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Gabel Grandpa said that if you counted the raindrops, just before the downpour, until you reached number seven, then Gabel would come. I asked dad about it but like mom, he had heard the story but never bothered to count. I told Brian, who told Phil, who told Marge, and here we are for the third day in a row, trying to count the raindrops. Yesterday the weather man lied again, it didn’t rain. Today our luck might change. A storm was brewing. Marge was curious about Gabel. Grandpa said that he would bring us our most cherished desire in exchange for what we hated most. Nobody could know what was that desire or that hated thing. If we let the secret out, then Gabel would take us instead. Grandpa said that he owed everything that he owns to him, but could not tell us what he gave up or what he received. We sat together inside the old stable, still stacked with carts and logs. We were all very quiet. Everyone had come for a gift and no one wanted to spill the beans. I was in love with Marge, she was the prettiest girl I have ever seen. I kept watching her now – red lips, soft, rosy cheeks, jet black eyebrows, blonde hair, and green eyes. The clouds covered the skies with blackness, thunder rolled as lightning brightened up the sky. We waited. Patiently and silently. A bolt of lightning struck the columns nearby and Marge screamed and huddled close to Phil. Wished that was me. The drops pounded loudly on the old, zinc roof, a lengthy pitter-patter. We chorused like an orchestra until we reached seven. Then we all let out a whoop of joy, we had done it. Would he come? The rains came, strong and thunderous, in torrential maniac that shook the roof, and further darkened the stable. ‘I was expecting, just one person. Who is the first wisher?’ The voice floated from the walls; we searched but saw no one. My body trembled from the cold and the fear sneaking up my sleeves. Marge screamed and hid behind Phil. Phil was ash white and his hands shook like a wet dog. I looked at Brian, he was not afraid. He turned to face the voice and raised one hand to his hip. ‘So, you do exist! I best start the wishing.’ There was an authority in his voice that I have never seen before. We all thought him a coward. ‘Very well, Brian, come closer and place your hands on the wall,’ How did he know his name? Did he know mine as well? Brian walked to the wall, placed his hands against it, and something like cobwebs ran up his hands and covered his shoulders. ‘Your wish is rather unique, are you sure that is what you want? It will cost you something more. You must give me two things in exchange for this one.’ ‘I am sure. I will give you both of them, then.’ Brian smiled. ‘I have taken the first one. The other has a conflicting wish. Do you wish to change or should I proceed?’ Brian nodded in agreement. Marge screamed as Phil vanished from beside her. The lightning seemed to shower down on the building for a while longer. Brian turned and faced me. He smiled again. ‘Goodbye Mathew, I couldn’t have done it without you.’ He turned to the voice again. ‘I am ready.’ I felt my heart collapse and I fell to the ground. Brian and Marge vanished into thin air. And so did Gabel.