She has soft curls of blonde hair, a snub nose, and big, blue eyes that look at the world with curiosity and mischief. No anger, at least for now. Will it always be like this? I hope so. She runs around the apartment in a funny manner, demanding attention with her thin voice. My little daughter, my angel.

"Just a soul... It's so little... Here you go, sign it. Here, here... Yes, yes, of course with blood. But what about it? This is the order. Just a little bit. Who am I? Devil? Nooooo (laughs). I'm a demon. Yes, yes, that's all. When? As soon as we fulfill all three wishes. What? Oh, no, not right away, of course. Everything will take its course. Don't be afraid, no one will send a killer (laughs again). We are a reputable company. Signed? Well, that's all right."

A young guy who looks like a student, wearing cheap jeans, a raglan, and sneakers, stands up, pats me on the shoulder, winks conspiratorially, and heads towards the cafe exit.

"You'll pay for me, okay?" he says as he leaves.

"Wow!" I thought. "And this is a demon? No, this is not a demon - this is a dunce. What kind of stupid jokes are these? I was clearly being played. Moreover, how could I fall for such nonsense? It is me! God, I'm surprised at myself. And this is in the twenty-first century! No, this can't happen to me!"

Meanwhile, the young man left the cafe, got into a cheap and old but black car, and, rattling the engine all over the street, drove off.

*

Of course, it is not customary to take a wife and child fishing. What kind of fishing is this? You have to come fishing with your best friends, drink vodka and beer, and catch fish. Yes, yes, oddly enough, to fish. Well, at least you can try to look for adventure in the nearest village. However, in practice, nothing comes of this. And here is my wife and daughter. Not fishing, but a family picnic. Nevertheless, I still grabbed the fishing rods.

"It's biting! It's biting! Dad, it's biting!" She happily ran around me and clapped her hands.

"I see, I see... Don't make noise. Here we go... Let's hook."

I pulled the rod. He took it aside and picked up the fishing line. A fish fluttered in my palm. A golden fish.

"From an aquarium, or what?" - A stupid thought flashed through my head. The little girl fell silent and stopped clapping her hands. I just looked attentively at my catch.

"Well, what are you looking at?" It was the fish.

I sat up in surprise, almost letting go of her hand.

"Come on, make your wishes. They sent me, you know who. Well?"

"Um-um-um-um..." I mumbled.

"So. It's clear. The usual story. We ourselves don't know what we want, but we're welcome to draw blood. Do you understand, there will be no second chance like this? That's what you are. Let's put me in some vessel with water. Think a little and come straight to me. Only for a little while - I have orders."

I barely found a jar, poured water into it, and carefully lowered the golden fish into it. I didn't dare plant it in a cage. "She'll leave!" - That was another stupid thought. I walked up to the car, took out cigarettes and lit a cigarette. We urgently need to come up with something. And it would be a good idea. What did I really want?

"Swim, swim, fish."

I saw my daughter take a jar and throw its contents straight into the river.

"Swim, swim, fish. Dad and I are fine as is."

I didn't have time to stop her. Oh, my little angel. Maybe this is for the better, huh?