Chapter 1
A painful cough echoed through the small room sounding far worse than it had before. The sounds had struggled into the night and now into morning, never ceasing for a moments breath. Seconds past before another fit overtook the young girl resting gently on the bed near the far wall. A small window was just above, teasing at the thought of the outside world and the freedom that came with it.
"Jack," The young female voice struggled to call out. The hoarseness in her throat almost sounded to unbearable to hear. Like rocks gargling trapped between blood and muscle.
"I'm here Cid." In the darkness on the other side of the room a face appeared before long and calmed the young girls rapid heart beat. A cloth appeared inside the grip of the man, before he slowly brought it to his sisters forehead. Wiping away the sweat, he smiled gently trying to reassure her. "Feeling better?"
Cindy shook her head. "Not really."
It'd been two weeks of much of the same and no amount of medicine or rest seemed to be making any difference. What had started out as a fever had morphed into something far more complicated. No doctor had been able to diagnose her properly, which led to more questions than answers.
For Jack it meant more frustration alongside his worry.
An older brother was meant to protect, and right now sitting by the bedside of his little sisters inside the hospital room, he was failing miserably at the job. It wasn't a physical problem he could solve with his hands, or a riddle inside his head for him to process.
All he could do was wait and be patient, and sadly that wasn't a quality he excelled at.
"You're bored," Cindy finally said. Not even the faintness of her skin could stop the colour return momentarily from her careful smirk. She had always been deceptively preceptive, especially for a 10 year old.
"I'm not bored," Jack pressed hoping to rid that ridiculous notion from his sisters head. There was no place he'd rather be then by her side. "I'm useless, but not bored."
Cindy smiled, reaching out her hand and taking her brothers. "You're not useless to me."
The two shared a soft smile.
For most siblings the need to be there for one another was deeply embedded into both their head and heart. It was a calling to protect one another, to be there at all costs, and to traverse the journey of life side by side.
Yet for Jack and Cindy, that bond was so much deeper. It was built through love like many before them, but sadly, the main foundation was brought together by misery. Alone inside the hospital, with nothing but silence and machines keeping a steady track of Cindy's health, they were confronted by the reality that they were only two.
No friends.
No families.
And no parents.
The two that brought them into this world had been taken away years ago, leaving the siblings alone and dependent on one another. It made them close, almost out of necessity, and as horrible as that might have sounded, there was a part that relished their bond.
Would they be as close had their parents lived?
It was a disgusting thought that had passed through Jack's head once or twice over the years. One that made him feel shame and sadness. He had been lucky enough to live long enough to remember them, and that was a cruel fate he coped with.
Forever knowing he experienced that love while his sister was robbed of that feeling because of an accident when she was just a baby.
She didn't know of a mothers love and compassion, or a fathers encouragement and protection. All she had were memories, Jack's memories, and poor attempts at trying to recreate them so that she could know what it meant to be loved.
"Jack."
Lost in thought, her brother shook his head, dark hair falling over his eyes, before he pushed it back and smiled tiredly. "What's up?"
Feeling almost shy, Cindy fiddled with her fingers gently before tossing her green eyes towards the small square electronic device plastered high in the corner of the room near the window.
"Can we watch some TV?"
The doctor had stressed rest, but looking at the small disheveled state his sister was in, Jack felt his resolve crumbling. He rolled his eyes playfully, reaching over towards the counter where the remote was, planted a quick kiss on her forehead, before resting back in his chair and turning on the device.
Cindy smiled brightly as static erupted from the device, before the picture came on. It took a few seconds before they could make out what they were watching, but the moment the images registered, Jack knew his sisters smile wouldn't fade anytime soon.
Blurry images made it slightly difficult, but every now and then a wave of green would pop up, and the distinct look of the famous Green Lantern would show. The broadcast was live, just inside the financial district of Star City, where a news report about an attempted robbery being thwarted was being recorded.
The anchor on air was speaking rapidly, and likely excitedly, judging from her face and body language. It was hard to tell what she was saying behind the blaring noises all around her and the low sound coming from the television.
The Justice Society of America.
Costumed heroes who fought against crime while capturing the hearts and imaginations of nearly every person who witnessed their heroic efforts. It was like watching a movie, only knowing it was real, and the ending was never quite what you expected.
What had started as costumed vigilantes soon became powers to incredible to fathom. It was a marvel to watch the Flash sprint around catching crooks, but it had also become normal somehow, expecting these heroes to be there to save the day.
The broadcast continued, as others showed up as Jack tried to up the sound, but the old device had its kinks, leaving his sisters imagination to take over what was happening.
"So cool," He heard her whisper nearby.
His dark eyes lingered on her before rising towards the clock that was hanging above the window on the nearest wall. The small arrows rested on just half past 12, forcing him to bite down hard grinding his teeth.
Damn. He thought. I'm late for work.
There wasn't a chance in hell he was leaving his sisters bedside, but still he knew his boss needed a heads up. He'd been in and out the past two to three weeks and with everything going on he knew his boss deserved a heads up.
With his sisters attention solely focused on the JSA, he took the time to slip out the door and out into the hall. He nearly collided with an urgent looking doctor, but brushed aside and down the hall trying to steer clear of those around.
He'd been inside the ward long enough to understand how busy this section of the hospital was, and knew even the slightest hiccup delay could means someone's life. So with his urgency, he made his way down the hall and towards the staircase and elevators on the far end.
The secretary behind the reception desk nodded his head in recognition, forcing Jack to do the same, before he turned towards the waiting area. The usual sealed doors were open, held together by sticks in the ground, as two maintenance workers held their attention on the above sign that was being looked at.
Jack ducked underneath quick enough, and spun his body until he found himself staring at the row of payphones. All were empty, giving him privacy, as he fished his hand inside the pockets of his leather jacket and pulled out the contents.
His eyes widened at the sight of lint, a toothpick, an old stick of gum, and his keys. The lack of change bothered him, choosing his jeans next, before his finger tips touched the familiar outline of a coin.
Quickly he pulled out whatever change remained, calculating about 80 cents, before jamming it into the machine and clicking the familiar number to his work place. The dial rang, once, then twice, lingering longer than needed, and just as he gave up hope a voice answered with a loud hello.
"Dave and Jays," The voice called out.
Jack recognized it instantly as his boss. "David, it's me, Jack."
An audible groan responded. "Jack, where the hell are you? I have a workshop open and no mechanic in it!"
The edge in his voice had Jack recoil slightly. "Look….that's why I'm calling…"
"Don't," David warned. "Don't you dare say it."
Frustration slipped out at every word but still Jack felt obligated. "I'm sorry Dave, but Cid's still in bad shape. I can't leave. You know I can't, not until she's better."
The line stayed quiet for a few seconds before Jack heard a tired sigh. He knew he was putting his boss in a terrible spot and felt awful about it. It wasn't like him to skip out on anybody, especially those who had been good to him, and David had been just that for years.
He offered him a job, took a chance on a stray, and afford Jack the opportunity to do what he loved. Fixing cars wasn't luxurious, but it was honest, and it was a passion, and Jack's father always said you chase after your passion.
He also told him a man was as good as his words, and right now, Jack knew he was failing in that department with his boss.
"You're a good kid Jackie," David finally said after a pregnant pause. The words were kind but the tone was deflating. "You're smart, passionate, and you're helluva mechanic. But I can't keep doing this."
"David…"
"I have a business to run, and a family to support, and bills need to get paid." Another pause broke out before his boss uttered the words he knew had been coming. "I gotta let you go."
Jack gripped the phone hard, feeling the plastic squeak from the grip, listening to the last of his bosses words. He could hardly process anything David said, picking out a 'get well to Cid' and a 'good luck', before the line died and his boss was gone.
The hallway seemed to almost quiet at his misery, amplifying the dreaded moment, and leaving him frozen in place by the phone. A few seconds past, then minutes, until he jammed the phone back onto its place and leaned his head over the machine and onto the wall.
For a moment he relished the sudden jolt of cold radiating off the tiles before his mind cleared and anger sunk its way into his head.
Fired. He thought.
All that time working and grinding for a better life, tossed away in a heartbeat. No pity would come for him as he felt a wave of anger rush over taking control. His hand jolted back and flew towards the payphone, connecting hard and blasting a loud bang throughout the corridor.
The pain was hardly felt as he focused on the eyes around him. He wasn't the first person to lose his cool inside a hospital and wouldn't be the last. Yet he knew if he stayed here any longer he'd cause a scene.
Jack ignored the looks as he stood straight and continued down the opposite side of the hospital entrance from where he came. He knew his sister was occupied giving him time to sulk in his sudden added misery.
Absentminded from his surroundings, Jack thought about what he'd do next to support him and Cindy. After the chunk the hospital would take from her stay, he knew their current situation would go from bad to dire. Throw in the added wrinkle of unemployment…well he'd soon find himself alongside the criminals the JSA were currently fight just to try and make ends meet.
Sure Dave's joint wasn't the only mechanic store he'd be able to find work, but when would that be. There was so much clouded mystery to his future and it was difficult trying to navigate it. He kept telling himself that all that mattered was Cindy, and for now that had been the only thing keep him vertical.
The quiet air around him shifted slightly as he picked up his eyes towards the soft tune that had broken his empty state. His dark eyes widened ever so slightly as he spotted himself directly in front of the chapel room inside the hospital.
There wasn't anything entirely special about the room, small in stature and empty of souls. A row of benches reached from the edge where he stood towards the back of the room where a small alter rested in front of a stained glass mural on the back wall.
Candles were lit near each row on the east and west walls of the room, and a soft tune played that sounded awfully like an organ. There were no religious symbols, no crosses, no stars, or even verses.
Just an empty room used to pray.
Jack never considered himself a religious man, but never spurned a person for having their own beliefs. He could understand the comfort one took in religion and given his current predicament, it felt almost like fate that he stood in front of such a room.
Gods and higher powers were difficult to grasp, especially when it just outside the hospital somewhere in the city a group of beings were capable of things not common on this planet. However if there were ever a time to plead for help, now would be that moment.
Stepping gently into the empty room, Jack was unsure where to start. He almost wished there were a stature of a God or being he could stare at to look someone or something in the eyes and feel less unsure than he did in this moment.
His legs took him to the nearest seat by the door and slowly he dropped down and relaxed his tense muscles. A part of him wondered how he should begin, if there was a prayer he was supposed to say or gesture he had to make.
The doubt bothered him past annoyance and felt his fingers curl in rage. Thinking hard to clear his mind, the image of Cindy outside the hospital and playing at the park near their apartment appeared in his head.
She wore a white t-shirt covered in mud and the dirt streaks in her blonde hair tossed around tied up in a ponytail on her back. A large toothless grin stained her face as she ran in circles chasing after the park squirrels who seemed just as willing to play as she did.
There was a slight hitch in each step, knowing it'd came from a bruised ankle she'd gotten on the swings, but even that pain wasn't enough to hold her back from continuing her fun. Cindy didn't know it, but even at such a young age, Jack could see she was one of the strongest people he'd met.
The memory was just a few weeks before she became ill, and as the images faded Jack knew what to say in his moment of solitude. There were no words uttered, just thoughts, and each prayer he had solely focused on the well being of his younger sibling. If Cindy was okay, then he knew he would be too, and for now that was more than enough.
"Beautiful."
The sound of another voice startled Jack as he quickly stood and turned towards the entrance to see a man in a dark suit standing just outside the chapel in the hall staring at him.
For a moment Jack almost thought the man had heard his prayer about his sister. "Excuse me?"
A slow smile appeared on the stranger as he gestured towards the room. "It's quite beautiful is it not?"
It was pretty basic but Jack nodded nevertheless not wanting to insult the strangers statement. "I guess."
"May I come in?"
The question caught Jack off guard.
In a way it was polite of the stranger to ask such a thing, considering the intimate state of the room and what one would do during a time of prayer. Some needed solace, yet the way the man spoke Jack knew that wasn't the case.
It almost sounded like he needed Jack's permission.
"Come as you please," He finally said, earning a smile from the stranger.
"Thank you." The man took a deep breath, eyes spinning around at every inch of the room, before he took a heavy step and walked inside. It took him four or five steps before reaching Jack, to which he nodded. "I can't place your accent. Southern boy?"
Hadn't been for years but Jack nodded. "Grew up most of my life in the mid west. City been home for quite sometime though."
"Farmer?"
Jack shook his head. "Mechanic."
The answer had the man smile wider. "That explains the hands."
Jack eyed his palms unsure what the stranger meant.
"So a reformed southern mechanic," Taking a seat across the aisle, the mans stare never faltered. His face grazed a beam of light above, revealing large light brown eyes above a long slender face. He appeared much younger now relaxed in his chair, seemingly growing more comfortable by the moment. "What brings you to this neck of the woods. Good news I hope?"
Good news. Jack thought bitterly. Whatever good news came out of here with the day he was having.
"Don't seem so shocked," The man said. The chair beneath him squeaked as he leaned forward into the aisle across them. "A hospital is a rare place. The home of life and death. It's a poetic and tragic residence. And judging from your sour demeanour I take it you rest comfortably in tragic."
The words did little to comfort him as Jack rose with an angry huff. "What my business is has no concerns of yours."
Quickly he shifted out of his row and made his way towards the exit.
"I apologize if I upset you Jack."
Jack stopped right before the exit.
He turned slowly confusion adorned his face. "How do you know my name?"
The stranger rose from his seat unbothered diving deeper into his life. "Jack Torres, 27 year old mechanic born and raised in Texas who moved to Star City after his father and mother were killed during a hurricane. Younger sister Cindy Torres, 10 years old, currently a patient at Star City Memorial Hospital with what doctors have failed to properly diagnose."
Jack's confusion turned into a frown.
He had no idea how the man before him had such knowledge into his personal life. He could chalk up the name and age of both him and Cindy to hospital knowledge from the dozens of forms and documents he'd filled out over the past few days, but the personal information about his parents stuck a nerve.
Not even Cindy knew how their parents had died, wanting to spare her of the heartache.
"Listen here mister," Jack said slowly. He took a menacing foot closer unafraid of what happened next. "I don't know who the hell you are, but you best stop before you cross a line
and get yourself hurt."
"Is that so?" The man showed no signs of being afraid. Instead he raised his hands in mock surrender and smiled naturally. "I love how passionate you are Jack. That fire inside, to protect what's yours, it's something you and I have in common."
"I don't care what we have in common," Jack replied coldly.
The stranger didn't seem so convinced. "Even if it's the well being for your sister?"
"The hell would you care," Jack spat.
"I know someone so innocent and small shouldn't suffer so greatly."
There was an agreement in that but Jack didn't show it. "Yeah well we don't always get what we want."
The words held in the air a little longer as the stranger turned his back towards him. His attention focused on the alter in front, before his eyes drifted all over the room before finally settling back on Jack.
For a second his light iris's flashed brilliantly, until they focused hard. "Is that why you're in here? Praying to a God to save your sister."
The word God sounded almost hostile.
"Maybe," Jack responded coyly. He felt the odd shift in the air. The stranger no longer seemed so forthcoming, but more so guarded. "Now I'm thinking I should have also asked for peace and quiet."
"Amusing." The smile came back but held no joy on the man's face. "It's funny, people pray to God to answer their prayers, but last I checked, it's the devil whose making the deals."
A dark feeling washed over Jack as he shifted his foot back just as a breeze tore through the room. His jacket flapped as his hips, while he scrunched his face giving his guest a once over. Gods nor Devils frightened him much given the current circumstances his life was currently in, but even he could admit the stranger seemed more uneasy than he had a few moments ago.
"Who the hell are you?" He finally asked.
"Someone who wants to help," The man replied.
In Jack's experience strangers typically didn't offer others help. "You a doctor?"
"No."
"Then ain't much help you can give now."
Nearby outside the hall an orderly passed the open doors pushing alongside a carriage filled with supplies and tools while a radio blared on top about the incident the JSA were currently handling.
The noise caught both men's attention for a moment, hearing a glimpse about open gun fire and bomb threats which the heroes were successfully attending too. Jack knew the same broadcast must have been playing a few halls down where his sister rested, imagining her delight watching her favourite heroes save the day yet again.
"Remarkable."
Jack turned back to the stranger.
"Tell me something, would you trust one of those costumed heroes to save your sister?"
It was directed as an honest question but Jack rolled his eyes. "I don't expect Doctor Fate showing up at my sisters hospital door anytime soon."
"Which is the remarkable part." The strangers smile turned into a self serving smirk as if Jack had walked right into his point. "Wouldn't a man or woman capable of helping your sister owe it to her to do just that? It only seems fair given the flare and time they put into being heroes."
"Worlds a big place, I'm sure they're busy."
The smirk remained. "Which is why I'm here Jack. You prayed for your sister's health, and I answered."
The sheer determination in which the stranger spoke had Jack smile. It almost seemed comical but soon his smile turned into a small laugh. He didn't think this conversation would take such a drastic turn into the dramatic.
"Look mister I don't know what ward you escaped from or backwater hole you climbed out of, but I think I've had enough of this chat. My sister needs me and I've given you enough of my time."
The smirk dropped.
"And what of your sisters time?" The stranger took a step closer until they stood a foot apart. Where as Jack was average and lean, the man oppose to him was tall and thin. He stood half a foot above him, imposing his will over the two. "If I offered to help, you would turn it away?"
"If you were asking me and looking at me the way you were now?" Jack asked sarcastically. "Probably yeah, I would. Yes."
The stranger took a heavy breath, his nostrils flaring, before his shoulders relaxed underneath his suit. "Stubborn too," He said smoothly. "I respect your dedication to protecting your sister. It's very honourable. That fire inside you burns bright."
Jack nodded slowly. "Thanks, I guess."
"But would you trade that fire, that honour, and all that stubbornness for your sisters safety?" The stranger rebutted before Jack could get in another word, leaving the two to stare down one another. A small understanding passed between them as the stranger nodded knowing the answer. "I figured you would. An older brother does whatever it takes to protect his sibling."
Jack's eyes faltered for a moment as he felt a small wave of exhaustion pass over him. His legs buckled back for just a second, before he righted himself up straight. The toll of the day had effected him, and the self doubt creeping in made it hard to stay vertical.
Maybe I need some rest too. He thought about Cindy curled up in bed watching superhero's save the day. Maybe he needed to do the same.
Heroes.
The thought of the JSA just outside had his mind race at the possibility that they could save his sister. He knew most couldn't given their powers, but in a world where a man could run faster than a bullet and another could create tools out of sheer energy, how was it possible there wasn't someone capable of saving his sister.
Maybe not the JSA, but if they were real then maybe their were others hidden in shadows who could help.
It felt wrong to think about given how passionate and thorough the doctors and nurses were working around the clock to help his sister, but it would be wrong for him not to exhaust every possible manner to help her.
The wave of exhaustion ceased, as Jack looked up at the stranger in a different light. He felt his muscles tire and then explode, before he spoke up.
"Why do you want to help her?" He asked slowly. A part of his brain screamed at him to stop, but his heart pleaded to continue. "If you're some sort of hero why not just save her? Isn't that what they do."
"It is," The stranger confirmed. "But I never said I was a hero."
"Then what are you? A pain in the ass?"
"For most. yes actually," He chuckled in response. "But what I'm more curious is to what you'd offer in order to save your sister."
Jack frowned. "A trade."
"A bargain," The man corrected effortlessly. "Think of it as an investment. You could trade anything, and in return you get to see your sister happy and healthy for the rest of her life. That seems like a pretty good dead."
"A little too good a deal," Jack said unsure. He should have walked away but curiosity continued to hold him still. "What's the point of all this?"
"That's very simple Mr. Torres," The stranger replied making Jack think of his own father. He'd never been called Mr. Torres before. "The point is too see how far you'd go to protect the ones you love. Think of it as a test for me to see how far helping your sister truly matters to you."
The comment had Jack's anger flare. "It's the only thing that matters to me."
"So if she needed a heart for example, would you provide yours?" The anger on Jack's face slipped causing the man to laugh. Judging from his reaction, he knew he'd startled him. "An example, that's all, I don't intend to give her your heart. That's far too barbaric. It's more so the thought that counts to see your seriousness in the situation."
The mans laugh continued as Jack shook off the initial awkwardness.
Avoiding the actual question, Jack knew deep down there wasn't anything he wouldn't offer to save his sister. If she needed blood, he'd give it, a new lung, then he'd sign up. And if it called for his heart, then he knew he could rest easy knowing she'd be okay.
"Ignoring the weird question," Jack started causing the stranger to stop laughing. "I'd give her whatever it took to help her, including my heart. But last I checked, she had a virus, not exactly a need for open heart surgery."
"No, not a need at all, but it's nice to see your heart is in the right place." The stranger nodded approvingly before the sounds of police sirens outside the windows of the hall nearby caught their attention. "Unfortunately are time is coming to an end Mr. Torres, I must be off."
Jack looked on in confusion as the stranger excused himself and brushed past him out the room and into the hall. All their talk about Cindy and bargains just for it to vanish without a resolution. Ignoring his gut, he raced outside and called out towards the man.
"Wait!"
The stranger stopped inside the empty hall. "Yes?"
"Can you help her?" Jack asked desperately. He'd wanted nothing to do with the man but the thought of helping Cindy far outweighed his discomfort. "I'll pay whatever price."
Jack couldn't see the sinful smile form on the strangers lips. "Is that so?"
"Well money's tight," Jack explained. "But I'll work it out, I always do."
"No money is needed." The stranger turned to him and made his way back. Slowly he offered his hand and spoke his terms. "I understand the difficulty of your situation Jack, but it's that fire inside that keeps you going. That's what makes me believe you're a man of your word."
"I am."
"Good," The stranger confirmed. "I could use that fire in the future. Offer it to me, and I'll do whatever I can within my power to help your sister. The moment I leave I'll have the best doctors in town to help save her. You have my word."
It all sounded too good to be true until Jack faltered on the cost. "I don't know what you want me to offer."
The stranger noticed his confusion and snapped his fingers in realization. "I suppose that talk of fire is rather confusing, perhaps soul is another word you'd use."
Jack chuckled. "You want my soul?"
"Figure of speech," The stranger corrected. "Offer that, the will and fire burning inside your soul, and I'll put that same passion into saving your sister. You have my word."
The words sounded coy but Jack knew he was signing over his time and effort to the stranger for whatever he needed in return for helping his sister. There was no gun being held or threat being recited, so he knew nothing was being forced. It felt wrong, but if a future favour could save his sister from possible connections to better medical help, then he'd be a fool to pass it up.
He lifted his hand, grasping the cool skin of the stranger, and clamping down hard accepting the deal place.
"Whatever you need you have," Jack said seriously. "Just help her."
Their hands shook, an agreement in place, leaving the stranger smiling. "Good choice."
Their hands separated, leaving Jack a bit breathless before he brushed his short hair anxiously. "So what you need me to do? Some sort of job? Fix a car or something?"
The stranger shook his head reassuringly. "Don't you worry about that, will talk soon. Go back to your sister and wait for my call. She'll need you."
Jack felt relieved as he nodded and headed towards the door. That wave of exhaustion earlier seemed far gone, replaced with almost joy at the thought of helping his sister. It seemed odd and foolish, but maybe the stranger could help.
Stranger. He thought.
"Hey mister?" Jack called back turning around. "What's your name?"
Standing in his suit, the tall slim stranger seemed more larger than he did before, a strange power passed over him like he was the most important person in the building. He smiled that cunning smile he done so many times before, and then answered smoothly.
"Call me Lucifer."
