A soul for the Devil

“Do you know the story of the son who loved his father deeply but had a different view of humanity. An angel who fell from the pedestal his father held him highly upon simply because he refused to bow. The favourite son, left to drown his sorrows through pain and chaos in the underworld and on earth. Depicted in many forms such as a red skinned monster walking on hoofs with horns on its head, or the hot bad boy who just wants to have fun. Used as a threat to mankind everywhere to ensure people would do the righteous thing. Rituals performed in his honour by those who were seen as outcasts in the most brutal ways.

Most know this story as the story of the devil, the leader of hell, Satan. The fallen son who broke his fathers heart. In many forms of media within the world, his story was seen as what happens if you don’t obey the commandments of the church or the higher power, god.

Lucifer Morningstar is known as the devil, but who is he to you? Is he a mistaken broken soul? Or is he what we believe he is? A liar. He didn’t care for his father. Should a son obey his father with blind faith? While you may question things, it is important to listen to thy father. For he has experience and knowledge from his age.” The pastor blabbered at the front of the church during the Sunday morning service. Chara had come along as a courtesy to her grandmother. She hadn’t been to a church since she had left home to start college, yet that weekend she found herself staying at her grandmother’s home for Easter. She had worn her nicest soft sky blue dress, matching it was white flats and a white shall. Her grandmother had taken the time to braid Chara’s hair into long ponytails on either side of her head. She had attempted to wear some soft brown eyeliner before her grandmother snatched the pen out of her hand and said “God sees us for who we are. Do not cover up your natural beauty with the devil’s makeup.”

Chara was never one to fight her grandmother’s wishes as she had always been the inspiration to Chara’s kind and giving nature. Chara tried her best to only see the good in people, the silver lining to a dark cloudy situation, but at that particular moment, Chara found herself angry at the pastor. No one should blindly follow anyone. Faith and trust are earned, maybe somewhere along the way Lucifer's father had broken that trust. Why shouldn’t he question things? When Chara was younger she may have asked her grandmother these questions, but at 23 Chara knew it was better to keep some thoughts and questions to herself.

“Please join me in closing our service today in a prayer and song before we begin our Easter festivities.” The pastor cheerfully instructed as everyone bowed their heads. “Our father, thou heart in heaven…”

Chara found herself lost in thought as the pastor led the prayer. The same questions swirling around in circles. Her train of thought was derailed as the tall man sitting next to her whispered into her ear.

“It’s not his intention to cause such dark questions in such a beautiful mind. Some may think those thoughts are unholy. Punishable by an afterlife in hell.”

Chara felt goosebumps coat her skin as ice ran through her veins. Had she said something out loud? Glancing to her grandmother as they stood to sing the final hymn, there had been no change in her demeanour as her grandmother laid her heads over her heart and sung with such faith and joy.

Turning her eyes to the voice, Chara was shocked to see the space was now empty. Had she received a message from god, telling her to smarten up? Or had the devil just warned her about a future?

Shaking her head, Chara stood up straighter. A moment of doubt was acceptable, everyone had them from time to time. That was normal. It was probably the man with the child behind her. She probably misheard what had been said.

The hymn ended shortly after Chara fully collected herself. Following the people to the large yard behind the church, she smiled as the warm sun touched her skin.

“Such a wonderful service this morning Pastor Ryan!” Her grandmother gushed, taking the pastor’s hand in her own.

“Why thank you Gretal!” The pastor said over the laughter of children finding the Easter eggs on the lawn. “And thank you Chara for joining us this weekend! It was a blessing to have you here!”

“Thank you Pastor! I was happy to accompany Grandmother, I haven’t realised how much I missed her since I left for college.” Chara spoke sweetly.

“Well, God has a plan for each of us. Follow the righteous road and he shall always lead you home.” Pastor Ryan said gently shaking Charas hand before dismissing himself.

“Chara, would you mind grabbing me a drink? All that singing has left me quite thirsty.” Her grandmother requested as she stepped towards a chair on the lawn next to several other seniors.

“Of course grandma.” Chara said happily as she began to make her way towards the table of treats.

“Hello again, Chara.” A deep voice spoke beside her suddenly, startling her as he calmly walked next to her towards the table.

“Oh hello,my apologies, but I can’t seem to match your face to a name.” She said with a sincere voice as she picked up a paper cup of water .

“No worries darling. I just wanted to check on you after the service, your father seemed shaken.” He spoke, sending chills down Chara’s spine. Her hand lost its strength, allowing the cup to tumble from her hand to the grass, soaking her shoes.

“I-I’m sorry?” She asked, thinking back to the prayer.

“Relax, your secrets are safe with me.” He said retracing his own cup of water. “Have a wonderful Easter, Chara.”

Frozen in shock, Chara watched as the tall man walked away from her and towards the parking lot.

“Chara my dear? Are you alright? Oh your shoes are soaked! Take them off and let them dry in the sun!” Her grandmother fussed, breaking her out of her trance.

“I’m alright Grandma, sorry.” She said, picking up the paper cup. “Hey grandma, do you know that man I was speaking to?”

“No my dear, he must be new to town! How exciting! Maybe you’ll see him at dinner, we invited the Morningstars over for dinner.” Her grandmother smiled sweetly./

“I’m sorry who?” Chara gasped. Her grandmother couldn’t have said Morningstar could she?

“The Mostars, my dear. Maybe it was one of their children? Your grandfather invited them over for dinner. Such a sweet family, well the parents at least. The father is a doctor, the mother works in the library and volunteers at the soup kitchen, they have two sons about your age.”

“Right, the Mostars.” Chara said as her thoughts drifted away.