This story's structure is odd. My ENG class wanted a story that started in the heat of an argument or some form of ordeal. The only character development is what you see in the heat of the moment. This was an easy piece that has taken little effort so please feel free to judge hard. Though I will reiterate I'm aware of my poor punctuation and grammar.
King of the Riversticks
by Hardy
"OWWW! WHAT THE HELL"
"Now you're starting to get it, So
what say you Benjamin, you up for a trade?"
Everything
seemed so unreal but the searing pain in my cheek told me I was awake and
alive. It was dark but the man of flames light up the crevasse.
"What kind of a trade?"
"I will give you an extra 20 years of
life but in return after 20 years I get your soul"
I wasn't
surprised by his offer though being a Christian man it felt wrong to even
entertain the idea. Ever since I was a boy I have been going to the same church,
I even teach a Sunday school class where my children learn about lord.
"Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's an Angel"
I thought
"Sorry Benjamin, I'm no angel"
"So you know what I'm thinking?"
He had this
disgusting smirk on his face... I knew who he was now, the man who has always
tried to pull me from my righteous ways... Satan.
"I don't have all day ya know" He
yelled
"So if I give you my soul does that
mean I go to hell when I die?"
His grin
slowly disappeared as his expression became stern. It was obvious he was here
for business.
"Well of course it does boy but
imagine all the good you can do with that 20 years and all I want in return...
is your soul"
Despite my
faith I had to consider my family. We were struggling as it was to get by and
without my income life would be hard. I needed time to think.
"I'll tell ya what Benjamin. I have
another appointment, I'll be back in 5 min and if you don't have a decision by
then.. .Deals off"
He
disappeared in a ball of fire. Everything was dark and quit. All I could hear
is the rain falling, hitting the rocks and trees above me. The water slowly
rising to my waist.
"My family my faith my life... What
kind of a test is this?... Please god I don't know what to do"
It was
exactly 5 min when Satan returned. I hated how punctual he was.
"So Benjamin, What have you
decided?"
It really
didn't matter. No matter what decision I made it felt wrong. So I went with my
gut.
" I have decided..."
Satan
seemed rather eager to my answer, a reaction I don't believe he intended to
give away. Maybe I have more leverage then I originally thought. I decided to
run with it.
"Well you know I'm not too sure if 20
is enough."
Satan did
not like this response at all. He became more engulfed in flames. A raging fire
which seemed to coincide with his emotions.
"Boy I don't think you understand your
situation. You need to make a decision right now!"
I was
right, for whatever reason he needed my soul and I intended to use that to my
advantage.
"I want feeling back in my legs and a
burger, then I will continue this negotiation" I said with a smirk
Satan was
furious but after a brief moment of silence I felt my legs again and a burger
popped into my lap. I ate that soggy burger and felt the warmth in my legs
again. I was feeling good.
"So can we finish this" Satan
murmured
I stood up
for the first time in 48hrs. With energy pulsing though me I claimed.
"I have beaten you with my faith in God.
I have regained my feeling and energy and now I will climb out of this crevasse
and return to my family as a pure Christian man.
The devil
was not as enraged as I had thought he would be. He reluctantly threw his arms
in the air admitting defeat and blew away in a huge ball of fire. I climbed out
of the crevasse and began walking. After one mile I saw my wife. I ran to her,
held her tight, we were so happy. As we
were driving home I asked her how she found me so deep in the woods. She was
quite for a moment then said.
"I made a deal with the devil"
"END"
