In a parched town near Brisbane, where the sun blistered the ground and the night air held secrets best kept quiet, a man called Isaac Dune existed.Isaac had once been a decent man — modest and diligent, always ready to assist neighbors with repairs and faithfully attending church every Sunday.
However, fate had turned cruel. He lost his wife at a young age, faced the collapse of his business, and was pursued by debt, like a relentless predator.One evening, with only a bottle of cheap whiskey and a heart burdened with sorrow, Isaac found himself beneath a gnarled gum tree, crying out, “I’d do anything to have a fresh start! Anything!”The wind paused.
The moon dimmed. And then… a voice emerged.“Anything?” it inquired, smooth as honey melting in warmth.A tall figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in black, with faintly glowing red eyes.Isaac responded with a bitter laugh, “Are you the devil or something?”The man remained unblinking. “It’s not names that matter; it’s the deals.”In a moment of vulnerability, Isaac grasped the stranger’s hand.In exchange for his soul, he received riches, charisma, and influence — all he had ever wished for. Within just weeks, he became a celebrity.
The town that once whispered now screamed his name in celebration. Women fawned over him. Bankers respected him. He constructed grand mansions, purchased extensive land, and appeared to tower above every other man in the valley.Yet, as time progressed, Isaac started to feel… hollow. Music no longer touched his heart. Food became tasteless. His reflection felt strange.
The more he accumulated, the less he felt human.One morning, he awoke with a scream. No sound erupted from his lips.Hastily, he dashed to the mirror — and found nothing. No face. No eyes. Just a mere shadow where a man should be.In the far distance, beneath the gnarled gum tree, laughter rang out.For Isaac Dune had it all — except for his soul.
