[ WP ] Write a story where Satan crosses a deal .

`` JEFF!! DOOR FOR YOU!!!'' 
 
 The lights dim and my breath fogs for just a moment as the room fills with the spirit of complete evil. 
 
 I know exactly what's happened, and I know who's at the door. 
 
 My younger brother is holding the door open, about to shout for me again as I start down the stairs. He does n't look worried. Why would he? He does n't know the man in the tailored suit standing on our step is the Prince of Darkness. 
 
 I shove my brother to the side and open the door. 
 
 `` Hey!'' he grunts. `` Where have you been all day?'' 
 
 I ignore him. `` What do you want?'' I ask the tall, slim figure staring unblinking into my parents' house. 
 
 He preens for a moment. `` Oh, you know...'' His voice is low and smooth. `` I like to make a courtesy call after a transaction is complete.'' He steps into the doorway. `` And, of course, collect payment.'' 
 
 My brother is watching the exchange with interest now. `` You cheated me,'' I say, knowing it wo n't make any difference. `` And anyway,'' I add feebly, `` I did n't sign anything...'' 
 
 He does n't miss a beat. `` Verbal contracts are quite binding in these areas, I assure you, and anyway -- Do you MIND?'' My brother drops the hem of the unnaturally, light-drinkingly black suit jacket and puts his hands theatrically, rigidly at his side. `` Sorry, mister,'' he says, clearly still unimpressed with the embodiment of sin and corruption. 
 
 `` As I was saying, you agreed to pay for one day of clairvoyant knowledge of all the universe's events. We agreed. We shook hands. We drank a toast to our agreement.'' 
 
 `` Hey!'' my brother interjects, but I continue ignoring him. `` That drink made me SLEEP through the entire day! I did n't place a single bet or stock purchase!'' 
 
 `` HEY!'' my brother says again, scowling at the fallen angel in our living room, who glances at him, annoyed before responding. `` In the few seconds before you lost consciousness, I assume you knew how long you'd sleep and everything that would transpire while you were unconscious?'' I nod, jaw clenched with futile anger. `` Well, then our trade was valid and I am owed one soul.'' His smile makes my blood run cold. 
 
 `` Typically in these cases, the soul is --'' 
 
 `` So you're the Devil?'' My brother's face is appraising now, but still not sensibly intimidated. 
 
 Satan's head whips toward my brother and he snaps, `` This does n't *concern* you, child.'' 
 
 His composure returns in an instant. `` As I say, the soul is generally held in escrow until your death, whereupon --'' 
 
 `` So what do you need extra souls for?'' The sight of a 10-year-old boy staring down Lucifer would have been funny any other day. `` I mean, do you, like, spend them on stuff? Who do you --'' 
 
 `` SILENCE!'' the devil shrieks, his voice echoing with the suffering of untold spirits from the beginning of time. 
 
 His composure is more forced this time, `` WHEREUPON... I will take full possession in Hell. You wo n't notice the difference while it's being held pending --'' 
 
 The Devil's teeth clench with a sound like a blade on a whetstone as my brother snorts with laughter and mutters something under his breath. 
 
 `` WHAT!?'' he demands, seizing my brother by the sleeve. 
 
 The chill leaves me in an instant, and I feel a warm glow in my chest I did n't notice had been with me my entire life. Lucifer's eyes dart from me to my brother half a dozen times before his fingers uncurl from the fabric of the bright green t-shirt. 
 
 `` I said,'guy-who-gives-Jeff's-soul-back-says-what?''' My brother smiles an innocent smile that's made me punch him a hundred times. Never again. 
 
 I stand stunned for the longest seconds of my life before murmuring, `` Verbal contracts... are...'' 
 
 An angry hiss and the smell of sulphur accompany a blinding flash of cold fire and suddenly the only other person in the room is my brother. 
 
 He picks up his video game controller from the coffee table. `` Mom says to bring up the laundry.'' 

