Lifted (346 hits)
Category: UberMadness! EntryRating: 1 on 2 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Avals (View user info) at 2005-07-18 06:09:41 EDT
This post was an official UberMadness! entry. Click here to view the original matchup.
"Hold the lift! Hold the lift!"
The stranger inside the elevator held out his elaborately adorned walking stick - obviously meant more for show than for actual utility - in order to prevent the lift doors from closing.
"Going up?" He asked with a slight smile on his face, which James failed to find at all inviting at the moment. He entered the lift wordlessly, his clothes a mess and his face bearing an expression of sheer misery. The lift doors closed, and it began slowly ascending to the higher floors of the hospital.
"If you don't mind me asking, is everything alright?" The stranger seemed genuinely concerned, but at the same time his voice grated on James's frayed nerves.
"I'll manage." James responded testily. "And I do mind you asking."
"I beg your pardon. You just seem rather upset."
James continued to stare silently at the floor indicators, which seemed to be changing much more slowly than usual. A few moments went by in silence.
"He's dead." James figured he needed to tell it to someone before he faced his wife, who was waiting on the sixth floor of the hospital.
"Your son?" The stranger asked quietly.
"Yeah. I just got the call twenty minutes ago."
"I'm sorry." The stranger's tone of voice seemed to strangely resonate with the way James felt.
"I'm Morgen, by the way. Morgen Stern."
James turned his head to look at the man next to him. Mr. Stern had a thick beard that culminated in a slightly pointed edge. Five longish fingers, each ending in a carefully manicured long fingernail, gripped firmly at his intricately designed walking stick.
"James."
Stern gazed downwards momentarily. "How did it happen?"
"Drunk driver ran a red light and sideswiped him. The prick came out with only a couple of stitches."
"It's a raw deal, the way those kinds of people always seem to come out on top. That guy should be dead." Stern sounded as angry as James was himself.
"Yes. Yes, he should be."
"Tell me, are you a religious man, James?"
"Moderately." James pondered the fact that he probably wouldn't be attending church after today.
Stern seemed lost in thought for a brief moment. "Myself, I don't talk to God anymore for exactly that reason. He's not very good with doing justice, is he?"
"No, I suppose he isn't."
"I've got some experience in the field," Stern added, "and I'm afraid the courts probably won't give that man the punishment he deserves, either." He paused momentarily.
"The way I see it, if you want justice done, you have to do it yourself."
"Oh I've thought about it." James responded. "I'd do anything to get my hands on that guy. To ... to make sure he knew what he'd done to my son; but they wouldn't even give me his name."
"I can help you get even." Stern offered.
"For a price."
"You can? How?" James was unable to hold back, and he was now yelling.
"Whatever it takes! However much you want! Just give me five minutes with that guy! Let me get him for what he's done to my son!"
"I'm not certain you have carefully considered what you are saying." Stern warned.
"My son deserves justice! Name your price!" James cried out.
Stern looked James up and down carefully.
"Your soul." The man in front of him growled as much as said.
James recoiled, though he couldn't tell whether it was in surprise or in terror. "My soul?"
"Your soul." Stern repeated. "You have disowned God anyway; he will not save your soul. Is it not a small enough price to pay for justice?"
James looked with fear at the man standing in front of him, for a moment debating his next move.
"But justice will be done?"
Stern smiled, revealing a long row of white, razor sharp teeth, and gave a single nod.
"Give me your hand." He commanded.
James held out his hand, and Stern shook it.
"You have made a deal with Mephistopheles." He hissed. "The deal is binding. Remember that name, for I will give you what you desire most, and in due time, I will also come to collect what is mine."
One of his fingernails nicked James's hand, and a single drop of blood dripped down and hit the Devil's walking stick, sliding down the contours of its lavishly ornamented surface. The elevator lurched up with a jolt, and lifted them both upwards at an incredible speed until coming to a sudden halt on the floor to which James was headed. He stumbled outside, and turned to look at the elevator's doors as the lift made its way down to the hospital's basement floor. In the distance a sudden scream could be heard, as if a thousand tormented souls cried out at once, and then silence again.
User Reviews
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-10-28 09:24:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I thought this was a bit weak and hackneyed to be honest.
Submitted by Average_Dan (user info) at 2005-10-28 08:57:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I read this during Ubermadness, too bad my vote didn't count.
Submitted by Avals (user info) at 2005-10-28 08:45:19 (#)
Ranking: 2
I bet average Dan has a below-average cock.
Mmm... Cock.
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Unfortunately, it's true.
*cries emu tears*