I, Devil (a love story)

Chapter 46: Azazel

The Devil Apology and Resource Center was beautiful. I modeled the call center after my model train set aesthetic. There were large, arched windows overlooking a never ending orange sunset. There were botanical plants in the corner. The entire office was clean, whimsical, and professional. I built a train-track to roam around the perimeter of the office. A small toy train merrily whistled along. I was ready to take any call-- or rather prayers-- sent towards the Devil's direction.

If a human wanted someone specific, like Adramelech for money, then those prayers were lost and sent his way. I couldn't help that. Usually, most of my calls were about love and relationships. What struck me as strange was the push back I was receiving from humans calling me. They did not want an apology. They wanted me to keep being bad. I pressed onward. I told my minions answering the phone that it would take time to produce change.

I walked the center aisle of the Apology and Resource Center like a mother hen observing her chicks. I wanted to make sure the facility was running smoothly before inviting Wendy over. It was rough. I could tell it was rough. I heard my minions on the phone trying to explain to people that Hell was pretty much gone and that they were on their own when they died. I wasn't going to be presiding over their torture and I was sorry, so sorry. Oof. It was going to be quite a Monday at the office.

I knew I was also procrastinating. I was running from having to apologize and explain things to Wendy. I personally wronged her when I drowned her in the pool and had sexual relations with her knowing that Meresin seemed to have a crush on her. Seemed to-- as I saw them making out on the bleachers at a sports field. I didn't really ask if they were dating because I thought the concept of inter-species relationships rather stupid.

I took a deep breath and sighed. I straightened my suit and adjusted my cuff-links. I smoothed my copper hair back into a ponytail. Then, I checked my pocket-watch. I wanted to see were Wendy was. It was easiest to talk to people in their dreams. I wanted to set up a meeting. A date. I wanted to invite her consciousness into my new call center facility. I wanted to be the first to announce to her that the Devil Has Changed. I was a new man. My new thing was apologizing. It was the first step to being a little more like Raum.

Soon. Soon, said my watch. In present day reality, Wendy was getting ready for bed. As soon as she fell asleep, it would be easier to talk to her. Her consciousness would be a little more collected. She would be more pieced together as a full entity when she was asleep. I fidgeted as I waited. I felt super anxious. I always found it hard to wait on humans. I liked working in my time, not their's.

I walked around the call center a little. I observed my representatives working. I listened as people called in. It was never what they were expecting. They weren't expecting an apology. My 'customers' were left feeling strange and a little lost. They didn't expect the Devil to say they were sorry and hang up with literally no satisfaction at all. My little train set whistled merrily along the tracks and circled back around the office.

I felt Wendy enter into the spirit world. Her body was asleep, fully asleep. I summoned her into the Center for Apologies and straightened my white buttoned down shirt. I could feel myself sweating even though I didn't have any pores.

"Ugh," said Wendy as she suddenly appeared in the call center. She seemed disorientated. This wasn't the realm she was used to. Her dream body was a mix between her physical body and a fairy. She was small with huge eyes. She was a little more bold and pesky than her human self. I read her energy to find her in a good mood, although a little confused on where she was. She seemed out of place in the setting. "Where am I?" she outright asked me.

"Welcome to the Devil Apology and Resource Center!" I announced proudly.

"What?" she asked, dumbfounded. Wendy rubbed her head. She landed a little hard as I pulled her through the portal to arrive here. Not just anyone can walk into my call center. It required a special invitation. "The what and Resource Center?" she repeated, looking around.