This is the story of a goblin called Finders Keepers.

FK is a goblin who likes watches and at night, sometimes FK likes to steal your watch from your bedroom…sometimes.

FK is a goblin of course and he likes expensive shiny things.

He also likes it when you cut corners on your dreams.

“Where is he, where is she? I need a shiny watch” says FK.

Through the night, through your bedroom and even through your mind.

“I found a woman; I found a watch” FK calmly speaks aloud.

Crawling on the bed above Beth and Allan her husband. FK is as big as your hand with nails that grow so long, so thin and sharp.

An affluent couple asleep in their bed. Atop Beth’s chest, FK’ nails extend to softly touch Allan’s mouth to quiet him. Allan’s whole body is perfectly still. Allan’s lips have done the same. At the sight of FK, Allan’s eyes reflect sheer fear.

FK is not here for Allan, FK is here for Beth’s beautiful watch that even sparkles in the low lit night light. “What did you do to allow me to take your beautiful watch Ms Beth?” asks FK. FK always speaks proper and calm. FK prides himself on his professionalism. He scoffs at other goblins that act and speak like fools in other stories.

Whilst Allan is awake and very quiet, FK slowly and softly injects the nail from his index finger into Beth’s right ear. Allan watches and begins to cry as Beth commences convulsing violently on the bed. “Its almost over Beth. How did you earn your dreams? How did you earn your watch?” asking Beth quietly, now standing on Beth’s chin and looking deeply into her eyes.

Before Beth’s clothing label began to prosper, she received the emotional and financial support of family and friends. “You forgot your family and friends Beth. The people that supported you when you needed help. You have not even repaid the money you owe them. You built your dreams forgetting those that supported you. Consider your watch mine” FK responded to himself after probing Beth’s mind with his finger nail.

Poof!

In an instant FK was gone. Both Beth and Allan were fast asleep. No longer did Allan have a long slender fingernail on his lips. No longer did Beth have a long thin fingernail in her ear. Beth awoke yelling, “Finders Keepers!”. “What did you say?” responded Allan. “I didn’t say anything, what are you talking about?” said Beth casually. Last night was forgotten because FK does not exist. “My alarm clock has stopped on 3:15” noted Allan as he was getting out of bed. “So has mine” replied Beth. Last night was forgotten because FK does not exist.

Without much thought, another day is another day but before the morning could genuinely become strange. As Beth was getting ready for another day at work, dressing herself in front of the vanity Beth asked, “Where’s my watch?”. As soon as Beth uttered the words, “Where’s my watch?”, Beth developed a mental obsessive compulsion to look for her watch. Before leaving for work Beth could not help looking everywhere for her watch in her house. “Why don’t you just wear one of your other watches honey?” suggested Allan. “Your right. I’m sure it will turn up. I’ll wear the watch dad gave me” replied Beth, not even taking a moment to remember her dad. The only person who truly believed in her dreams and who also supported Beth emotionally and financially.

Beth’s mental obsessive compulsion to look for her watch did not stop since first realising that she lost her watch. Beth could not organise her affairs which meant Beth could not organise her dreams. Over time, Beth’s dreams fell apart. One afternoon in Beth’s office whilst Beth was drinking heavily and signing the papers to resolve her business. Allan, Beth’s husband phoned and left a message on her answering machine, “Beth, I’ve met someone else. It’s been too long Beth. For a while you’ve been somewhere else other than where you need to be. You’ve neglected your work, your marriage, your family and friendships. Goodbye Beth”.

Beth did not tell anyone about her mental obsessive compulsion to look for her expensive watch. Beth simply began to drink more and more ever since losing her expensive watch.

“I have to find my watch” groaned Beth at her desk drunk.

After Allan finished leaving his message on Beth’s work answering machine, the clock on Beth’s desk turned to 3:15 and stopped.

“I have to find my watch” repeated Beth drunk at her desk, looking through her desk drawers.

Finally, on top of a photo of her dad in Beth’s desk drawer, Beth found her compulsive obsession. Beth found her expensive watch.

Beth could not help but mockingly laugh at the trouble an obsession to find a watch had caused.

“Finders Keepers” whispered Beth as she held her expensive watch.

FK prides himself on his professionalism. He does not value shiny expensive watches. He values unworthy dreams.