Souls - VI

Lucifer isn’t really what you’d expect out of a prince of darkness, no horns, no cloven hooves, nary a pitchfork in sight. No, Lucifer looked good and he knew it. For one thing, he wore the hell out of a pinstripe suit. I mean we’ve all seen the occasional well-tailored suit, but this was something else. His clothes seemed to move with him, accenting and caressing the beauty of his shape.

His face was something you couldn’t look at for more than a few moments without blushing, your body just doesn’t know how to react to that much beauty. His eyes, though, are what really got me. I’m not sure I had ever maintained eye contact with him. Even if I tried, the energy that seemed to blast out of them would force my eyes to his shoulder or the wall behind him. My point is this: the devil is really well put together.

When I enter the office I know what to do, I keep my head down, sit in the oversized visitor chair, and set my briefcase of souls on the desk. That is all that is expected of me. Next, he will speak to me. The sweetness of his voice will make my heart feel like it will explode. I will nod, trying to hold in my overwhelmed tears, take the list of my next targets and leave. 

This is our sermon.

I hold up my part of the sermon. I am in the oversized chair, head bowed in reverence, waiting for his words. They aren’t coming. 

I glance up, just for a moment. He hasn’t even turned to me yet, he’s still staring out over the city from his window. I wait. I can do nothing else. 

He turns to face me, my face quickly shifts back downwards. I can hear him opening the case and peering in.

“Good, good.”

My heart throbs quickly.

It’s now time for my next list. But it isn’t coming, only silence. 

I cheat a glance upwards, he’s looking out the window again. I scan the desk, no list of targets.

“The day I found you is one of my favorite days.” The honey of his voice flowed through the room, I gripped the chair in an attempt to not completely lose it.

“I’ve always found the faithful who suddenly find themselves faithless compelling, they are adorably tender. And you were the best of them.”

Beads of sweat form on my forehead, full sweat droplets running down the valley of my spine.

“But you have faith now, yes?”

“Y..Ye…Yes.” I force this word out as my eyes burn and bulge, trying to leave my body.

“Good, good, nihilism doesn’t really become us.”

I can’t keep quivering like this, my body won’t take much more. Where is the list?”

“I only have one name for you today, but it is a name of the utmost importance. I give it to you because I trust you.”

I’m growing faint.

“The name is one you’re probably familiar with.”

Black stars begin to float in front of my eyes.

“His name is Jesus Christ.”

I am gone.