CLOSER TO HEAVEN

demon

"This all feels like a fever dream," I mumbled, more to myself, sinking to the ground with my head between my palms. "You want me to leave everything behind and come with you?"

"Again, it's just an offer now that you made it clear that you didn't summon me on purpose," he sighed. "Although, I have to say, it's a bit tiring to come up here so if you call for me again please make sure you actually want me to come."

"Is it the only thing I can give you? Dying up here is the only way?", I asked again. It felt so wrong to even consider it. How could I be so heartless towards my father though it wasn't like he particularly loved me?

"Nuh uh, there's a lot you can do for me, I can decide the price later if you want," he yawned, voice distorting a little at the end. "Hey, do you think I might a little jet lagged? Is the time different here?" I scoffed, out loud. Was he seriously a Demon? Or was all of this just an elaborate prank being pulled on me?

"Listen, you demon, or whatever I'm not sure if I can come with you but I can give you everything else you want. Anything you want except my life up here," I tried not to get emotional about it. "I want to see the earth with my eyes, I want to see the faces of those I've loved and lost. I doubt there's even an ounce of emotion in your world but up here, we have families we care about."

"Didn't you just say there's nothing you value here?", he taunted, voice teasing.

"I might say things like that but I do have other responsiblities up here."

"Alright, whatever you say," he laughed again. Oh, this sound. So enchanting. "You're going to be bond to me now Cecilia. If you get your vision, I can ask for anything I want. You can't bargain with the Devil even though you're trying really hard."

"How do you think that makes me feel? I'll be indebted to you till you decide when you want what you want. Nothing exciting about that," Snorting, i rolled my eyes, something I had picked up after reading about it in a book.

"We'll see," he murmured softly, like he was distracted, perhaps watching something and not really listening to what I had to say. "Uh, you have to say yes to the bond, okay?"

"Yes, do whatever you want, seal the bond and help me see."

It was a rash decision, haphazard even but I was at a point in life where nothing really mattered. What did I actually have to save? Whom to protect? Besides, this would prove to me just how much a demon he really is. If it turns out to be a joke, I'll just pretend and say I was onto him since the start and never saw his shiny green eyes.

Soon, I felt an arm slide around my waist so I gasped softly. His skin was so cold, almost like he was dead. Maybe he was. "You're going to finally see just how beautiful you really are."

My breath hitched at his words and the minty wave of air that helped me relax. Abnus' hands slid around my body like they were meant just for that and my desire for his touch must have reached him because he simply cupped the side of my face and without another word, his lips were on mine.

Cold. Nervous. Scared. Soft. And waiting.

I closed my eyes as if to check if this was real and then he parted his lips. Shivers crawled up my back till I realised we were kissing. All thoughts were thrown out of the window and my hands were itching to hold onto him. I kissed him back like it was all I knew how to do. My hands were in his hair, silky strands meeting my fingers and slipping through them so I could let my hands shrivel down his chest. Abnus pushed me against the wall, his hand sliding up the length of my waist under the loose top I had on and then he pulled away.

"Okay, that's enough," he reminded himself, his voice was so incredibly broken I could only wish I did that to him when in reality it was probably the after effect of using his powers or something. "We- the deal's uh, sealed, or whatever."

"Can I open my eyes now?", I asked softly, ignoring the elephant in the room. Why did he kiss me? Is that how he sealed his deals? He must've kissed hundreds of people by now, then.

"Wait until I'm gone, please," he requested. "I'll see you again Cecilia, I hope you enjoy this change." And then he was gone because I could no longer hear his erratic breathing.

Slowly, I opened my eyes that burned with every passing second and right in front of me was the house I had spent years in. I was alive, breathing, inside my house and most importantly I could see. I could see everything, every single colour burst through my head and for a minute I thought I was dreaming.

Abnus had just done for me what no doctor could ever do before. I was no longer blind.

Only now, I was bond to a Demon from Hades who could ask for my life anyday.