
The Devil's Smile
By Storybird

30 Jun, 2023

In the little town of Arrington, legend had it that an unusual figure appeared when the moon was full, illuminating the town under its cold light. A man, as pale as a sheet with long blonde hair that shimmered like gold under the moonlight, and sharp teeth that were often painted with red.

Randall, an adventurous and curious boy of 13, had heard these tales since early childhood. He never believed in such ghost stories. To him, they were merely folktales told by his grandmother to make him sleep.

It was a full moon night, just like the ones described in the tales. Randall was returning from his friend's house, the cold breeze whistled past his ears and the moon stared down at him.

Suddenly, he saw a figure standing in the deserted alleyway. It was him, the pale-skinned man, arms wide open as if mocking the audacity of the boy daring to cross his path. His mouth curled into a wicked smile, revealing blood-stained teeth.

Randall’s heart raced, and his blood turned cold. He stood frozen, his dark eyes wide open with a mixture of curiosity and fear. He was terrified, yet somewhere deep within him, he felt a strange sense of excitement.

Gathering all his courage, he took a few steps towards the figure. Before he could manage to utter a single word, the man with the golden hair, said in a whispering tone, “Do not be afraid, child.”

The voice was softer than he had expected. It had a calming effect on Randall, but his mind was still flooded with the stories he had heard. A gazillion thoughts rushed in his mind.

“Who are you? Why are you here?” Randall managed to ask, his voice trembling. The figure laughed, a laugh that echoed in the alley, sending chills down Randall's spine.

The pale-skinned man explained his tale. How he had been cursed by a witch, doomed to roam the town for eternity. His laughter was hollow, his eyes sad, telling the tale of a pained soul.

Randall felt a pang of sympathy. He decided to help the cursed man. With a determined look, he promised the figure that he would do everything in his power to break the curse.

And so, the boy and the cursed man embarked on numerous adventures, exploring haunted houses, ancient libraries and abandoned churches, searching for a way to break the curse.

The duo fought against time and countless spooks as they searched for the solution. Studying ancient books, deciphering cryptic codes and riddles, they relentlessly pursued their goal.

Along their journey, the pale-skinned man taught Randall things far beyond his simplistic village life. They shared stories, laughter, and even tears. A unique bond developed between the unlikely pair.

After months of relentless searching, they finally found a potential solution, hidden in an ancient manuscript. The curse could be broken by a pure-hearted person's selfless act.

Randall, with his courage and purity of heart, was the perfect candidate. He, however, was apprehensive. Was he pure of heart? Would he be able to break the curse? The doubts plagued his mind.

With immense faith in his heart and the hope to free his friend from the curse, he took the risk. He stood before the cursed man, recited the spell and performed the ritual.

The pale-skinned man was engulfed in a bright light. The air rippled with an unearthly energy. The light was blinding, the power was formidable. Then, as abruptly as it had started, it ended.

When the light faded, standing in front of Randall was a man, his appearance unchanged except for his eyes. The sadness and pain were gone. A sense of tranquillity radiated from him.

Overwhelmed with emotion, they embraced each other. The curse was finally broken. The once tormented man was free. The town was no longer haunted, and Randall was hailed as a hero.

Despite breaking the curse, the man chose to stay in the town. Not as a haunting ghost, but as a mortal. He became a blessed figure, a symbol of freedom, his tale a beacon of hope.

The story of the pale-skinned man and the brave boy became an integral part of the town's folklore. Their story was told to the children, just as the old tales were once recited to a young boy named Randall.

The tale was an example of friendship, bravery, and sacrifice. It taught the children of Arrington the values of courage and compassion, demonstrating that even a simple boy could be a hero.

As for Randall, he grew up to be an inspiring figure in Arrington. He grew wise and brave, and above all, he remained kind. He became the proof that no challenge is too great when armed with courage and kindness.

So every full moon night in Arrington, the town's children would gather around, looking at the sky, waiting for the pale-skinned man to appear. But instead of fear, they did so with anticipation and joy.

And whenever the moon shone brightly, casting an eery silver light on the quiet town, Randall, now an old man, would look towards the sky and remember his adventures with the golden-haired man.

His eyes, filled with nostalgia, would search the sky, silently acknowledging the friend he had once made on a similar moonlit night. The friend he had saved, and who, in turn, had transformed the town's legend forever.

So it was that the figure with pale white skin and long blonde hair, once a symbol of fear, became a symbol of hope and bravery in the town of Arrington, all thanks to a young boy's courage and compassion.

And the tales of the pale-skinned man and the brave boy continued to echo in the town of Arrington, inspiring generations to come, turning what was once a fearsome legend into a tale of hope, friendship, and bravery.

So when you find yourself in the little town of Arrington, look up at the full moon, and you just might catch a glimpse of the golden-haired man. And if you do, remember the tale of the brave boy who befriended him.

And thus, under the moonlit night, the tale of Randall and the pale-skinned man lives on in every breeze that blows, every leaf that rustles and every tale told in the town of Arrington.

In the end, it wasn't just a tale of a haunted man and a brave boy. It was a tale of friendship, courage, sacrifice and redemption. It was a tale that would forever remain etched in the hearts of the people of Arrington.

And so, the boy who once fearlessly ventured into the deserted alleyway under the moonlit sky became a legend. And the pale-skinned man, once feared and avoided, was remembered with respect and admiration.

And in the end, the tale left a legacy, not of fear and superstition, but of hope and bravery. Because in Arrington, under the full moon, there were no ghosts or ghouls, only the tale of a brave boy and his friend, the pale-skinned man with long blonde hair.

The story of Randall and the pale-skinned man was a testament to the strength of human spirit, the power of friendship and the magic of belief. It was a story that turned a ghost story into a tale of hope, turning fear into inspiration.

And whenever the moon shone in its full glory, painting the town in its silvery light, the people of Arrington would remember their tale. And in their hearts, they knew, that in their town, every child had the potential to be a hero, just like Randall.