Short Story Fiction
The Devil's Revenge
Turning down the offer was one thing, but telling him to go fuck himself was just a bad idea.
“Who the hell could that be at this late hour,” he thought. He walked over to open the door thinking it might be the cleaning woman. He was surprised to see it wasn’t. It was an older man. He wore a long dark trench coat and a large black fedora. His head was down. The brim of his hat shaded most of his face.
Damon Turley sat behind his desk. He had just finished his work for the day and was now ready to relax. He walked over to his bar, dropped a couple of ice cubes into a glass and pulled a bottle of Jameson Irish whiskey from the shelf. He poured himself a generous amount and walked across his office to a bank of large windows overlooking the city. The night view was fantastic from his 60th floor vantage point.
As he stood gazing out at the scene he thought to himself, “I’m living an exceptional life. I don’t want it to ever end.”
He had no sooner finished the thought when there was a knock on his office door.
“Who the hell could that be at this late hour,” he thought. He walked over to open the door thinking it might be the cleaning woman. He was surprised to see it wasn’t. It was an older man. He wore a long dark trench coat and a large black fedora. His head was down. The brim of his hat shaded most of his face.
The man looked up. His eyes were dark and his gaze sent a cold chill down Damon’s spine.
Damon didn’t recognize the man. “Who are you and how did you get past the security guard?” He asked.
The stranger didn’t answer. “May I come in?” He didn’t wait for a reply. He walked past Damon and into the office.
Damon felt compelled by some unknown force to allow him into his office.
The stranger gazed about the room as he walked over to the windows to take in the view. “Beautiful view. I can see why you never want this to end.”
“Pardon me?” replied Damon.
“You said you never wanted it to end. Your exceptional life that is.”
“When did I say that?”
“Well, you thought it, not more than five minutes ago did you not?”
Damon didn’t answer the question. “Who are you?”
“I’ve been watching you. For years I’ve watched you move up the corporate ladder. You have an unforgiving way about yourself.”
“It’s a tough business. You have to be,” replied Damon.
“I’ve watched you destroy people along the way. You’re ruthless.”
“Like I said. It’s a tough business.”
“You’ve made an enormous amount of money as you slashed and gutted lesser people and businesses that got in your way.”
“Money is my goal. If you’re not willing to take a beating you shouldn’t play the game.”
“And you play the game very well.”
“I’m good at what I love. Is that a crime?”
The stranger didn’t immediately reply. He turned and looked directly at Damon. His gaze was mesmerizing and Damon couldn’t look away.
“The only crime I see is you dying.”
Damon was startled and took the reply as a threat. He walked over to his desk and retrieved a handgun from the drawer. “Get out of my office before I put a bullet in you.”
The stranger laughed. It was sinister and it made the hair on the back of Damon’s neck stand up.
“Bullets won’t stop this meeting. You want to live forever and I’m here to make that happen… but only if you really want it.”
“Who the HELL are you???”
“You’re catching on,” replied the stranger. “Look at it this way. You’re life at this point has leaned heavily toward the darker side. Do you know what the seven deadly sins are?”
“I’ve heard of them.”
The stranger began to recite them. “Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride. You’re a standout when it comes to most of these. Some would think you’re horrible. I’m actually rather proud of you.
Suddenly the stranger disappeared right before Damon’s eyes.
“I’m not gone. I’m never gone,” came a voice from behind.
Damon whirled around to see the stranger sitting in his desk chair with his feet up on the desk. His trench coat and hat were gone revealing an expensive black suit with a flaming red handkerchief in the breast pocket. His hair was jet black and greased back. Looking into his eyes were like looking into a very deep and dark abyss.
Damon reacted by pulling the trigger of the gun he was holding. It misfired. He tried it again. Misfire.
“I told you bullets wouldn’t stop this meeting. So here’s the deal. I’ll give you everlasting life. I’ll make you owner of this company and riches beyond your wildest dreams.”
“What do you want in return?” asked Damon.
“Well it’s simple. I want your soul.”
The offer set Damon back on his heels. “What! My soul? Go fuck yourself. I want no part of this deal. Get the hell out of my office.”
“That’s your choice,” replied the stranger. And with that he disappeared.
~~~~
Two days later Damon was in a serious car accident. He lay in a hospital bed after major back surgery.
Two weeks passed. Damon was awake and his Dr. was with him.
“Do you understand what I’m telling you. You broke your neck. You’re lucky to be alive.”
“I’m a fucking quadriplegic. How in the HELL is that lucky? Get out of here and leave me alone.”
Just as the Dr. left the room someone entered. Damon couldn’t turn his head to see who it was. Only when whoever it was stood directly over him did he recognize the stranger from his office.
“Hey there Damon. Just thought I’d come by and check on you. I here you broke your neck. Too bad. Say, no hard feelings about the other night when you kicked me out of your office and told me to go fuck myself. In fact, I’ve decided to grant you your wish anyhow. I’ve decided to give you that eternal life offer after all. No strings attached. Enjoy it."
With that, the stranger disappeared.
© Copyright 2023 by Scott A. Gese All Rights Reserved.
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