Jerry leaned back casually, smirking. "Nothing much. I just decided to tell you my story in live-action instead."
Johnson frowned, clearly not following. "I don't get it?"
Angela crossed her arms, sighing as though translating was now her duty. "He means that—"
But Jerry snapped his fingers before she could finish. "MEMONO!"
Instantly, the entire group was pulled into a swirl of energy, their surroundings shifting until they were standing in a different space. The cavernous echo of dripping water greeted them as the cold shadows of a cave unfolded around them. Before them, Raymond Rutherford stood trembling in the darkness, and across from him, the towering figure of Alastor emerged.
Johnson instinctively pulled Angela closer. "Where the hell are we?"
Rose adjusted quickly, her voice steady despite the eerie environment. "He means that he's going to take us into his story. Instead of just telling it, he's letting us watch it play out."
Angela's eyes widened. "Really? I didn't know you could enter into memories."
Johnson shook his head, baffled. "What else can you do? Because at this point, I don't even know what you are anymore."
Mary, meanwhile, was staring silently at the unfolding scene.
Jerry scoffed. "I never said I wanted to take anyone into my story. I only said you guys should watch how my story played out in live-action."
Angela tilted her head. "Meaning?"
Jerry gestured around the cave. "This—" he pointed to everything surrounding them, "—is a memory I experienced. It's so you can understand what I was explaining. And again, I don't like taking the third-person perspective because it would sound like a fairy tale. Y'all should just watch."
With another snap of his fingers, everyone suddenly found themselves sitting comfortably with snacks in their hands as though they were in a private theater.
The scene before them shifted.
From within the seal, Alastor emerged. His long hair glowed faintly, wings unfurling as a dark aura radiated from his body, shaking the air. The force of his presence alone was overwhelming.
Raymond fell to his knees in terror, bowing low. "Please kill me… please kill me! But before you do, fulfill my request."
Alastor tilted his head, laughing mischievously. "Are you the one who released me from the seal, human?"
Raymond nodded repeatedly, his body trembling. "Yes."
"Then why do you want me to kill you?" Alastor asked, voice dripping with curiosity. "Surely you must have come searching for power, or glory, or money, or energy. So why do you wish to die?"
Tears spilled down Raymond's face as he sobbed bitterly. "I have suffered more than anyone I know. I am just a poor, helpless beggar. The woman I love is dying because of a surgery forced on her by her superiors. I need your help. You are the only one I can turn to. Please… help me!"
Alastor's laughter echoed in the cave, sharp and cruel. "Kufufufufu… Hahaha! Son of man, you seem sincere and honest." His crimson eyes glimmered as he pressed closer, reading the man's heart. "But tell me—" he placed a clawed hand on Raymond's face, tilting it upwards, "—what would you give me if I helped you? If I gave you all your heart desires, erased your debt, and handed you a white picket-fence life?"
Raymond looked confused. "I… don't understand?"
"Oh come now, don't play dumb." Alastor's grin widened. "I know everything about you."
Raymond shuddered, terrified. "How do you know everything about me? We just met a few seconds ago!"
Alastor's claws tightened around his shoulder. "Oh, son of man. You have no idea how powerful I am…" He leaned close, whispering into Raymond's ear. "I know your father died while saving your pitiful little self from a fire. I know you lost your father's company to your uncle—the very man who is now your boss."
Raymond's eyes widened in shock. "How… how do you know that?! How do you know that?!" His voice cracked with terror.
Alastor chuckled, low and menacing. "You are angry, aren't you? Remembering that day when you should have died, yet your father perished instead—saving a child like you. And now, what have you become? A worthless beggar, suffering as though you were never loved. But what if I told you…" His grin stretched wickedly. "…that your uncle murdered your parents to claim their wealth and company?"
Raymond collapsed, sitting on the cold cave floor in confusion and horror. "But… but… he…"
"He what?" Alastor pressed. "He took you in? Did he treat you well? Didn't he abuse you, molest you, make your life a living hell?"
Raymond's face twisted with painful recollection. "Yes… he did. He beat me every day, locked me in the basement with freezing engines. I would go weeks without food. Most days, I had to drink my own piss for water…"
"And yet," Alastor sneered, returning to his position, "when you finished school, you still chose to work for him. How dumb are you, Raymond? So tell me—are you sure you don't want me to kill someone like that?"
Raymond shook his head, tears streaming down his cheeks. "No… I won't kill him. I'd rather wish him happiness in his life. I will make my own money."
"I see," Alastor murmured. "You won't kill him, but you would punish him instead. Make him suffer, won't you? I see you're a zesty one."
"No," Raymond cut in sharply. "I won't. I prefer to reclaim what belongs to me and leave the rest for God to punish him."
Alastor's eyes narrowed, irritation flickering. "I see. So you believe in God?"
"Yes, I do," Raymond said quietly. "But I know He has forgotten me. He hates me now."
"You are lying. You know that, right?" Alastor placed a clawed hand on his shoulder. "But it's okay to lie sometimes. The truth is, you prayed to God even before summoning me. Even now, in your heart, you still call on Him—hoping I won't snap off your head." His claw tapped against Raymond's chest.
Raymond's voice quivered. "You can… read minds?" His face turned pale, sweat pouring down his forehead.
Alastor sighed, almost bored. "You don't need to be so stressed. I'm not going to eat you. I'm simply telling you that you've been a good boy up until now." He stepped forward, the ray of sunlight piercing through the cave to illuminate his true form—long crimson hair flowing like fire, short horns crowning his head, sharp claws gleaming at his sides, and large wings spread menacingly behind him. Dressed in a dark coat, he looked every bit the demon king he claimed to be. "Now, human—" Alastor bent down, extending his hand toward Raymond, "—tell me. Do you want me to proceed and fulfill your request?"
Raymond looked into the demon's starry eyes, captivated yet wary. "How do I know you're not manipulating me? How can I trust you?"
Alastor sighed deeply. "I wouldn't actually lie to a human. What do I gain from lying when I can do whatever I want—with or without your permission? And besides, I will not lie to someone who saved my life. So no, I'm not manipulating you."
"Then tell me, demon," Raymond demanded cautiously. "What is your name, and what do you want? How did you know what I was thinking?"
"I can read your mind, obviously," Alastor smirked. "And the minds of anyone you think about."
Johnson suddenly raised a hand, interrupting. "Hold up, Jerry. Sorry for cutting in."
Jerry groaned, exasperated. "What is it now, John? Why must it always be you interrupting me?"
Johnson popped another peanut into his mouth. "I'm sorry. But what did the demon mean by saying he can read the minds of whoever you're thinking about?"
Rose leaned forward, explaining. "It's kind of like my ability, but different. While I can read your mind directly, his power works on another level."
Johnson frowned. "How so?"
Rose continued calmly. "He means that if you're thinking about someone, instead of looking for them, he can simply read your mind and then read the mind of the person you're thinking about."
Angela shivered, clutching Johnson tighter. "That sounds creepy…" She nibbled nervously on a nut. "I don't like demons. My mom abhors them. I'm scared of them."
Johnson patted her head softly. "It's okay. It's just a mental image projection. We're not really there, right Jerry?"
Jerry smiled reassuringly. "Yes, baby girl. You know I wouldn't scare you. Now can I continue?" He pointed at the paused scene.
Rose nodded. "Sure."
Mary raised her hand. "Wait. I'll need a drink. You got some, Jerry?"
Jerry snapped his fingers. "Sure… OPEN!" A bottle of vodka materialized, which he tossed at her.
Mary caught it telekinetically, uncorking it effortlessly. She took a long sip, exhaling. "You kids are amazing. Supernatural backstories, powers… I just feel left out of the flow." She took another swig.
Johnson smiled warmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. You can share your story too, Mom."
Mary froze, eyes wide. "Mom?" Her voice cracked as tears welled up. "…Thanks. Yeah. I think I'll do that."
Johnson patted her gently. "It's okay."
Jerry rolled his eyes. "You guys done?"
Johnson nodded. "Yes."
"Good." Jerry snapped his fingers and the paused scene continued.
Alastor's voice echoed again. "I can read your mind, and the mind of the person you're thinking about. That's how I knew what your uncle did. But I need something in exchange for my help."
Raymond stiffened. "What is it? My soul?"
Alastor grinned wickedly. "Normally, I'd love to take your soul. But no… this time I need something else. I want to remain in this form, in this world. So we'll have a bet. You just have to trust me that it will work."
Raymond frowned. "How can I trust you?… Do you believe in God?"
Alastor's grin faded into irritation. "Just believe it won't go sideways. And yes, I know God… but I don't believe in Him."
"Why?" Raymond whispered.
Alastor waved him off. "Do you want me to help you or not?"
"I'm sorry," Raymond said quickly, lowering his head. "Yes. I need your help."
"Then stop being a dick and let me proceed." Alastor sighed sharply. "I need to stay in this world, and to do that I need an anchor. Which means…"
Raymond's face drained of color. "You… will possess me?"
Alastor smirked, leaning forward. "Yes. So… are you in?"