A Taste Of The Afterlife

Eleven: The Dream

Once taking me to the kitchen, Arawn disappears. I thought he had left me in an empty room at first but I spot the devil occupying a bar stool with his head on the counter. I quietly approach him thinking he might have fallen asleep but his eyes are wide open and he smiles once I'm in frame.

"I was sure it would take Arawn longer to get you to come back."

"I never left.." I climbed onto the stool next to him. Since he hadn't lifted his head, I copied him. The marbled counter cooled my hot face. ".. so.. how did it go with Veris?"

"He wants to expand his shop. I talked him into moving into a bigger building instead since the shops around him are still in business."

I perk up at this, recalling my suggestion. "..that's good.. Veris seems like he deserves a bigger shop."

He chuckles. "Why is that?"

".. He said some nice things to me outside before he left.. he seems like he had to go through a lot to get where he is so its only fair.."

"He did go through a lot. He owned a business before he passed so in exchange for being my slave for a certain amount of time, I let him set up his clothing store." He sets his hand on my head and begins rustling my hair. "He's by far the most ambitious slave I've ever had. It's a bit of a turn-off."

"Something turns you off? That's news to me.." Another chuckle. "I guess you're only into chains, whips, unfairly attractive boys, big breasts, and crying girls."

"..you aren't entirely wrong." He finally sits up so I follow suit. "Regardless, my slaves don't refect my type anyway since they chose to be one, I didn't necessarily choose them."

"..That doesn't make any sense. I thought you gave them the option."

"I did."

"So you must like them."

"You can like people who aren't your type. That's how you make friends."

"So you make friends by having them as sex slaves? That's bold."

He laughs and shakes his head. "I gave them the option because they deserved a little more than time in the pit. I don't recruit slaves because I need them but because they need me. As the devil, I can have anyone I want at any time." I frown at this. "You're an exception, of course."

The slave girl's words echoed in my head about them blatantly using him. "..So you're letting them use you?" he nods. ".. but you still use them?"

"A price to pay for living large in hell, my love. Now only if you followed their example~"

"No thanks. I like having my virginity."

"I like you having a virginity as well~" He pats my head again before getting off the stool, circling the counter. "Hungry? I could go for a burrito."

I was taken aback at the sudden change of subject. "What?

"A burrito. You know. The tortilla stuffed with meat and beans and cheese."

"I.. I guess.. but why?"

"I haven't eaten today and its finally catching up with me. That's why."

I wasn't really hungry but I accepted the offer anyway, recalling I hadn't eaten much myself. I watched him then take an armful of frozen packages from his freezer and toss them into a large microwave. Once punching in the buttons, he leans on the counter in front of me with a smile. It seemed innocent enough which made it odd. He doesn't say anything either and just seemed.. genuinely.. entertained? With just silence?