Dealin' With The Devil

Goopy Le Grande

Well hello there! What're you doing in this part here of the forest? A curious folk like yourself is gonna run into trouble around here. But lucky for you, I have graced you with my fortunate presence. What on earth were you looking for, any way? 

What? You were looking for me? We-hell, how can I help you? 

The devil? What of 'em? Oh-ho no, that is a long story. One I would rather not tell. No, not even with those eyes. 

No, matter how many times you ask, the answer will always be the same. Why are you even trying so hard, anyway? 

...you're not gonna leave me alone 'til I spill, huh? 

Alright, alright. So, here's the big ol' story. Once upon a time, I wasn't so grande. Hell, I was a runt, barely making it. Then, he showed up. Shady, tall man with horns, walking as if he didn't have a care in the world. Now, a fella like him stood out clear as day in a place like Inkwell. So when I saw him for the first time, I just couldn't help but stare. 

Then he saw me. I did the first thing I knew how to do; hide. Well, of course I ran before hiding, being the smart man I am, but that unfortunately led me bumped straight into my, shall we say, colleagues. 

"Hey! Who did that!", one of 'em shouted. I tried hushing him, but just got pushed. "So, you like pushing people around, eh? Well, let's see how you like THIS!", he knocked me to the ground and started kickin' me. I did everything in my power not to cry, to take the hits like a man would, but once his friends started joining the fun, things got a little difficult. 

"Now, now. Lay off 'em, why don't ya?", a voice called from above us. It was the devil, but I didn't know it at the time. But seeing as how he was bigger than the group combined, they listened up and left me alone. "Now scat!" They ran in every-which way like a buncha bugs in the light. 

"Well, now that that's been settled.", the man looked towards me. His voice was rough, rugged. I looked up at him, not recognizing the man. "Th-thank you sir. Is there any way I can repay you?" "Nah, I sho- Well, there is one.", he paused, sickly grinning at me. "Howzabout you and I make a little deal?" 

"A-A deal?" "Yes, I need a little something from you. I really shouldn't elaborate, but you won't even miss it. And in return, I'll make sure that those, 'incidents' won't happen again. Got it?" 

Now, any normal person would have stopped to reconsider, to ask some more questions about who he was, or to elaborate on what he wanted. It would be the most logical, reasonable route to take in such a situation. My excuse?

I was desperate. 

"You got a deal!", I nodded. Just like magic, the parchment was in front of me. I signed eagerly, desperate to get away from all that bullying, after so many years. Then, as soon as I signed, he laughed boasting, "One more soul!" Immediately realizing what I had done, I grabbed the parchment and fleed for my life. 

But something started happening, soon as I signed that paper. I grew, in both size and strength as I ran. I was breaking a deal, I know, but he was taking the only thing I had going for me. At least, until then. 

By the time I had found my spot, he had given up on chasing me. I finished growing, collecting my thoughts. By the time my colleagues found me, they were scared to death. Easy to understand why.

In my home, biggest was best, and was ultimately put in charge. And, well, I was certainly the biggest around. And from that day, I run the place, and I'll never let anyone take that away from me! 

So don't even try!