Gift For A Demon

Becoming A Gift

Sold? Sold to another person like an old piece of furniture or a baked good in a shop window?

Evangeline gladly accepts another glass of the fiery drink, despite the way it burns her nose and throat. Her and Krista sit in silence surrounded by the darkness outside of the oil lamp’s dim glow. Without another word, Krista refills Eve’s glass for the third time and then takes the bottle upstairs with her.

The young woman, more alone than ever before, begins to quietly cry. Still clutching the glass cup, she brings it to her lips to nurse her sorrows. Why is the world the way that it is? Why does she have to be alone, surrounded by people that would surely kill her if they ever found out who she really was? As the tears run down her face, the glass raises to her lips. When the liquid is finally gone she makes her way to her grandparents old room. Her feet feel clumsy and her eyes are puffy as she drops down onto the familiar bed.

Did she cry some more? She isn’t sure what happened before she slips from consciousness into a night filled with dark dreams. Faces she once knew or never knew at all. Voices that called for her to come closer and yelled for her to run away. The feeling of being wanted and safe, of being alone and in danger. She ran from dream to dream, her feet pounding underneath her and echoing all around.

When she wakes with the morning light seeping in though he dark curtains, she finds that the pounding never ended. Her head is throbbing from the alcohol welcomed the night before. Awful stuff. She squeezes her eyes shut tight and holds a pillow over her head to drown out the world around her. Sleep finds her again, but not for very long.

The door to the bedroom swings open abruptly. Krista walks in and notices right away that Eve is hungover. She laughs to herself and then whips the curtains open before removing the pillow from Eve’s head.

“Wake up. I need you looking your best when our guest arrives.” Krista says bitterly. “Put this on. Quickly. We need to go over a few things.”

Krista tosses a long black dress onto a barely coherent Eve. Reality hits her along with the dark material of the dress. She never imagined being a part of one of those contracts that she has always heard about. Yet, here she is.. Being sold to a another person. Dread fills her instantly and her body feels tense and rigid. She has no idea where she is going or who she is being sold to.

Her goal only a day ago was to flee as far from here and any demon as possible. Now, it’s as if she is being sucked into a world that will only lead to her demise. What if the person who is buying her happens to be a demon? What if she finds out right away that Eve is a witch?! What does it feel like to have your essence drained from your very body?! Her head begins to swirl as she holds her mouth and runs to the washroom. The alcohol that leaves her body tastes just as retched as it did the night before.

She holds at her sides as she steps from the washroom and only wants to hide herself back in the darkness of the bedroom. Krista’s laugh penetrates the throbbing of Eve’s head. The young woman looks over to see a smirking Krista exhaling cigarette smoke from her red lips. She is already dressed for the day in one of her skimpy outfits.

“Get dressed, girl. Don’t make me tell you again.” Krista warns.

The black dress is unfamiliar to Eve as she slides it up her hips and onto her shoulders. Her fingers work to zip it up in the back. It’s a short sleeve dress with a small v-neck collar and a hem that ends just below her knees. The dress isn’t too tight or too loose. It is actually the perfect size for her, which doesn’t happen very often. She slips into her plain black flats and proceeds to join Krista in the main room.

“The dress fits you well. Good.” Krista states. “We need you looking worthy of the price she paid for you. Now listen. I told her that you can cook and clean and that you are very obedient. If I were you, I would be just that. If you ever thought that I was cruel.. Then you know nothing of the demons and creatures that live outside of our small sheltered world.”

A shiver runs up Eve’s spine at the very mention of demons and paranormal creatures.

“This woman seemed pleased in hearing the skills you are capable of and was quite eager to purchase you without even seeing you.” Krista pauses and looks Eve up and down. “Now, eat before she gets here. Who knows when you’ll get your next meal. Oh, one more thing. She thinks that you are only seventeen. Don’t worry though, it isn’t specified in the contract.”

It is only a few minutes after Eve finishes her eggs and toast that a long shiny black car shows up out front. The sunlight reflecting off of its chrome features shine into the small cabin. Panic fills her chest and her gut feels like it’s full of stones as Krista grabs her by her upper arm. Together they go out through the front door and stand on the wooden porch next to Nana and Papa’s old rocking chairs.

The back door to the limo opens slowly and two long legs reveal themselves. Pale through black fishnet stockings, slender between black heels and a black mini skirt. A black gloved hand can be seen and then the top of a small brimmed black hat with a veil. The slender yet, curvy figure stands tall by the car.

Eve feels Krista take her by the arm and lead her down the steps, closer to this mysterious woman dressed in all black. She stares wide eyed at the woman’s face, which is concealed by the black polka dotted veil and dark sunglasses. Her red lips match the vibrant color of her red hair. This woman is surely a paranormal by some means with hair like that. Silently, she extends one of her gloved hands forward holding a small thick white envelope.

Krista pushes Eve forward and takes a hold of the envelope with hungry eyes and eager hands. Quickly, Krista opens the envelope and fingers through the fat stack of dollar bills. The red haired woman lets out a small chuckle and crosses her arms under her bosom. Without another word, the woman that Eve once knew as a mother turns and begins to walk away back towards the cabin. Eve follows her with her eyes. She hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye or anything.

The young woman’s attention goes back to the mysterious stranger when she hears her take a step forward on the leaf covered ground. Eve takes in a small quick breath, but can’t find the courage to take a step back. It’s too late anyways. The beautiful woman dressed in all black is standing close enough for Eve to smell her expensive perfume. A gloved hand reaches up to gently take Eve by the chin. She turns her face from side to the other as if she were examining her.

“Hmm… Not too bad. Is it true that you can cook, clean, and keep house?” The woman asks this as she glances behind Eve to the small cabin.

“Y.. Yes, ma’am. If there is anything I can’t do, I assure you that I learn quickly.” Eve says this while remembering Krista’s warning on the cruelness of others.

“Oh? Is this your paranormal power?” The woman questions.

“No. I mean, no ma’am.” Eve pauses before adding. “I’m a human.”

“Excellent. I believe you will serve your purpose.” The woman waves her hand towards the open door of the shiny black car. “Shall we be on our way?”

So far so good, this doesn’t appear to be too terrible of a situation. This woman seems nice enough, perhaps she will be willing to discuss the obligations of the contract with Eve. What if the contract only lasts for a few months or even weeks? She is quite nervous about whatever Krista may have told this woman. Starting with lying about her age. Eve will have to wait and determine whether or not she can reveal certain information to the stranger sitting across from her.

The limo is the single most luxurious thing that Eve has ever been near. Nothing quite so fancy has ever been within reach of her fingertips, but she finds herself not being able to enjoy it. As the car engine starts and the vehicle begins to descend down the long gravel road, Eve’s heart feels tender. Had she appreciated and loved these trees enough? With their many shapes and colors. Will the mountainside miss her as much as she will miss it? The only place that she has ever known as home. Eve watches with a forlorn expression as everything she has ever known fades into a memory right before her eyes.

“There are a few things you need to understand before we reach our destination.” The woman’s sultry voice breaks the silence. “My name is Sophia DeRaphael, but you will address me formally as Miss DeRafael or Ma’am.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Eve responds.

“Very good. I have purchased you as a gift for my boss, Mr. Roberts. You will address your new owner in the same way, as Mr. Roberts, Sir, or Master.” Sophia’s words echo through Eve’s mind. Master... “Do not look at him directly in his face or speak to him without being spoken to, unless it has something to do with your duties. Understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You will complete your chores and duties throughout the day. These consist of preparing his meals and keeping the house in order. You will have your own room and you will be given a key to the rest of the house. Don’t be mistaken though, none of the rooms in the house belong to you.” Even with her sunglasses on, Eve can feel her staring at her. “When you have finished your work for the day you will remain in your room until the next day.”

This sounds a lot like the life she was already living, give or take a few ungrateful children and two elderly people. Hopefully her Master will leave her alone as long as she tends to her duties in a timely and orderly fashion. If she isn’t even allowed to look at him, then maybe he won’t want to look at her either. Honestly, with this incredibly beautiful and probably wealthy woman sitting across from her as his acquaintance then he shouldn’t need anything else. It won’t be the same as being in a small town and working for Mr. Grogen. She hopes…

With Sophia satisfied, they spend the remainder of the car ride in silence. The woman in black pulls out her smart phone and seems quite engaged in whatever she is doing. Eve on the other hand is staring with wide eyes out the car window.

In the distance she can see the tall buildings of the city.