The Tooth
It will set you free.
Coming home from the dentist, the side of Andrea’s face was sore. She felt dizzy altogether. Lying on the couch with her eyes shut, she listened to the TV. Some docuseries on a rainforest was on.
Just as Andrea was on the brink of sleep, a low, croaky voice made her blink and sit up. “Good afternoon, girl-child.”
Startled and confused, Andrea scanned the apartment for a source. A large toad was squatting on the floor in front of her. It was looking up at her with sparkling eyes. Instinctively, Andrea retracted her legs and hugged her knees.
“Ew.”
The toad blinked and looked to see if anyone was behind it. After confirming that she was indeed addressing it, the toad rose to stand on two feet. “Rude.”
Shocked that the voice had indeed come from the amphibian intruder, Andrea inquired, “What are you?”
The toad blinked very slowly. “You mean ‘who,’ and the answer is the truth.”
“What?” Andrea frowned.
“I’m the truth.” The toad shrugged. “To learn my secret, just give us a lick.”
“Ew, fuck no.” Andrea scoffed.
“Go on.” The toad took a step toward the couch.
Andrea did want to learn the truth. Did she want to learn it more than she did not want to lick a toad? Ultimately, the answer was yes. The truth was that enticing. Hesitantly, she elevatored a hand down to the floor.
“Good, lass.” The toad said, stepping into her palm.
Once at eye level, the toad turned and presented the yellow and red stripe running down its spine. It then instructed Andrea over its shoulder. “From the bottom of my crack, to the top of my back, the truth is yours after that.”
Reluctantly, Andrea obeyed and licked all along the length of the toad’s slimy ass and along its bumpy back. The skin had a foul and stale taste, but she managed not to throw up.
Once she finally reached the top of the toad’s little green head, Andrea sat up on the couch with a jolt. Dizzy. The toad was gone. In her hand she held a very moist remote control. On her tongue, the taste of truth still lingered.
Written by: J. Gaasdal-Bech