blood, and yet had none to spare. Desperate and forlorn, he was about to

change his path and walk away. When he heard a song that called on him, to

chance his luck again.

Now the singer was a creature, with the biggest mouth the Gambler had ever seen.

"Excuse my song," the monstrous siren said. "The tune’s purpose was your attention.”

"For I knew you had troubles and I can offer absolutions."

"Can you carry me from this bind?" the youth asked.

"Boy, the world's one river and I'm its king."

“Ain't no place I ain't been. Ain't no place I can't go again.”

"...And the price is a minuscule thing. See, I got hungers that ain't easily fed.

But those finest tables? They ain't never got a seat for me.

So I need men, like yourself, to let me in."

Now the Gambler’s only hunger was dice and cards. So this bargain? It seemed

too easy a price. "If you’re offering a ticket,” the

youth finally said. “That’s a deal. I will take."

And before another word was spoke, the monster snapped him up and fled.

To a faraway land the Gambler was conveyed. At a palace of chance, he was left.

Years passed. And love the Gambler found. His bride a princess. And the wedding?

None would miss.

Now when that hungry beast finally did arise. The family screamed and fought.

And although the Gambler tried to cast him out...

It ate the gifts, and house, and gold! For its hunger? Nothing satisfied.

"Please, not now, not this time!" the bride did cry.

The beast’s response? To her it purred, "This hunger’s a burden but it’s the

last time I swear. So please, forgive."

Now the creature's lies, so melodic and sincere, charmed that bride. And thus

she failed to recognize when that demon's jaw unhinged.

She screamed, just once. As I snapped her bones and crushed her limbs!

Now that meal? It left me satisfied.

So cry if you want boy, 'cause you had a chance to walk away.

Instead you're the fool, the fool who let me in.