Deals and Consequences

I couldn’t believe what was happening. This strange boy that I was trying to convince myself to forget was standing in my new room, saying that my parents weren’t going to help me, and he was here to make me and my father pay for what he had done to the boy’s food truck. I wanted to believe I was dreaming, but I’ve never had a good imagination.

And who in their right mind would dream of something like this? The boy moved to the middle of the room and sat on the empty boxes. “I know you’re new to the area…”

I nodded, trying to think of something to say, but he raised a finger to silence me. “But I’m afraid ignorance is no excuse. You and your father would have received food if you’d waited a bit longer. Didn’t you read the reviews? My food truck is only open at night.”

“I didn’t read any of it.” I was too busy trying to figure out what that weird whale was. “Please… we’ll pay for the damages”-

“This isn’t about money, Meg. It’s about tradition, common sense, and the laws of retribution. I can only forgive so much, but your father’s actions are intolerable.”

“Then why aren’t you talking to him? I didn’t go near your truck!” The boy tilted his head, studying me, and I felt like a little kid staring at an elephant. It was huge in a way I could never hope to be, and it didn’t care what I wanted. The boy leaned forward and whispered.

“Is that what you want, Meg? For your father to be the one to hear these words? I can go to him if you wish. It won’t change anything, but I felt like you would be the one to listen this time.”

“This time?” He nodded, and I leaned forward, closing the distance to a few feet as I asked, " Have you done this before?”

“More times than you can count. It was worse when I started. You humans have a habit of thinking only of yourselves. You killed my family, and I have been more than content to return the favor. But then I got bored, and killing humans lost most of its appeal… Do you know what I am?”

“Some kind of ghost? You disappeared when you went into the truck. My dad never saw you.” The boy smiled, chuckling darkly as I blushed.

“I’m a ghost. The ghost of a whale who lost its life to a boat of murderous humans, to be precise.”

“You’re a Bakekujira.” I read about them last year when I started digging into Japanese Folklore. Bakekujira are the ghosts of whales killed by whalers off the coast of the Sea of Japan. Seeing one is said to bring about plagues and other kinds of diseases… And there’s one sitting in my room!

The boy nodded. “I am. It’s nice that I won’t have to explain everything to you, Meg. You might survive this.”

“Survive?” He grinned, showing teeth that were far too pointed to be anything but a predator’s. I didn’t know what I was thinking as my fear latched onto the only thing that made sense. “You’re lying. Bakekujira are basically floating skeletons surrounded by strange fish and birds that no one’s ever seen. I’ve never heard of one transforming into a human, never mind working at an abandoned food truck at night.”

“Oh? I didn’t realize I was dealing with a scholar. Please, tell me more about my kind while your father chokes on his blood.” My eyes widened as he stood, heart pounding away as he turned to leave the room. If I don’t do something. Dad is going to die! I’ll admit to doing some stupid things as a kid.

But I haven’t found anything that tops the way I grabbed his arm and shouted. “Wait! I’m sorry. Please, don’t kill my dad. He didn’t know he was doing something wrong!”

The boy snorted, glaring at me as I clung to him. “He didn’t know that he shouldn’t break into private property and break things that don’t belong to him?”

I blushed and tried to explain when his hand gently touched where my dad had squeezed me. “Your father didn’t know that his hands are not meant to hurt his child?”

“H-he didn’t…” The boy shook his head. Something that might have been pity in his eyes as he stared at me.

“Oh, Meg. You poor thing. I see why you both found your way to my food truck, and I know what you want. You should eat the dish I prepared for you, Meg. It’ll make everything better.”

“We found the directions through the site… Why have it if you don’t want people to find you?” He acted like I hadn’t said a word as he gently pushed me back onto the bed before turning to the closet.

“That ad is special. I told you that I lost most of my pleasure in killing humans. But I haven’t lost all of it.” He picked up a plate with steam rising from it and turned to me with a smile. “Some people… don’t understand that there are some lines you must never cross. I made a deal with a deity, you see. One where I agreed to slaughter anyone who comes to my truck and refuses to see the error of their ways… Your father is one of them.”

“And me?” Did I do something so horrible that I deserve to die? We just went there to get something to eat. How did this happen? The boy, Bakekujira, placed the plate next to me and I couldn’t resist smiling as a pleasant aroma filled the air around me. The food didn’t look like any sushi I’d ever seen, but my mouth was watering regardless.

Bakekujira shook his head. “You don’t deserve death, Meg. You deserve freedom. Your father doesn’t like to be crossed, does he? He hates it when he can’t get his way.”

“I… everyone is like that.”

“Do you think so?” I didn’t, but there was no need to tell him that. Bakekujira didn’t need to hear my answer anyway. He lightly patted my head and sighed. “My poor little Meg. Forced to grow up for the promise of an adventure. I think I might pity you.”

“Might?” He nodded, reaching over my shoulder to pick up my whale statue.

“You haven’t had this long.”

“No. My parents bought it for me a couple of weeks ago.” Was that really such a short time ago? I’d give anything to go back and refuse to come here! Bakekujira nodded, lightly tracing the spine as he asked.

“Are you willing to throw away everything you know and love to protect your father?”

“What kind of question is that?” His eyes snapped to mine, and I swallowed unconsciously.

“A very simple one. Your father dared to trespass on my domain, but you disobeyed my orders. His crime is worthy of death, but I am willing to show you mercy, Meg. Since you’re new to this area and know my name, I can’t tell you how annoying it is to repeat something that used to be basic knowledge to people who should know better. You’re like a fresh summer breeze to me…”

He put the statue next to the dish and kneeled in front of me. My heart was pounding, and I was sure he could hear it. But Bakekujira only stared at me, waiting. I forced myself to swallow as I looked at the dish before looking back at him. “By mercy… you mean the food? You want me to eat this?”

“I want you to eat it all, Meg.”

“And if I do, you’ll spare my father, right? You’ll leave us alone?!” Bakekujira raised an eyebrow as he offered me a pair of chopsticks in a paper wrapper.

“Your father will live.” I took the chopsticks, almost dropping them as his fingers brushed mine before asking.

“Am I… going to die?”

His words were ice against my skin. “Yes. But you’re a dutiful child despite your circumstances. You’ll do well, and as long as he doesn’t cross me again… He won’t have to worry about meeting me in my true form.”

“Can I?” He tilted his head in confusion. I knew I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t suppress feeling a tiny spark of glee at having surprised him. I’m going to die because a whale ghost that looks like a cute boy is going to kill me for what Dad did. And I’m happy I got to confuse him… I did mention I get worse, didn’t I?

“Can you what, Meg?” I picked up the dish and leaned forward so our noses were almost touching.

“Can I see your true form?” The silence could have killed me. Whales aren’t generally referred to as predators, but the look on his face didn’t belong to a friendly giant.