THE MOMENT
"But, you don't look like the devil. And your name...," Randy shook his head as a result of the confusion. The heavy stranger in his home had already proven access to world-changing magical powers and yet, he looked more like an overweight human than a demon from hell. He was even wearing glasses with no sign of horns sprouting from his head. The stranger entered the living from a black portal with a wrinkled button-up shirt and sagging blue jeans. As Randy began to loudly question the man, he summoned skeletons. They emerged from new portals all around them and surrounded the living room. It was enough to get Randy to listen, and fortunately, that was all that Chuck wanted.
"Don't get caught up on the details," Chuck shrugged. "There is no 'THE DEVIL', it's a designation, kind of like a title. It could even be likened to a regional position on a career path. Hell is mostly staffed by demons; but they're not the only ones."
"How evil were you? It must've been pretty bad to get involved...," Randy asked. He wanted to not trust the stranger as much as he did. At the same time, his situation needed a miracle and even a Hellish one would do. Chuck sighed heavily and glanced around the living room. He was tired of standing and let himself plop on the couch, uninvited. As he did, faint laughter whispered in his ears; Randy couldn't hear it.
"You're still making assumptions and it's just slowing everything down. I'm not here from Hell, I'm here on my own. But, I'm A devil and that does enable me to make deals like this," he said. "That's why I don't want your soul, I got nothing to do with it."
"Why are you helping me so... cheaply?" Randy asked. He had just sat down for a moment to try and nap when Chuck walked in. It was his wife's turn at the hospital with the twins and he was going to try and get some rest before going to work. He never would have thought to make a deal with a devil. But, if Chuck delivered, he could sleep soundly that night, and next to his wife finally. It'd been years.
"Ohmygod...," Chuck grumbled with obvious annoyance. Randy still couldn't hear it, but the laughter grew louder and more mirthful in Chuck's ears. "It's not even about you, you're just the random schmuck that won. Tons of people need something and I let the universe pick where to put me. In your crappy little home," Chuck gestured at the cozy interior. It may not have been large but, Randy and his wife did what they could to keep it tidy. One day their boys would come home and it was important that the house was always clean. Plus, it helped keep their mind occupied, when they weren't working or sleeping.
"And honestly, I can just try again. This is getting too involved already...," Chuck stood up, slowly. It was a bluff. The last thing he wanted was to have to go through the whole rigamarole of introducing himself and demonstrating 'his powers' again. Just because she was laughing in his ears didn't mean Ballisea would be willing to help out with another demo.
"No, wait! Please!" Randy stopped him and Chuck relaxed instantly with a smile. "I'm sorry but, it's just kind of hard to believe. You're offering to cure my kids and set us up for life all for.....," he paused and shook his head. "I want to make a deal; but, you have to understand my skepticism...,"
'No, I don't," Chuck grinned. "My offer is my offer. A plain, simple transaction. You're the one with all the hangups and questions; that's on you. And really, the only question you need an answer to is, what would it be worth to you?" he laughed with quiet smugness. "Here, I thought the answer would be 'everything', including the risk."
"Yes, it is," Randy nodded. He'd had too many questions clouding his mind. Chuck's clarification helped make the decision much easier. "Yes, I want to accept the deal."
"Great! Sign here please," Chuck was empty-handed when he started the motion, but a clipboard appeared in his hand by the time he presented it to Randy. It was a solid black clipboard loaded with a white sheet and a black and gold pen. More magical proof of his unnatural powers. Randy signed his name and prayed for the best.
"That'll be $5 please," Chuck held his hand out. Never in his life had Randy put so much hope into a $5 bill but he closed his eyes, held his breath, and handed over the money.
"Thanks!" Chuck smiled and a black portal opened next to him, like the one he came through. "Pleasure doing business, I'll see you around," he took a step but Randy moved around to block him.
"Wait! That's it!? Where are my boys?" Chuck laughed and shook his head.
"Dude, you paid me $5, how instant do you want it? The doctor's talking to your wife right now, and she'll call you in a bit. Keep your pants on. And, don't forget to buy a lottery ticket; you still gotta put in some effort."
"Wait, what did you want my change for if you can do that?" The thought caught up to him late as he looked for ways to stall. He still mostly believed Chuck; but, he was hoping to keep him there long enough to hear from his wife.
"Uggghghh," Chuck grumbled again and shook his head. "You're assuming things again," he made a point to bring the bill up and tear it in half, then both halves disintegrated into black dust. "I don't care about the money, it's the transaction. I'm testing stuff, it's got nothing to do with you, your money, or your family. You just happened to be at the right place and right time." As he answered, Randy's cell phone rang. He checked it.
"It's her...," he nodded.
"Duh. I'm leaving," Chuck shoved past Randy, and the man let him go to answer the phone.
Chuck left the ringing behind and emerged in a new, dark place. A tall, pale woman with bone-white horns floated in front of him.
"That worked! That totally worked!" he smiled at her. "For the next one-,"
"Don't bother explaining it. You'll continue without me," Ballisea said.
"What? What do you mean?" he asked.
"I've helped you conquer your Earth and introduced you to the greater game, and now you hold no interest for me."
"Wh.. what does that mean?" he asked with a tremble in his voice. "You're leaving me?" he hoped. If she was bored of him, the best outcome would be her leaving him in peace; but, the worst outcome was somehow more likely.
"Yes," she nodded. "You had value, perhaps you'll do so again in the future...," she shrugged.
"Oh, okay..., thank you," Chuck nodded. He wasn't expecting it; but, neither was he going to insist that the Demon Queen stay by his side. He'd borrowed enough of her power to know she could end him with an idle thought. "It's been fun, right?" he asked. "Entertaining?"
"You're obnoxious, rude, dim, and above all else selfish....," Ballisea giggled as the blackness faded away and Chuck found himself in a new land. ".... yes. It's been entertaining."