Lucro the King of Hell(Sequel to El Diablo)

Chapter 10 (Call me a Sinner)

"Your priest abducted you ma'm and was gonna use you to....I guess start a satanic ritual" I replied.

"Father Donovan he couldn't be. I....I was there with him on Sunday he seemed fine not possessed" The woman said.

"You really hit your head hard then" I replied.

"What do you mean" She asked.

"Today is Wednesday. Your telling me you don't remember anything from today or two days prior" I asked.

"No....I....I don't recall even coming here, where am I" She asked.

"In the basement of an old home. I'll get you to a hospital" I replied. I picked her up and walked up the stairs. I called an ambulance and they took her away. Just as the doors closed to the ambulance I snapped my fingers. The house behind me changed from an old dusty cottage to a modern business with the words Devil's deals. I turned to see a demon child standing next to the doorway. He held a small scroll. I walked toward him and he leaned off the wall. I motioned for him to come inside and we walked into the business. I waved my hand and the door shut. A chair moved and took me off my feet. A glass came off the shelf and landed in my hand. A bottle of whiskey poured into the glass. I took a long drink from the glass. The demon knelt before me. 

"Sire I have your contracts" He said.

"Get up and face me like a man, no need to kneel to me" I said.

"I am very sorry my king" He said standing up. 

"No apology needed. Would you like a drink" I asked.

"Yes...no...yes.....no....I don't know" He said trembling in fear. 

"What is your name" I asked standing up. My shadow cascaded over him. 

"L.....l...oyd" He gulped. 

"Why are you afraid" I asked.

"I have never.........seeeee.....nnn.....you before and I......was lucifer's torture toy" Lloyd stuttered.

"You will not be tortured, in fact you will be rewarded for bringing me the list. Let me pour you a drink. I want to hear about how business is running down south" I said grabbing a glass. I poured some whiskey and handed the glass to him. Taking a drink from the glass Lloyd coughed and set it down.

"Too strong for you" I asked.

"No sir" He replied muffling his coughs. I chuckled as he asked another question.

"What is this place" He asked. 

"Oh I'm glad you asked because it kinda involves you" I smiled.

"It does" He gulped and trembled.

"Nothing bad Lloyd, this is the first store or building of many that will be for deals with the devil. How it works is you come in to the store, a demon waits for you at a table. You sit down and they will ask what would you like today, what is your favor. The customer would reply and we would name our price. Maybe we will need a favor later in time or we take their soul when the contract is up. It is also possible that we may do both, but we tell them that up front" I said enthusiastically.

"So you made the crossroads business proper and monopolized it. This idea will give us more revenue, but how does this involve me" Lloyd asked.

"I want you to run the first store, you would be the boss of this establishment. Not over the whole thing that would be me and Dormi's job, but this store would be yours. Doesn't that sound lovely" I asked drinking from my glass. 

"I won't let you down my lord, thank you thank you" Lloyd said. 

"I know you won't, thank you for the list. Now get back to Hell and tell Dormi the news" I said snapping my fingers. Lloyd vanished and I opened the scroll. The names were Lou Burke, 28, a shop owner in Covington Kentucky, the soul of the damned. Charlie Nickel, 30, a factory worker out of Southern Idaho, the soul of the forgiven. Chelsea Scott, 26, a prostitute in Northern Idaho, the soul of a sinner. Benjamin Crink, 41, Bartender in Columbus Ohio, soul of a saint. Roger Carton, 21, a priest from Boone Kentucky, soul of a priest. I rolled up the scroll and stuffed it in one of my pockets. I waited for the clock to strike 9. Once the clock hit 9 I left the business. I stepped outside and the building filled up with Demons. I smiled and put on my fedora. I walked along the street to the Wounded Stallion. I heard footsteps behind me. I turned a corner and they continued. I turned to see a man in a black mask with a knife. He pinned me against a wall and put the knife to my throat. His eyes flashed blue. "An angel" I muttered.