1-800-Manifest NOW

So, long story short, I came across this thing one late night about how you can “get everything you’ve ever wanted through manifestation.” Well, it was something like that, at least. There I was, lying in bed, bored, around 9:30 P.M. on a Tuesday night, scrolling on my phone through dated Pinterest motivational posts. That’s how I came across this concept of “manifestation.” One post led to another, and then another, and so on and so forth. Most of them were pretty much the same Millennial nonsense, but then I found one that stuck out.

“Get everything you want through manifestation! Call 1-800-Manifest NOW to learn more!”

“What?” I said to myself. The whole thing read like one of those infomercials I used to see all the time on TV as a kid. I didn’t even know companies still advertised numbers like that. So, anyway, I chuckled a bit and decided to call.

It’s not like a single phone call would hurt, now would it?

The phone rang for a bit before a little jingle began playing. The music was sort of bubbly, with an upbeat woman saying: “Anything and everything you want! Don’t hang up! A Manifest NOW representative is on the way!” It was all so silly, and I nearly hung up. Shockingly, someone actually picked up the other end.

She sounded middle-aged and spoke with a soft, airy voice.

“Hello, this is Sharon speaking. How can I help you today?”

I was taken off guard, but figured I might as well ask some questions. I didn’t have anything better to do. So I answered, “Oh, hello! Well, I came across an ad about how I can ‘manifest everything’ I’ve ever wanted. I’m just curious to learn more.”

“Well, it’s a very simple process.” She was chipper and went on to explain the process. The whole thing was pretty straightforward.

“All you need to do is fill out an over-the-phone questionnaire. Once you’ve completed that, you will be paired with an appropriate specialist who will accompany you on your way to manifestation!”
It seemed too good to be true, but I figured ‘ehh, why not!’ So, I decided to go through with it.

The questions were pretty basic. It included things like my name, birthday, address, relationship status, and life goals. It was nothing too alarming. Once I was done, I was told that I would receive a small package in the mail and a follow-up call within seven business days. I thanked the woman, and that was that.

And so, I waited and waited. The next couple of days were pretty normal. I just carried out my usual boring day of breakfast with coffee, work, and lounging around at night. My life has always been pretty lame. Prior to finding Manifest NOW, the most exciting things in my life included saving money where I could, making a good meal, or fixing an exceptionally good cup of coffee.

Finally, on the next Wednesday, it came.

I received a small package in the mail. It was nothing suspicious and was just a plain cardboard box. Inside was a necklace with a little brass pendant. I won’t lie; I liked it. It was merely a simple oval with a unique filigree design on it. Later that evening, I got a call from Manifest NOW.

Instead of a sweet-sounding woman like before, a lifeless-sounding woman was on the other end of the call. “Hello, is this Paula? This is your designated specialist, Debra. Are you ready to manifest everything and anything you’ve ever wanted?” Debra sounded tired and bored, and honestly, I find it hard to believe that she even cared about me or anything else.

“Yes, I am she. I’m absolutely ready to learn!” I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous. I wasn’t sure where this was going, but in a way, I was excited. I was enthralled and ready to see what would happen.
Debra sighed and proceeded to give me the whole rigamarole on how this would work. “Well, okay. Let’s get this over with. So, the first step is to wear the necklace you received every day. Do not take it off. No matter what, do not take it off. Getting it wet won’t hurt it or you, so wear it even in the shower, bath, or rain, or whatever. Now, step two is to think about what you want. I don’t need to know, nor do I want to know, what that may be. For best results, picture every single detail. The results can be a bit funny, if you get what I mean, if things aren’t clear. The third step is to never doubt Manifest NOW. Results can be a bit slow, especially at first, but please, do not worry. Everything and anything you want will be achieved in due time. Any questions?”

It was all too easy, too good. I only had one question at the time, and that was about payment. Nothing about payment was even mentioned. I asked hesitantly and was told:

“Proper payment will be collected when due.”

Something about her tone sent shivers down my spine. I could only trust the process and hope everything would work out fine. It was clearly too easy, too good, but I ignored any and all red flags that flew my way.

And so, I followed the instructions. I put the necklace on and started thinking about the things I wanted in life. Naturally, there are many things that I’ve always wanted. Everyone is like that, though, right? Whether it’s a toy you want as a kid or dreams of something bigger, everybody wants something they don’t have.
Anyway, that’s not really important.

I thought pretty long and hard, exactly like Debra said to. Well, that’s what I did for a good while. Then I just sort of said to myself, “Y’know, I’ve always wanted to find a good man even if he fell from the sky.” I laughed a good bit at the thought, but it still sounded nice. I never cared to go out chasing men, but no one truly wants to be alone forever. I found myself thinking about this picture-perfect man, the “man of my dreams,” if you will. Just as I was advised, I pictured him in vivid detail, down to every inch, and I thought about him doing… Well, you get the picture!

And then a few days later, it happened.

I was out and about running some errands when all of a sudden —
WHAM!

Out of nowhere, a man fell from the sky right in front of me! It was absolutely horrifying! His body was contorted and bent in unnatural ways. Everyone around, myself included, shrieked and gasped in horror. A woman called for an ambulance, a man called for the police, and someone yelled out, “I think he jumped!” Maybe he did jump, but the more I looked at his face, the more I came to realize the terrible truth. This was the man I had dreamed of a few days earlier. He had a light tan, shoulder-length hair, a semi-muscular build, and kind eyes. He was exactly what I imagined.

Since that day, I have had to grapple with what I had done.

Obviously, I didn’t mean for that to happen, but still. I killed a man. I created a man in my head, wished for him to be real, and I killed him.

I tried to wish the guilt away, but it never worked. I was a bit more careful afterwards with what I wanted. Most days, I only thought of simple things like wanting some extra money in my bank account or to find something I lost. It was all very mediocre stuff, really. I have to admit, though, I was impressed. The advertisement was right, and I was able to manifest everything I wanted. As long as I was extremely specific.

Weeks went by with nothing noteworthy happening. I wanted to take a dream vacation, and so I manifested it. I wanted to go out and shop without being accosted by strangers, and so I manifested it. I wanted my grandmother’s missing ring back, and so I manifested it. I now wear the ring all of the time, and it does bring me genuine happiness. But anyway, the necklace was clearly magical, and it worked. Manifest NOW certainly isn’t a scam.

It wasn’t until this past week that something terrible happened. I was chilling in my room when I heard a knock at the door. It was like a light tapping at first when I answered the door. I asked, “Hello?” What greeted me at the door was a nightmare made flesh.
With discolored skin and a mess of hair, stood the man of my dreams.

He was back.

He was back for me.

I slammed the door, locking it as fast as I could. My heart was beating so fast that it felt as if it were shaking in place. He began pounding on the door, trying to make words. The sounds were garbled gibberish, but I could make out a few words. “…you…love…cannot…without…need…you… need…Need…NEED!”

He — No — that monster was getting angry. It sounded like it needed me, but I never asked for that! I pushed back against the door as best as I could. The walls were shaking from the force of its beating. I cried and wished as hard as I could for that thing to go away. At that point, I was clutching the pendant in my hands and shouting, “Go away! Go away! Please! Just go away!” It almost seemed like it wouldn’t leave, but finally, it did. It was all so sudden. One moment, the monster was hitting the door with all of its might and groaning. The next, everything was silent.

I felt relieved that it was gone. I just don’t understand why it came back. I saw the man’s body when he fell. I watched as paramedics took him away. I saw the news report about how a mysterious man fell from seemingly nowhere. The police were investigating, but there were no updates on the case. He was as dead as it gets. Those eyes. They were still the same kind eyes that I imagined, but now they were a disgusting pale, whitish-yellow color.

I broke down right there at the base of my front door. I cried and cried and cried. I wished for that thing to never come back. I begged and pleaded with any higher power that would listen to make that thing go away for good. I tried to compose myself the best that I could. I tried to get myself to go to sleep. I tried to ease my anxiety, but nothing worked. I found myself curled up in my bed, afraid to move even a toe.

The night came and went, and I was at a loss on what to do. When I finally opened the front door, I found a trail of greenish-gray gunk. It was slimy and reeked. I kept composed as best as I could, but it was all too much. At this point, I was on the verge of a mental collapse and could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I wanted to erase the memory from my mind, but I couldn’t bring myself to actually do it.

Instead, over the next few weeks, I kept manifesting good luck. I needed some positivity back in my life. I manifested good events, went to shows, movies, and even got into a few fancy restaurants. For an extra bit of safety, I did a little cleansing ritual to clear the air of negativity. Life was going good.

Too good, apparently.

It was late at night on one Saturday when the banging at my door and grotesque groans were back. I could feel myself beginning to panic. My heart was racing; my eyes began welling with tears once again. “I just want it to end!” I started shouting desperately over and over.

All I want is for everything to end. It’s been hours now, and all I can hear are those awful noises!

It kind of sounds like: “I need you. I want you now. Just let me…” The words are fractured at best, but I can’t take it anymore!

I never wanted this.

Yeah, sure, I dreamed of having the “perfect man,” but that’s every woman’s dream. We all want someone to simply treat us well, hold us, and give us what we want. Right?

My God… Does that thing want what I think he wants?

Surely not!

No!

No! He can’t possibly want THAT. He’s not even alive! I mean, if he were alive, then his decaying flesh wouldn’t be sloughing off his bones as I type this. Even his once lovely hair has fallen off! I just want my wishes for him to go away to be answered and for the torment to end!

Ugh! I’m so over this and ripped the necklace off! I don’t care if I’m not supposed to. I’m just so tired, and all I want is for this to end. My grandmother’s ring is the only thing comforting me right now.
…
Oh God!

Debra just called.

She said, in that lifeless tone of hers, “Payment will be collected soon.”

Credit: Christen T.