"Well then, let's get down to businesses, shall we?" Alastor tossed the bowl of blood away, watching it skitter across the floor, and against the wall.

"Yeah, yeah, you want something in return." I said as the demon began pacing the pentagram prison he stood in.

"Do you have any idea what it is I want?" Alastor asked as he looked across the floor at me. He seemed to be studying me, probably trying to figure out when he could stab me in the back and get back to the fire pit he came from.

"Well, I'm guessing you want my soul." The widening of the deer's grin was enough to give me conformation, "Well you ain't gonna get my soul." I replied smugly, watching in joy as Alastor stopped pacing and studied me some more. It was clear he didn't encounter this much whenever he was summoned.

"Oh, and why's that?" He tapped his foot to a silent rhythm, seeming to think I'd say something stupid, but I had a hidden ace up my sleeve. I did my research before I decided to pull this little stunt, and boy was I glad that I did.

"You see, although contract demons will try to either cheat you out of their deal and wreak havoc, or bargain for your soul, it doesn't always have to go down like that." Alastor tilted his head in question as I continued, making me think that he didn't have very many people do this level of work before summoning him, "You see, if you can offer the demon something that they would find of equal value to your own soul, you can trade that to them in turn for their services. All I have to do is offer something of equal value to my soul, and that's just what I'll do. I got plenty of time too, since no one ever comes down here, and you can't leave the pentagram until I break the seal for you." I noticed the frustration in the demon's eyes, and smiled. It's not every day you manage to corner a powerful demon, and leave them helpless.

"I'll admit, even though this situation is...inconvenient for me," Alastor spoke after a few moments of suspenseful silence passed between us, "you must have had to do a good amount of research to say such a thing with confidence. You have my respect for that, Anthony. Now, since there seems to be no way else out of this symbol, I guess it's time to see what else you can bargain in return for my services." Alastor sat cross legged on the ground, and I soon followed his lead. It was time to finally settle this deal.

"So, what is it we're gonna make a deal about?" I asked, not being able to contain my anticipation.

"Well, you don't really have anything else that I want, so how we make a compromise of sorts?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"How about you get me another soul within three weeks after your father's death, or I get yours?" The deer spoke like he was propositioning to let me borrow his car in return for a little help around his house for a week. How did he make soul binding deals so calmly?

"So after you kill my dad, I get three week to get you a soul, or you get mine?" I knew I probably sounded stupid repeating all of this, but I had to make sure I understood properly.

"Yes, does it sound good?"

"Yeah, deal!" I didn't care if the dear was immoral, I had to make sure my dad ended up dead. He had to end up dead, "Now how do we seal this? Blood pact, contract, or a handshake?" At that last suggestion, Alastor seemed to perk up.

"Yes, a handshake is good." Alastor got up and walked over to the edge of the pentagram, looking down at me with expectancy. I realized he wanted me to stand up, and quickly scrambled to my feet. As Alastor reached out his hand, not wanting to let doubt stop me, I grabbed his hand. This seemed to please the deer because I could feel his grip tighten around my hand.

A breeze blew through the basement, blowing out the candles. In between our two hands, a bright, blinding green glow suddenly filtered through, making me have to shield my eyes. I tried to pull my hand away in fear, but it was stuck on by some magical force. I felt a cold, spiking pain needle its way through my arm, making it feel like it would freeze in solid ice, then shatter into a million pieces. Through the blinding light, I managed to get a look at the floor beneath my feet, and much to my horror, the pentagram was gone. Through all of this, Alastor was laughing, laughing like he was experiencing the most entertaining thing in the world.