Me and That Demon

My staff is broken. Not cracked. Not bent. Just... snapped in two like a pencil someone sat on. I hold the pieces and sigh. "Well, that's not very helpful." Rosie can fix it. She's great at repairing things, and she never minds when I show up with something a little... complicated. I plan to go to see her soon. But first, I have a problem. Vox. Even though he lost our last fight, he's still bothering Charlie. And Charlie is one of the kindest people I know. She doesn't deserve someone like Vox following her around and causing trouble. So, I decide to make a deal with him — one that will keep her safe. "Vox!" I called.

Lights throughout that area of the pentagram flicker, then he appears with a grin that would light up all of hell. "Alastor! Didn't expect you back so soon." He was obviously excited to see the radio demon because if there was anything important that Alastor had to say to him he would come calling.

"Well, here I am," I announce, keeping my charming demeanor. "I want to make a deal." I spin my broken staff and hold it behind my back.

His screen-face lights up. "Oh really? And what do I get?" He was intrigued with the words Alastor is spitting out of his mouth.

I take a steady breath. What I'm about to say is important. "You leave Charlie alone," I start talking. "Completely."

"And in exchange?" he asks immediately, ready for an answer.

I tap my chest where my heart is, I exhale preparing for the words I'm going to say to my enemy. "You get my soul."

He freezes and his breath hitches like someone pressed pause on him. "Your soul? You'd give that up?"

"Yes," I say. "If it means Charlie is safe and you stop causing trouble for her."

The picture box studies me for a moment, surprised. Then he reaches out his hand. "If this is really what you want," he says, "I accept." he bites his lips (or screen I should say) as if he couldn't keep his inner child in.

I do the same and reach my hand out grabbing the cold metallic hand. A warm light glows between us — not scary, not painful, just bright — and then it fades.

Vox holds the glowing shape in his hands carefully. My soul. It looks small but important, like a special light in a jar. "So," he says, "we have a deal."

I nod. "Yes, we do." Charlie will be safe now. And even though I feel a tiny bit emptier inside, I don't regret my choice. Because protecting a friend is something worth giving up a lot for.