Liisa
Page 20
“Let me out of this blinkity blank thing,” the devil cursed. “I’ll get you for this.”
“How can you do anything to me when I’m the only one that can get the chair to cease? Your head’s gonna get mighty sore. Why it might even burst.” Old Judd was laughing fit to kill. I think it’s time to make another deal.”
“I’d be crazy to make any more deals with the likes of you,” the devil’s voice quivered.
“Really? You like rocking like that, huh?”
“What do you want?” The devil’s voice was shaking. His eyes were blazing red and smoke began to come out of his ears. I want you to let me come to Hell with you after I die.”
“You promised you wouldn’t wish for that.”
“Oh, but I didn’t use one of my three wishes, which is what I promised. We’re just talking. I’ll make the rocker let you go if you promise to let me come and live with you.”
“Okay! Okay! I got no choice.”
“That’s a relief,’ Old Judd laughed. “At least now I know I have somewhere to go. Okay rocker, you can stop now.”
“Yeah, but it’ll be hell for me,” the devil yelled as he ran out.
Three months later Old Judd was rubbing his hands in glee. He was making lots of money and doing well. I’m only forty-four. I could ask that pretty widow Markson to marry me. I’ll build a beautiful home on the next lot and offer her a better life than anyone else can offer around here. That way I’ll have someone to take care of me in my old age. She’s a pleasant person and will be good company. Might even have some children. She’s not yet thirty and would appreciate the good life I can give her.
The store suddenly shook as an angry devil appeared as tall as the ten feet ceiling.
“What th -” Old Judd stammered.
“Let’s go.”
“Go? Go where?”
“If I’ve gotta take you with me, might as well get it over with.”
“Go with you! But I’m not ready to go. I’m too young. I’m making good money and I’m planning on getting married and living a long time.” Old Judd’s eyes were rolling with fear.
“You may have gotten the best of me in your deals, but I own your soul and I’m the one who decides when it’s your time to go. When you sell your soul to the devil, you no longer have a say in your life.” The devil smirked at the thoroughly frightened Judd.
“Well, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to go with you,” Judd shrieked.
“Too late. You’ve sold your soul and there’s no turning back.”
“But - but what will happen to my store? And all my money and property?”
“You have a cousin who will inherit. She’s hard-working and married to a good, honest hard-working man. They have three adorable, well-behaved children. They need the income and will build the beautiful house you’ve planned. I’ll not be able to strike a deal with them because they’re promised to HIM.” He spat and pointed up.
The devil grabbed Old Judd’s wrist and yanked him hard. Customers, starting to enter the store, heard a loud, agonizing cry. Hurrying in they found Judd’s body on the floor. “What happened to Old Judd?” a woman asked.
“I don’t know. Could be his heart but he ain’t that old,” a man answered.
“Phew. What is that awful odor? Smells like sulfur burning.”
None of them noticed the smoky, foul-smelling things that drifted through the floor and disappeared.
The End