[ WP ] Write about a boy who gambled his life with a demon

`` You know,'' said Satan, `` your mother does n't have to die.'' 
 
 Johnny, still clasping his mother's hand, turned and looked at the towering shadow on the wall. `` Did... did you say that?'' he trembled, pointing at the mysterious black shape. 
 
 `` Oh yes, that's me,'' said Satan. `` As I just told you, I can save your mother. I can tell you know that she will die in one hour. Look at her, Johnny. She's slipping, even now.'' 
 
 Tears welling in his eyes, Johnny's eight year old eyes sunk in the sight of his dying mother. She sat upright in the hospital bed, as she had for the past eight days. Tubes, wires, and needles covered every inch of her shrunken arms, making her look more mechanical than human. The hospital blankets covered her frail body like a shroud, and her chest barely moved with each shuddering breath. Her failing heart trembled in her chest as she resided in a tormented dream, from which she quite possibly might not wake up from. 
 
 `` What do you want?'' Johnny cried, galvanized by his mother's frailty. As she had protected him, it was his job to protect her. 
 
 `` So you are willing to gamble?'' asked Satan, licking his lips in anticipation. 
 
 `` Yes,'' said Johnny, stoic in his determination to save his mother. As you may know, a mother will give up anything to save her child. The same goes for any kid: they will protect their parents at all costs. 
 
 `` Excellent, let's begin!'' snarled Satan. `` I will save your mother. She will live many more years. Under no circumstance will she die- I can see to that.'' With that, Johnny's mother gasped for air, and her lungs expanded, finding newborn strength. `` I can also take it away-'' and Johnny's mother slipped back into sleep- `` if you do not respect our deal.'' 
 
 `` With every extra day your mother lives, your death will be 2 days sooner. Do you agree?'' 
 
 `` I agree.'' 
 
 `` Excellent,'' cackled Satan, and with that, he vanished. 
 
 Johnny collapsed into his mother's lap and began to weep.
