The Scryer ✔️

~The Proposal, Only Not~

The man stopped at the gate, opened it and stepped foot on the property.

I soon recognized him as the Deacon who'd forced my family shun my husband and me.

"What kind of trick is this," I demanded.

He shook his head as he removed his hat and I realized that I was staring into the dark chocolate eyes of Lucifer, the Light Bringer.

"Not a trick," he sighed. "It's me. It's always been me."

I pushed him away. "You ASSHOLE! MY FAMILY SHUNNED US BECAUSE OF YOU!"

He nodded. "Yes. It had to be that way though, Hannah. I had to get you out. Besides, I'm used to being hated. I don't like it, but I'm used to it."

"WHY!"

"Because Purson had already found you. Word gets around quick, you see?" A lightning strike followed immediately by thunder boom blinded and deafened us all for a moment. He flinched and he looked up. "I'm getting to it! He's impatient and wants your answer."

"Alright...Continue because you're not getting a reply until I learn the truth."

He smiled warmly as he continued..."Beezle's human body was dying and he was in no fit state to mount a defensive against Purson. We thought that if we got you away, you'd be safer and so would they.

Then the unthinkable happened. He found you. And due to the work ethic that Beezle instilled in you, you did your job. And you did it well. So well that the Demon King, the one who governs emotion, the first one I created, fell for you. And he fell hard. Kind of pissed me off actually from a personal standpoint."

"And why's that," I asked acerbically.

"Like it or not Sunshine, you're my kid. You were my gift for helping those that raised you to have their own family. And I wanted you with John. I've already told you why."

I nodded and rolled my eyes. "I was to bring you into the good graces with the man upstairs, yes, I remember."

He nodded. "So here's the deal..."

I was cold from the wind blowing against my wet skin and with it blowing in my ears I could hardly hear him. Finally, he pointed.

"Bring him to me."

I pointed to the two little ones that remained. "But those two..."

He shook his head. "They won't mess with him. They're only here to keep him in line. Besides, they're not what you think they are."

"What are they?"

He motioned with a tilt of his head. "Take them to the porch, Hannah. Get them out of the storm, alright? Take care if them...they're so little," he said gently.

"Is this part of the deal?"

"Yes."

I looked down at the two little upturned, grotesque faces and grimaced as I felt their scaly bodies in my arms. I walked with them toward the porch and Purson flinched as he moved to run, but John held him in what I took to be a chokehold, holding him still. I set them on the wooden planks of the covered porch where they looked to be huddled together and wiped the rain from my eyes.

My twin boys Sam and Davey still in the clothes that I had buried them in were soaked to the bone and very much alive as they sat on the porch. A lightning strike and thunder accompanied my realization. I sank to my knees and pulled them close to me.

"So what do you say, Hannah?"

"A trade? A do-over? What!"

He shrugged. "If that's what you want to call it? Sure."