I stare in shock and suspicion at the stranger's words.
"How would that even be possible," I ask, "It's how Dahvie feels, and you can't change a person's emotions."
"You may not be able to," the man muses, "But I have my ways."
"And what ways would that be?" I scoff, not buying this guy's bullshit.
"Just ways," he answers, "Perhaps I should introduce myself. My name is Lucian."
Lucian extends his hand and I warily shake it.
"Jayy," I respond.
"Well Jayy, I can get you what you want," Lucian tells me, "But it comes at a serious cost."
"What would that be?" I ask.
"In due time," Lucian says, "But I thought we could talk a bit more first; get to know each other."
Lucian's blood-colored eyes gleam ominously; I get a bad feeling from this guy, everything about him spells trouble. But his words intrigue me, I wanna know what this guy's game is.
"Ok," I say, "What do you wanna know?"
"I just wanna know more about your friend," Lucian tells me.
"Dahvie?" I say and he nods, "Dahvie's the greatest guy ever. He's kind, gentle, non-judgemental, funny. Everyone loves him."
"Do you love him Jayy?" Lucian asks me.
"More than anything," I answer, "But that doesn't matter. He doesn't feel the same way, so I should just get over him."
"That's all I need to hear," Lucian tells me, "Now, is there anything you would like to ask me?"
I pause for a moment, thinking hard about what to ask Lucian. A few things come to mind.
"You said you have ways to change people's emotions," I begin, "How is that?"
"Ah, that," Lucian begins moving closer to me, "The answer may be a little, difficult, to believe. Are you certain you wanna hear it?"
"You're not about to tell me you're some kind of psychic that can use waves to change people for the better are you?" I ask sarcastically, "Cuz I don't buy that crap."
"Not at all," Lucian assures me, "That kind of stuff is just a scam. People who think that works are truly foolish."
"Then how do you do it," I ask again.
"You have to understand, that I'm not entirely...human," Lucian explains.
"You appear human enough to me."
"I have taken a human form to keep from frightening you. My true form is quite grotesque, after all."
"What exactly are you?" I ask dubiously. I don't buy this shit at all.
"A demon," Lucian tells me sternly, "A very powerful one at that."
"Yeah, and I'm the fucking tooth fairy," I say sarcastically, "No offense dude, but you should probably check into some rehab for that drug problem. You're fucking delusional."
Suddenly, the temperature in the bathroom rises to an unbearable high. Fire starts to burn the walls and surrounds me and Lucian. His crimson eyes are glowing eerily and a blistering breeze whips around us. Lucian appears unfazed by the scene; but I am seriously freaking out. And just as quick as the scene had come; it vanishes. The bathroom looks as if nothing has happened. That the fire was just a figment of my imagination.
"What the fuck was that?!" I yell at Lucian and he smiles.
"Do you believe me now?" he asks.
"Yeah," I say in disbelief, "What...what just happened?"
"That, was hell my friend," Lucian tells me, "I have shown you just a glimpse of it in all it's burning glory."
I let out a sigh as shock takes me; I have literally been to hell and back. That's a scary thought.
"Now about our deal," Lucian begins as if nothing has happened.
"What about it?" I ask, regaining my composure.
"I can give you Dahvie's undying love," Lucian tells me, "Until the day fate wishes you to die. However, the cost is a great one."
"What would that be?" I ask.
"Your soul. When you die, you will accompany me to hell. And it is in hell where you will stay forever."
My brain runs at a mile a minute as it tries to process what Lucian is telling me. Dahvie could really be mine! But the searing pain of the heat in hell has me questioning if it's worth it.
"I understand this is a lot to think about," Lucian tells me, "So take all the time you need."
He takes out a pen and scribbles something on the back of an index card before handing it to me.
"My phone number," he explains, "Call me when you've made your decision."
And with a flash, Lucian was gone; as if he was never there to begin with. I look down at the number on the index card and slide into my jacket pocket. Walking back out to the bar, I see Dahvie stand up as he sees me.
"Jayy," he says as I approach him, "I was starting to get worried."
"Yeah," I say in response, my stomach tying itself in knots.
"I'm sorry I hurt you," he tells me, "I just don't wanna lead you on or anything."
"It's fine," I tell him, trying to hide how much his words hurt.
"Are you sure?" he asks me.
"Yes!" I yell, fed up with his questions, "I'm fine. Can we just go home already? I'm tired."
Dahvie doesn't say anything else to me; he just goes and pays the bar tab before we leave the bar in complete silence.