u/Lime-Time-Live

When Jeremy received a letter in the mail regarding an unpaid debt, he was confused. Jeremy had been someone to always keep his affairs in order, making sure everything was accounted for. He assumed it was a mistake, and with an air of confidence, drove down to the address located on the letter. He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrow when he arrived at his destination: It was a dilapidated, old building with very little markings on the outside. The only thing that confirmed this was the right building was a worn out sign, saying “Debt Collections.” Jeremy felt for his gun concealed under his shirt, making sure it was there. 

Just in case. 

He stepped into a dusty waiting room, with no one manning the receptionist’s desk. 

“Hello? Anyone here?” 

A voice came from the back. A man’s voice, comforting.

“Yes, sorry, I’ll be right with you! Take a number!” 

Jeremy stared at the ticket dispenser, and the empty room. He took a seat, and waited. 

Some time later, a man dressed in all white stepped into the room. An older gentleman, he carried himself with a confidence that brightened the space.

“Hey there! All ready to come on back, Jeremy?” The man’s grin should have been calming. It wasn’t. 

“How did you-” 

“Because I’ve been expecting you. Come on, now. We’ve got stuff to sort out, you and I.” He cooed softly, beckoning Jeremy to follow. 

Hesitantly, Jeremy followed the man back into a very plain office, consisting of only a desk, and two chairs on either side. “Please, have a seat.” The man motioned towards one of the seats, closing the door behind them.  Jeremy sat. 

“I think this is a mistake, sir. You may have mistaken me for another Jeremy. I don’t-” 

“You’re not Jeremy Rensmith? 1305 Oak Ridge Blvd? A wife, a daughter, and a big, juicy secret: 18 young women you’ve killed and had your way with, in that order, buried in various locations around the city?” The man asked with a casualness that betrayed the subject matter. 

Immediately Jeremy was on his feet. “What?! What are you-” 

The man’s visage grew stern, and the air pressure in the room shifted, like a storm was on the horizon. “Save it. And sit down. Now. Or I swear to you I will make your family swallow filth from your own orifices for centuries.” 

Shaken, Jeremy complied. The air returned to normal, as a smile snaked its way across the man’s lips again. “Very good. A man of reason.”

“Listen, if this is blackmail, if you need money…” 

“Y’know, Jeremy: People say God is all seeing, right? I think what they fail to realize is that even though he can see everything, he can still choose to close his eyes.” The man pulled a cigarette from his pocket, and began to smoke. He motioned, offering Jeremy a cigarette. When Jeremy shook his head, the man rolled his eyes. “There are places in this world that God looks away from. People he turns a blind eye to. The poor guy must be too busy. Lucky for you, I got plenty of time.” 

“W-who are you?” Jeremy couldn’t hide his fear, as he slowly inched his hands toward his firearm.

The man raised his eyebrow. “Really? You’re going to sit here like you don’t know?” He huffed, sitting in the chair across from Jeremy. 

“Lucifer?” Jeremy felt his throat dry, like the room’s heat was rising subtly. 

“Huh. I wouldn’t have expected you to go with that one. Sure, fine. I’m Lucifer today.” He shrugged casually, putting his feet up on the table. “So if you were to try to put a bullet between my eyes, it’d be a waste of good lead.” 

Jeremy stopped reaching for his gun. “So… is this to make a deal, then? Is that it? You want my soul for something?” 

Lucifer gave a condescending laugh. “You’re an idiot. I told you what you’re here for. It was in the letter. The sign outside. Debt collection.”

“How could I owe you a debt if this is the first time I’ve spoken to you?” Jeremy could feel the first drops of sweat collecting on the back of his neck. 

Amused, Lucifer tutted. “This is the first time we’ve talked face to face, yes. But you and I have been dealing with each other for quite a long time.” He paused for a moment, taking a large drag from the cigarette, blowing the smoke directly into Jeremy’s face. 

“When you prayed to God for forgiveness after your first victim, I forgave you. Then, when your heart begged for another pretty little thing to come along, I made sure she was distracted long enough for you to slip her a pill. By your sixth victim when you were begging to not get caught, I made sure the officer that was on your trail got into a nasty accident, leaving his family fatherless. Every little selfish thing that you asked for, I answered.” 

“Why? Why me?” Tears welled in Jeremy’s eyes. 

“Ugh. Please. You shed no tears with each life you’ve taken. That won’t work on me. Have some respect for yourself.” Lucifer responded flatly. He cleared his throat. “Why you? Why not? As an angel, it’s my duty to help out God’s children. And you were quite the busy one.” He giggled merrily. “But my help comes with a price, one that you promised to me piece by piece. Now it’s time to collect.” Lucifer stood from his chair, cracking his knuckles. His smile grew, eager for what came next. 

Trembling, Jeremy stumbled to the floor, crawling backwards until his back hit the wall. “Please! No! I didn’t want your help! I didn’t know! I take it back! I’m sorry! I’ll change!” 

“Tch. Awww. Poor baby. It doesn’t work like that.” 

Lucifer stepped forward calmly.

“There’s no refund.”

Fun fact: Do you know for a time, we originally lost the term for "Bear"? People were afraid that speaking the original name for "Bear" would invoke it to arrive, so people made up other names to avoid beckoning a bear to their homes. I'd like to present a story in a different format, that runs with this idea. What happens when the greed of the modern world interacts with a presence older then mankind? I present "Arktos: The Deller's Factory Massacre."

arktos.blog

[This is a story I wrote in a new format. It's a folk/mascot horror story. It has some video/picture elements to really try to sell the "investigation" angle that I've taken. I hope you enjoy!]