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CHAPTER SIX : A PRICE WELL PAID

Alfred sat in his living room , watching the fireplace warm up the room. He couldn't take his mind off the words of the cross road ripper while sipping from his tea mug. The sun began to set, the gentle breeze drifting him off to sleep on the comfy couch. But his comfort came to a sudden end from the horrible sight in his dreams.

A man sat before him. With the weirdest grin he has ever seen, ushering him a bottle of wine. As he looked over the table, an open scroll sat before the Man's laps, with Alfred's name on it. Fear shook him to wit as he screamed, pondering on the man's identity. With fear he turned towards the man on black, who with crossed legs placed his hands on his lips, pointing towards Alfred. "hush now...the price has been paid. Your soul… is Mine..!"

Alfred jilted from his sleep with a loud scream. He couldn't want to believe what he had seen, but his own words replayed in his heart. "If this would make my dreams I reality, I could not possibly care at what cost". He clenched his shirt, his steps failing him. Falling towards the ground, as tears flowed from his eyes.

When he had calmed down a bit, he slowly came to realize what had been done. He had paid for his dreams with a heavy price but consoled himself by wanting to help others through it". He lamented; "when the devil lends you a shoe, he takes your legs with it... Or a hat, he takes your head with it. Now He's granted me a wish…and took my soul for it.." His cause was justified but at the expense of his damned soul.

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It had been 30 long years since his bargain with the trinket man and not once did he forget his loss. The glory he basked wasn't enough to fill the void in his empty heart. Leaving him dry as a dessert. With each sunset , the smell of sulphur brewed up at his home, and he knew right then, that the demons were near. Time drew closer, causing him to age. Each hour past, a painful reminder the moment was soon upon him.

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After the mass was over , Alfred walked in the garden to pray with the fellow believers before their departure. Lilith folded her hands and scoffed, wondering how he could call upon his god while he was brewing with dark power. She walked in his direction, relishing the dreadful look on his face. Dining with the ruler of hell made him aware of who she was.

Lilith laughed." Father!.." she said, heartily embracing him. He froze, unable to get himself together. Lilith whispered. "This is the part when you say…peace be unto you daughter!". Feeling the tension rise behind his stiff shoulders she released her grip, smiling brightly. "Well...you sure have built yourself a fine chapel of prayer…ravishing in hypocrisy and fame...it is quite a sight to behold, don't you think ..Alfred?".

He stammered at her words, "have you come for my soul?". Lilith smirked" It is already mine, I just came to pay a visit. Aren't I welcome…father Alfred?".

To which he quickly replied, " Of course you are. It's just...I have been dreading a day like this for I know not how my end will become...". Lilith cut in. "isn't obvious? " . Her words gripped him to his core while she continued, unbothered." I have come for a confession father...would you lead me to the confession box? ". Unsure of her intentions, Alfred ushered her in with shaky hands.

Lilith sat upright, speaking with the most gentle voice yet firm enough for him to hear through the walls demarcated. " I killed a man father. Two… in fact. Burned him alive and fed on the other...It was not my intention... they asked for it..". She said, being sarcastic as she pouted her lips forward, looking pitiful. Alfred's eyes widened , feeling helpless in his thoughts, shaken by her admissions.

Deep in his thoughts, Lilith's words drifted him back to consciousness." I came to console your dead heart, father. How has the world being for you?...I must admit you are quite a fierce one. Most would rather squander wealth on themselves. But you, my dear friend, chose to help people. How sentimental of you… father Alfred" .

"Can I tell you a secret, father?" She paused "One that's interesting. Dear old dad wants me to be bethroted to some idiot called Teivel. So now I have less than 365 days on this earth."

Lilith sighed " that's enough chit chat for the day. Its been a pleasure knowing you. Gotta run" .She stood up to leave, making a sudden pause. " oh please do not say your sins are forgiven ..cause neither are yours... Adìos!". She walked out of the building, leaving Father Alfred trembling in his robe. A man caged in fear.

He seemed to have longed for a companion all his life; his days were numbered, and so was his possession. Alfred sighed deeply." If I could turn back the hands of time I would, if this stone could be rolled away, let it be." Unable to change his determined fate, his fear caused him not to build a family. Worried about the aftermath once he was gone. He might have been a reverend, but a loner caught in impatience and greedy ambitions in his youth.

Alfred paced around his office in search of the golden object he obtained from the trinket man. After much tossing about, he found it beneath his drawers. Holding onto it with tears in his eyes, he threw it hard on the floor, causing it to break into tiny pieces. His life felt horrible… he felt meaningless over the years. Bound to feel a thousand times worse in the afterlife.

He staggered, barely sitting upright on the chair. Covering his arms over his face, he remembered the words he wrote to himself long ago; about his longing for authority.

"The time has come…the hour is near

The ambition I seek ..in existence it shall

A reality to the eyes...a longing for the weak

The means ... I care not...

but the goal..I will attain

On their weakness, will I soar

Help in exchange for power..

The time has come...the hour is near..

I will bask in glory at riches behest..."