To Love And Be Loved

The pouring rain and howling winds formed a bleak backdrop as Penny strode up the long driveway, hood pulled low against the elements. Two tortuous weeks had passed since discovering Johnny’s deception, finding him in bed with another. Though the initial shock and grief had dulled, an aching void remained where her family once was. She rapped sharply on Madison’s old oak door, worn smooth with time. She shivered and pulled her coat tighter around herself. She couldn't stop replaying the painful scene from that morning in her head. Finding Johnny in bed with that woman, his weak excuses, her daughter lily refusing to look at her as she packed her bags. The loneliness and heartbreak weighed heavily on her. Within moments, her friend swung it open, eyes widening at Penny’s disheveled state. “Come in, you’re soaked to the bone!” Madison greeted her at the door with a hug. "Oh Penny, I still can't believe it, I'm so sorry about everything that's happened. Come in, get warm by the fire." Penny shrugged off her coat, boots leaving small puddles on the hardwood. Madison fixed her with a concerned look. “What’s happened? Last I heard, you were staying with your parents.” Inside, Penny told Madison the whole ugly story over mugs of tea by the flickering flames. Madison listened with sympathy, though her eyes seemed to light up strangely when Penny mentioned Lily siding with Johnny. Sinking onto the threadbare sofa, Penny gathered her thoughts. “Lily refused to get in the car with me. She chose him, Madison. After everything. My whole life is f****d up, I couldn't even get out of my job..” Her voice cracked, tears threatening once more. Madison squeezed her hand gently. “I’m so sorry, Pen. She’s just a child, this can’t have been easy on her either.” "You know, I may have a way you can get revenge and regain your daughter's trust," Madison said slowly. Regaining composure, Penny met her friend’s gaze steadily. “Madison, I know you’ve been studying... Dark magic. I need your help. Please..I'm desperate.” "To tell you the truth, I've been experimenting with summoning magic. With a ritual, we can call one, a powerful demon who can curse him!" Madison sighed. “But, revenge will only breed more suffering, you know that. And these forces aren’t to be trifled with.” Despite her doubts, Penny's desire for justice and her daughter's love overwhelmed her good sense in that dark moment. “Please,” Penny pleaded, desperation entering her tone. “If it can’t help me get my daughter back, at least make him pay for what he’s done. I'll sacrifice my life if I have to! My life is already ruined when I chose that path when I find out I was pregnant with lily. This would be nothing..” A tense silence hung between them as Madison considered. Finally, she spoke slowly. “I can offer guidance, but you must promise to heed my every word. The cost of failure could be great.” She led Penny to the basement, where she had a strange circle drawn on the floor with markings Penny didn't recognize. "To tell you the truth, I only researched this one. I'm not sure if it'll work or if it's even real, but hey. Atleast we tried hehe." Penny agreed to the ritual, not realizing what sinister forces she was inviting into her world. The heavy rain and howling winds seemed an ill omen as Madison lit the black candles around the edge of the summoning circle. She chanted cryptic words in a language Penny didn't understand while pouring mysterious powders into a smoking cauldron. The basement grew cold as an ominous presence pressed down on them. With a crash of thunder, the candles flared bright green and went out. A glowing form took shape inside the circle—a tall, powerfully built man with alabaster skin and eyes like burning coals. Both Penny and Madison screamed and hugged each other. He smiled to reveal pointed fangs. "I am Imp, Prince of Shadows. You have summoned me. What is your command, mortals?" Both of the girls let go of each other and madison holds on to the candle. His voice sent chills down Penny's spine but she had gone too far to back out now. She gulped. "Wow, err..I was expecting something scarier or like hm cool? But! I want you to punish my ex-husband Johnny!" she cried desperately. Imp studied her with an appraising look. Ignoring her first words. "Hmph! You mortals are always so short-sighted. Revenge will only breed more pain and conflict. However..." His crimson gaze fixed on Penny with an unsettling intensity. "Since you succeeded in summoning me where others have failed, I will grant your wish—for a price." Madison squeezed Penny's hand anxiously. Something about Imp's manner put her on edge, though she couldn't deny her own curiosity about tapping into such power. Penny met Imp's gaze steadily. "Name your price, demon. Anything to set things right." Inside, doubt clawed at her hope for vengeance and retribution. But the pain of loss and betrayal had festered too long to back down now. A slow, chilling smile spread across Imp's face, revealing gleaming teeth. "Hm, Once your ex has been dealt with, you will owe me a favor - whatever I desire, whenever I call upon you. Do we have a deal?" He extended a clawed hand expectantly. "Penny, be careful..." Madison warned softly. But Penny had come too far to turn back. Steeling her resolve, she grasped Imp's hand and felt a thrill of otherworldly power surge through her veins, sealing the dark pact. Imp released her hand and vanished in a cloud of smoke. An eerie quiet fell over the basement once more. Madison puts her hand on her waist "I suddenly have a bad feeling about this favor he's asking..." Madison puts her hair on a pony tail. "You go get some rest, I'm sure you're tired, or maybe shocked." "I'm even surprised the spell worked, I'm gonna hold onto this for a bit while I try some stuff okay?" Madison spoke as she started to put on her glasses and writes on her paper. Madison looks at Penny and shuddered. "I hope you know what you're doing, girl. Dark forces aren't so easily controlled." Little did she know, Penny's mind was already elsewhere, lost in visions of vengeance and recompense. Only time would tell what price she may one day pay for this night's work. --- A few days passed in an uneasy haze as Penny awaited word from Imp. She went through the motions of daily life on autopilot, dreading what may come. On the third night, she was startled from fitful sleep by a tapping at her bedroom window. Penny crept over and peered out to see Imp perched casually on the ledge, grinning inward. She threw open the sash with a gasp. "It is done, mortal," Imp purred, slipping into the room like a shadow. "Your troublesome boy will plague you no more." Dread and anticipation warred within Penny's mind. "What have you done to him?" Imp laughed, "Worried?" Penny got angry looks at him dead in the eye. "You know what I mean." Imp's smile grew sinister."Let us say he has...changed allegiances. He will never darken your door again. You are free to pursue your daughter, if she will have you, without his interference." Penny covered her mouth and begin to speak nervously. "You didn't kill him right? I don't want him dead..Only suffer. Dead is too easy." Imp eyes darkened. "I do not kill" Relief and residual anger battled within her. Penny got the vengeance she sought, yet lingering doubts remained. "Thank you, Imp. I am in your debt." He bowed slightly, eyes aglow. "Do not think on it for now, mortal. Enjoy this new chapter. But the time will come when I call upon you, so stay vigilant." And with that, he melted back into the night. --- At the park, Penny was eager but nervous to reconnect with Lily. As they shared ice cream, Penny glossed over the details of Johnny's sudden departure, relieved Lily seemed less hostile. But when Penny broached the idea of them living together again, Lily's demeanor changed in an instant. "No way, Mom! I don't want anything to do with you," she spat venomously. Penny flinched, hurt by Lily's harsh words. "But sweetie, your father is gone now. We can be a family again." Lily punched the picnic table angrily. "Stop lying! I know you made Dad leave somehow. You've always been crazy and jealous, trying to control us. Well I'm done with you!" Tears welled in Penny's eyes, but she held herself together. She had hoped Lily might soften with time, but clearly the damage ran deeper than she realized. "Just leave me alone!" Lily yelled, drawing stares. She leapt up and started to storm off before turning back with a cold glare. "I hate you, Mom. I never want to see you again! And if you ever contact me or Dad, I'll call the cops. Get lost and don't come near me ever!" With that, Lily spun on her heel and disappeared into the growing dusk, leaving Penny alone with her regrets. Penny sat numbly on the park bench long after Lily had fled, replaying her daughter's hurtful words on an endless loop in her mind. Darkness fell like a shroud as tears rolled silently down her cheeks. She didn't notice Madison approaching until her friend sat beside her, laying a gentle hand on her back. "I'm so sorry, Pen. Tell me what happened," she urged softly. Between shaky breaths, Penny recounted the confrontation with Lily in a hollow voice. Saying the words out loud made it all the more real and unbearable. Madison listened attentively, heart aching for her friend. "It's all my fault," Penny choked out. "If I'd just been honest with her from the start about Imp... Now she hates me and I've lost her forever." She broke down sobbing, and Madison gathered her into a hug, letting Penny cry it out on her shoulder. After several long minutes, Penny's weeping quieted to occasional hiccups. She pulled back, wiping her eyes. "What have I done, Madison? My life is ruined, and it's all because of that demon I summoned." Madison pondered thoughtfully. "Perhaps all is not lost, my friend. Imp still owes you a debt, does he not? You could demand he undo the damage - make amends to Lily so she may find it in her heart to forgive you." A small flicker of hope kindled in Penny's grief-stricken eyes. "You think he would do that?" Taking Penny's hands in her own, Madison met her gaze determinedly. "We have nothing left to lose by trying. Let's call upon Imp together and see if he'll set this right." Penny took a deep, steadying breath and nodded. --- Penny took a deep, steadying breath and nodded at Madison, hoping against hope that Imp might agree to undo the damage. But in her heart, she feared she had unleashed a darkness that could not be so easily commanded. That night, beneath a full moon heavy with portent, Madison led Penny through the dark summoning ritual once more. When Imp materialized before them in a cloud of sulfurous smoke, his eyes gleamed with cruel amusement as he beheld Penny's tear-stained face. "You dare summon me again so soon, mortal?" Imp purred, taloned fingers caressing Penny's quivering chin. "Have you no patience? Or do you seek to fulfill your debt in a... different manner?" Penny jerked away from his icy touch. "You Demon! What have you done to my daughter?? She's way worst than the last time we talked! Lily hates me more than ever since your meddling. Fix this at once!" Imp threw back his head and laughed, an ugly, rasping sound that set Penny's nerves on edge. "Foolish girl," he sneered. "You asked me to punish your wayward boy, and so I did. I never guaranteed your daughter's affection would be so easily regained." Penny fell to her knees, grasping Imp's leg in desperation. "I'll do anything, give you anything. Just make amends with Lily so I can be a mother to her again." Imp smiled down at her, a slow, predatory baring of fangs. "Very well, mortal. I will grant your wish...for a heavier price than you can yet imagine." He seized Penny's chin in a crushing grip, forcing eye contact. "From this night forward, any harm that befalls your daughter will be of your doing. Her suffering will be your suffering, her pain your pain, until the debt is paid in full. Do we have a bargain?" Madison puts her hand on her waist as she screamed. "This is bullshit! Mind your place demon, You are only granting her wish and no more than that! know your f*****g place." Penny knew in her heart she should refuse...but the chance to reconnect with Lily was too great a lure. Against all wisdom, she nodded tearfully. "It's a deal, demon. Now make things right with Lily, please!" Madison forced Penny to look at her. "Penny, what on earth???" Imp threw back his head in a bone-chilling howl of laughter that echoed through the night. "As you wish, mortal." And with that, he vanished in a storm of darkness, leaving Penny consumed in a cold, dreadful certainty that she had just sealed her fate for worse torment than she ever imagined. --- Lily's pov I was in my room, working on a school assignment, when my phone buzzed with a text from Mom. We hadn't really spoken much since the big fight some time ago. I knew she had been trying to reach out, leaving messages I wasn't ready to respond to yet. Part of me was still so confused and hurt about everything that happened - Dad leaving, moving in with him and Jess, the harsh words exchanged in the park. But a little voice in the back of my mind wondered if I had misjudged Mom, reacted too strongly in the heat of the moment. She had always been there for me before, even through her divorce from Dad. Taking a deep breath, I opened the text: "Lily, I miss you so much. Please know I never meant to hurt you. Can we talk?" Tears sprang to my eyes as I stared at those words. All the anger and bitterness I'd been clinging to started to melt away. Maybe it was time to finally listen, to hear Mom's side of the story without judgment. I tapped out a shaky reply: "I miss you too. Do you...want to meet for ice cream tomorrow after school?" Hitting send, I prayed this might be our first small step towards healing the rift between us. Deep down, all I really wanted was to have my family - and my mom - back in my life again. When Lily got home after school, she hesitated before opening Mom's text. So much had happened, and old hurts lingered, even as she longed to repair their bond. Gingerly, as if handling something fragile, Lily composed her reply: "It was good hearing from you. I need some time to think about meeting up, if that's alright." Hitting send, Lily breathed a small sigh. Time and space, that's what she needed most right now to sort through tangled emotions. Her phone chimed almost immediately with Mom's response: "No pressure at all, sweetheart. Take all the time you need. Know that I'm here when you're ready." The next few days passed slowly as Lily adjusted to living with Dad and Jess full time. Little moments reminded her of better times with Mom - a favorite song on the radio, catching a glimpse of her laughter in old photos. More than a week went by. But one afternoon, as Lily walked home lost in thought, an idea started forming. By the time she unlocked the front door, she had sent another cautious text to Mom: "What are you doing this Saturday? Think we could get those cones from Tilly's and walk in the park, if you want?" Baby steps, Lily thought. But it was a start toward finding her way back to the person who had always accepted and understood her the most.