Chapter 3: The Price
214 Words
It wasn’t until Ethan’s third book reached the peak of success that the Devil came to visit him again. This time, there was no storm. There was no dramatic entrance. The Devil appeared quietly, standing at the edge of Ethan’s grand study, watching him write. Ethan looked up, his heart pounding.
"You’ve done well," the Devil said. "You’ve built a kingdom, Ethan. A world of your own."
Ethan rose from his chair, his palms sweaty. "I didn’t think you’d come back. I thought I’d fulfilled my part of the deal."
The Devil’s smile widened, though it was cold and predatory. "You think it’s over? You think I’ve taken my due?"
Ethan’s breath caught. The room felt colder, and the shadows grew deeper, as if the Devil’s presence was consuming the light around them. "I—"
"Your soul," the Devil said, his voice low and commanding, "has already been claimed. You don’t remember what you’ve lost because you’ve never known true freedom. You’ve given up everything—your love, your heart, your humanity—all in exchange for these fleeting pleasures."
The Devil’s words sent a shiver down Ethan’s spine. For the first time, he truly felt the weight of his decision. He had become a hollow man, consumed by vanity, ambition, and greed.
- Writer
