

Happiness came with a heavy price, murder with a heavy burden. This was the price he paid to be with the woman he loved.

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.