WSA "Twisted" A Short Story

I'm a simple creature. I make deals with humans, getting them to sign their souls away for simple pleasures like money, power, and love. As someone who was raised in the underworld, hardened by centuries of torture, you learn that it's best not take pity on anyone, or anything.

So why is it that I, a demon, find myself being summoned by a twelve year old human girl?

I look around the dark room, my eyes quickly adjusting to the lighting. I look over at the bright pink bed, finding the one who summoned me hidden under piles of bed covers. I walk over to the bed, pulling the sheets off of the small human girl.

She screams. "Please don't hurt me, mommy! Please, I'm sorry!" Her eyes are squeezed shut, not daring to look up.

My eyes soften and I take my human form, putting a hand on her cheek. "Do not worry my child, for it is only I."

She tentatively opens her eyes, immediately jumping up when she sees me. "Asta!" She turns on the lamp beside her, standing on her bed and wrapping her arms around me.

Asta is short for Astaroth, which she found too long and too hard to pronounce, so she decided to give me a nickname.

I chuckle at her use of the nickname, allowing her to show affection in the form of what humans call a hug. As much as I loathe it, I hold her against me, putting my hand on her head delicately. I find that most humans consider this action to be soothing.

I gently push her back, holding onto her shoulders. "Why did you summon me, child?"

Almost on cue, I hear the entryway door upstairs open and slam shut, heavy footsteps stomping above.

"I'm scared," she mumbles, burying her head into my shoulder. I look over at the alarm clock beside her bed, the time reading three o'clock in the morning.

A mother leaving her young daughter home alone to fend for herself is absolutely despicable, but it's nothing compared to what she does when she gets home, almost always intoxicated.

I bring my finger to my lips, effectively shushing the girl. I listen closely, waiting to hear the sound of pounding footsteps descending the stairs. I motion for the girl to hide under the bed, squeezing into the small space beside her.

"I am going to change into my native form, please do not open your eyes until I tell you to. I do not wish to scare you, my child," I whisper, sliding my arm out from under the bed and turning the lamp off, my arm stretching longer than what humans consider possible.

She nods her head and closes her eyes, holding on to a small stuffed bear she brought with her. I cast a shadow on us, this way if someone were to look under the bed, all they would see is darkness.

I hear the sound of drunken mumbling from across the hall, and I shift my body to fit under the bed, my demonic form much larger than the small space I'm in.

I hear the woman stumble into the door, suddenly throwing it open. The smell of human intoxication invades my senses, making me feel sick. She slurs a string of curses, walking over the bed and throwing the covers on the ground.

When she sees that the bed is empty, she curses once more, setting what I assume to be a bottle of alcohol down on the nightstand.

She walks away from the bed, throwing open the closet doors, noisily rummaging through the closet.

"Cora," she drawls, the end coming out as a slur. "Where are you?" She stumbles back, leaning on the wall for support.

She walks over to the bed and drops to her knees, reaching into the small space. I allow her to find my arm, and she starts to pull me out.

"Found you, Bi-" I cut off her next words by unfolding to my full 8 foot height. Her eyes widen, and I can tell my presence has sobered her. She takes a step back, her mouth agape.

I wrap my calloused fingers around her throat, my horns taking shape above my head. "If you ever even think about touching this girl again, I will damn your soul to Hell for all eternity. And, trust me when I say, I will take GREAT pleasure in making sure you regret ever being born."

A scream trapped in the back of her throat, the woman runs out of the room, soiling herself.

I calm myself, morphing into my human form for Cora's sake. I reach under the bed, taking her hand in mine and gently pulling her out. "It is alright, you may come out now."

She stands up and I notice tears in her eyes. "What is wrong, my child? Are you hurt?" I wipe her fallen tears off of her cheek, cradling her face in my palm.

"No I just, I just wanted to say thank you, Asta. I-I don't know what would've happened if you weren't here." She wraps her arms around my waist, squeezing me as tight as she can.

"Please do not cry. I promise, I will always be here when you need me. But my work here is finished, and I'm afraid I must go and continue my duties." She lets go of my waist, and I rustle the hair on her head gently, tucking her into bed. "Sleep well, my child."

I turn off the lamp by her bedside, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Shutting her bedroom door, I leave with a strange warmth spreading through me, staying with me the rest of the night.

FIN