Tainted Souls and Golden Lies

Chapter 2

Lucy Ferguson wasn't sure if her job at the vet's office was where she belonged. As much as she loved animals, it was hard for her to take part in the various activities that included them. She loved pets, and even had a dog of her own, but other people's pets were often nightmares.

"Lucy you're done for the day. Can you switch shifts with Megan? I know you could use the extra day off." She thought on her boss's question for a moment and agreed. She couldn't remember the last time she had a three-day weekend. And with that she left the clinic in hopes of a much-needed shower and a quick dinner before bed. She hoped Cyrus wouldn't mind skipping a walk for the day. She wasn't sure her feet could even make it home, but she started her trek anyway.

The day had been long. Two dogs came in with puncture wounds from being attacked by a stray dog. Both were in stable condition, but one required surgery and the other lost an ear. Then a cat came in to have a lump removed. That alone took two hours of her day. She was so ready to be home she didn't even notice the striking young man in front of her.

"Excuse me ma'am, could I speak to you for a moment?" Lucy surfaced from her daze to find a very attractive man smiling as she slowed to a stop.

"Oh, me? Sure, can I help you with anything?" she was too tired to feel threatened by this man. Her instincts were screaming at her to run away, but her body wasn't moving.

"I just need help with something and I heard you could help me." He had led her to a bench and she sat down willingly.

"Me? But how, I don't even know you?" the man didn't resemble anyone she had ever seen but his eyes captivated her. She wanted to stay and see if she could help. Everything had gone wrong in her life, so she often reached out when others were in need. Much like the man before her.

"My name is Lu. I really need some help and the only way I can explain is if you follow me." Now even her body was telling her following this man was not a good idea. But now her brain was so mesmerized by the words that came from his mouth. She couldn't say no, so she nodded. She expected him to get up and start walking but instead he grabbed her hand and they were suddenly in a dimly lit room with stained glass windows.

"Where am I?" she panicked, standing up and moving away from Lu. It was then that she became afraid. She had no idea where she was.

"Please don't be afraid. I promise I won't hurt you Lucy." She hadn't told him her name; her eyes grew wide and she backed up to the wall.

"Sir- oh I'm sorry I didn't know you had company. I'll come back later but do know you have another soul arriving in about an hour. That one you've had your eye on for a while." A monstrous creature spoke and left quickly as Lu sighed in frustration.

"Who, who are you?" Lucy asked.

Lu's expression changed from frustration to concern, he hadn't quite figured out how he was going to tell this girl who he really was. But he knew he had to.

"I am...the leader here." He stated. Lucy scanned his face carefully before replying,

"What is here?"

"Well most Christians would call it the opposite of Heaven." He mumbled.

"So, Hell? Wait, you're Satan??" she gasped but didn't move. She couldn't believe what was happening to her.

"I really do hate that name. I go by Lucifer, you can call me Lu." his eyes found hers and held their gaze until her brow wrinkled up in confusion again.

"But you're...evil." She seemed to have relaxed slightly since they had arrived. Her blue eyes shown in curiosity more than fear.

"Are you religious Lucy?" the question was so simple, yet Lucy wasn't sure of the answer. Of course, she believed in God. For much of her childhood she attended church with her parents and sister. But she wasn't sure if she'd call herself the religious type.

"By your sudden silence, I'd take it that you're not. So, you'd believe me if I said I wasn't what the Bible portrayed me as?" Lu watched her eyes look at him from across the small space between them that was his desk. She blinked for a moment before thinking of what to say.

"What do you mean? Are you not Lucifer?" Lu watched Lucy's shoulders finally relax. Her eyes flickering to the chair next to his desk.

"Where are my manners? Please take a seat. You've been on your feet all day." He pushed his chair over to her, and after contemplating for a moment she took it.

"Okay," She sighed, "How can I help?"