In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have done the summoning ritual in the first place.
After browsing through some antique books at the thrift shop I usually haunt, Books and Baubles, I found instructions on how to summon a demon ironically tucked away inside a Bible.
I decided to do it, just for shits and giggles.
After getting the necessary supplies, I set everything up carefully, taking extra care to draw the curtains of my windows. I like those thick, heavy drapes that cancel out the sun at any time, so I have random lamps scattered strategically around my living room.
However, the ritual called for candles, so candles I'm using. I took the nice smelling vanilla one from my room, and scrounged up another one from the bathroom.
After placing the last item down on my floor, I sit back on my heels, admiring my handiwork. This should be an interesting break from my boring, monotonous life.
This particular ritual seemed like it's to summon a demon associated with the Christian faith. I didn't have a random cross just laying around, nor some holy water, so I'm using a little hand eye totem I bought a while ago.
The totem goes in a little sack made of fine velvet around my neck.
Taking a deep breath, I begin the ritual, glancing over at the paper every so often for reference.
I push all thoughts of failure and fear out of my head, instead opting to concentrate on what I'm doing. If I mess this up, I'm either going to go to bed very disappointed, very sick or very dead.
After minimal stumbling over Latin, and the beginnings of pins and needles in my legs, I've finally completed the ritual.
Breathing out, I hand up and dust my hands off, squinting around the room for any signs of otherworldly activity. There's no huge red skinned people, no flames of brimstone and the screams of the damned. Not even a single whiff a smoke.
Sighing, I bend over to gather my materials, when I feel a hand ghost over my back.
A strangled scream escapes my throat and I straighten up and jump away from whatever touched me, holding out my totem necklace in defense.
Deep, disembodied laughter echos around my room, and I wildly look around, fear churning in my stomach.
"Well, what do we have here?" My eyes are instantly drawn to a red, shimmering spot materialising in the middle of my living room, seemingly the origin of the voice.
A horn pokes through the rift, then a leg, followed by a body, and then someone is standing in my living room, eyes flashing dangerously in the candlelight.
"It worked?" I gape at the creature, momentarily forgetting the peril I'm in. I take a few steps forward, wanting to touch, but then I finally tune into the sound of the alarm bells blaring in my head.
The demon chuckles again as I scramble away from it again. Its tail, almost invisible in the low light, lashes behind its body. A neat, crisp-looking suit adorns its body, a blood-red tie completing the whole businessman look.
"It looks like you didn't summon me on accident, little human," It takes a step closer to me, its beautiful lips curved up into a sly smile. "But if you did do in on purpose, where's my offering?"
My blood freezes in my veins and I reach up to grab the totem again. I can feel my heart thundering in my chest, the fear leadening my footsteps.
"Offering?" I squeak out, dropping my gaze to the floor. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. "I didn't know I was supposed to have one of those."
The demon hums thoughtfully, and I can sense it getting closer to me. Unfortunately, there is only wall behind me, preventing me from going any further back.
"I suppose I'll just have to take one from you," It says almost gleefully. My gaze snaps up to look at it as my eyes widen in horror.
I didn't know that summoning a demon would have such a price to pay. Sure, I heard in shows and books about demons, but I don't think those would be a reliable source.
"What are you going to take?" I scrape whatever courage is left at the bottom of my barrel, and draw myself up. "My soul? I won't let you, I've asked you for nothing."
