Philters of various shapes, sizes and colors rest placidly atop the many shelves of the decrepit laboratory. Each a unique decanter filled with dazzling liquids, saturated body parts, and what could only be described as the remnants of lost dreams. Yet, one could find grandiose within these unsightly elixirs. Offers composed of absolute allure, an unknown, coveted or, depending on the imbiber, abjured side effect were rumored to be randomly inserted within. All one had to do was drink their chosen philter to expose such ill-begotten side effects.
These philters remained as conspicuous as the next until the day one amongst their numbers was selected by some courageous wanderer, slowly boosting the appeal of the unchosen. These objects became the marvel of the Laboratory of Wayward Ambitions. They became known as a dance with destiny, a chance to make something out of not. Over time, this lab and its mysterious contents gave birth to legends, both of heroes and villains, as daring souls selected and consume one of the many concoctions found within. It was these people and the stories in which they spun that increased the allure of this ancient facility,from generation to generation.
It was that very reason that the young mind of Charles Hasten found himself standing, almost in awe, in the midst of thousands of tantalizing vials, each a unique possibility that just might solve all of his problems that have driven him to his most recent, drastic actions. Charles also know that each on of these philters possessed the ability to make things worse, but his circumstances were dire and he needed a way out, even if it meant a nightmarish life feeding off the remnants of decaying animals. He stood within the enormous room, contemplating his chances, hopeful of success, and wondering about her, Ilene. If only he could undo the past, but that was not an option. He came to terms with his current predicaments and stepped further into the lab, tasting the futures that slowly churned before him.
Eventually, Charles made it to a shelf covered with cobwebs, obviously not touched nor considered in quite some time. He looked blankly at each philter resting upon the shelf and froze as he sensed that each of these concoctions seemed to be calling out to him. He leaned closer; his face almost up against the shelf and then, Charles, shut his eyes. Instantaneously he heard the pleas. Over here, I have what you are seeking. No, select me. It is I who contain your dreams. Charles it is you, finally we can become one… Opening his eyes, Charles stepped backwards and knew his future was just an arm’s reach away.
Each of the philters on this shelf seemed to be more repulsive, and well…just down right utterly disgusting, than the majority he had already passed up. Charles grab each philter, one-by-one, and examined each with a keen eye. Not a one of these vials resembled anything that would be pleasant to drink, but Charles knew that some of the greatest fates were acquired from the foulest, most ghastly smelling potions that had once rested within this laboratory. Charles instantly made his decision and grabbed the most grotesque bottle from his narrowed choices.
Charles gazed into the bottle and examined the greenish tint of the liquid as he watched small eyeballs, purple chunks of tongue, and what could only be the extremities of an amphibious muck dweller. His insides curdled in disgust, but he had made up his mind, he had chosen and he had to continue no matter what resentments or repercussions lie ahead.
The liquid chilled his mouth and then began to ravage his throat as Charles chugged the potion, eyeballs and all. The initial discomfort was rapidly replaced by a state of intense euphoria. Charles became uncontrollably happy as an enormous smile rose across his face. Then it hit him, a sheer and absolute horror that Charles was only able to withstand by releasing a cacophonous squelch, relinquishing all control of his body, allowing it to plummet to the floor. Charles could feel every inch of his body tingling, and then within a blink of an eye, it was over. The change had finally overtaken him…
A hideous creature was later seen exiting the Laboratory of Wayward Ambitions, hunched and drabbling with uncontrollable mouth drip, and after a few seconds of what looked like mindless meandering, it headed off westward towards the sunset. Month’s later stories were exchanged of a devilish creature that was rumored to prey upon unsupervised children. Until finally, after a collection of village children were found half devoured, a group of men set out and slew the evil that took from them their promised future.
