Fuck this place.
The store was dirty. Greasy windows with finger smudges that look years old greet James every morning at 7/11. The store was managed by a crappy old dude that never steps foot inside the store, leaving James to run it all himself, which he does obediently. Each and everyday James comes in and works in silence, customers never get more than a "find everything alright?" and even then, he might just ring you up with only the sound of coins being counted.
James was young, but if you saw him when you walked into your local 7/11 you would think he's on the brink of death. Sandbags lay etched under his green eyes, hidden by long brown hair he grew out because for him, leaving the house during non work hours was pointless. But if you ever managed to look into his eyes, there are rumors floating around that it's an abyss. The green eyes have been dulled by monotony, hollow and empty from seeing the same sight over and over again, you would see more spark of life from eyes of someone lying in a casket.
James has given up.
I have been working the over-night shifts for the past week, fuck this place. I haven't seen the sun in days...DAYS. I have become a slave to my work, my "passions" have long since been lost to tired days and busy nights. I am no one and have become nothing. A side character, here to give help you check out when you want to buy some fucking zynns or cigs. I know that I'm supposed to find the bright side in everything, or at least that's what my therapist told me; but please, tell me where is there a silver lining?
Oh shit, here comes another customer.
The man walked in wearing all black. His silver lined boots clicking and clacking every step he walked. He was tall at least 6'2 or 6'3, his silver hair made him look unreal, as if he came straight out of a web novel. But James noticed only one thing, the man's eyes. They were sharp, when James looked up at the man, who made a bee line straight for him, goosebumps tried to warn James, RUN AWAY.
"C-Can I help you with anything" James stuttered out, feeling queasy and scared. Not understanding how or why, but knowing this was a man he feared. James locked eyes with the mans jacket, not daring to look into his eyes again. But James got lost just staring at the jacket, it was extravagant. The black fur glistened in the dim store light, moving around as if being hit by the wind...wait how is it mov-
"You smell fantastic!" The man yelled out loud, with such enthusiasm it took James out of his thoughts. "Please I must know, what is making you so depressed? I haven't smelled such a stench since those French philosophizing douchebags a couple decades back." It was then that James noticed more strange things about the man, his eyes were ruby red, and they looked down on James with the same intensity as a hunter staring down their prey, and his teeth were all sharp. James slowly brought his head down, forgetting about the question he was asked, much more worried about the realization he's had.
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This man was not human.
WHAT THE FUCK. This just had to happen to me didn't it. I don't even know what the fuck to do here, there is a literal fucking monster in the store right now. On all nights a monster decides to just appear it had to be tonight, This has to be a prank. Maybe I'm on one of those shows right now, like Punk'd or whatever it's called. But if it's not, and this is a real monster here, does it even matter anymore? If this "man" is here to kill me, what can I do?
"Wow, that's impressive. You were scared for only 10 seconds before you just gave up. Those are some impressive feats. But no, this isn't a prank sorry kid." The man says, nodding his head in approval of James's ability to just give up. "Before anything, allow me to introduce myself, you can call me Sloth." Finishing his introduction with a reached out hand, waiting for James to complete the handshake.
"You can read my mind? How is this fair." James says with a blank face, already given up on surviving this encounter. With the fear of death already accepted, the fear of the man in front of James vanished along with it. Now all that's left is nothing, an abyss that James is already used to.
"It's not supposed to be fair, I'm a demon you see." Sloth responds back with a monotone voice, all the fun of the situation leaving alongside Jame's fear. The two stare at each other, an awkward tension creeping between the two.
"So...are you here to kill me?" James asked, not really knowing what to do or say. He doesn't really know why a demon would be after him, I mean, he's lived just an average life. James hadn't made any mortal enemies who would summon a demon to kill him, or broke a girls heart crudely enough to earn this as revenge, in Jame's perspective, he's just a depressed 24 year old dude. But before James could think more about why a demon was after him, his mouth moved quicker than his brain, "also, your name is Sloth? You couldn't have been a bit more creative with your name?" he blurted out.
I am gonna die. If he wasn't before, he is definitely going to kill me after that.
A hearty laugh followed. Sloth began slapping the counter top as a fit of laughter escaped from his mouth.
"That's what you're wondering, why my name is boring" Sloth manages to say between his laughing. "Man, you are one interesting dude, and no I'm not here to kill you. It's the opposite actually." Sloth says as his laughing comes to an end.
"Then what are you here for?" James questions, wondering why a demon would need him.
"Im taking you to Hell. You're going to be my champion." Sloth replied happily, with a smile that bared fangs and a promise of danger.
"What the fuck."
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This was a quick one-shot I wrote, I am definitely not the best with grammar or anything like that, so any mistakes spotted lmk!