Devil’s Choice
“I’m going to give you a choice I never had” intoned the tall hooded figure. “A choice tonight, and knowledge that you will carry with you forever.” The cool wind rustled his black robes as he took a few steps forward. His feet slammed down, and the echoes were swallowed by the night. A witch and a demon stood silently in recognition of his presence. Their words of summoning had echoed and disappeared much like the footsteps that followed them. The hooded figure stopped and looked down upon the pair, his arms crossed behind his back. A light emanated from behind him and cast his already cloaked features further into darkness. “Choice. You may not, as of yet, understand the power a decision can make one your life. Perhaps a decision you make tonight, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to you at first, will have tremendous, incalculable consequences for yourself at some point far in your future.
The witch’s long black hair swung gently over her shoulders and down her back. The demon, her companion, stood slightly behind her on her left side. His wide, staring eyes and jagged fangs stood out on his dark red face, even in the dim light. Both seemed too awed to speak up.
“And not only can a single choice have unimaginable power over your life, but the life of others around you, even those you may not know or ever meet A few simple words can ricochet around the world and hit someone like an avalanche.” Hands still clasped behind his back, the hooded figure leaned forward and stared down at the diminutive pair. “And, you cannot, you dare not, forget, that while your choices can have such unbelievable power, there are billions upon billions of beings throughout space and time that have a similar power over you!”
The hooded figure straightened upright. “I can only hope you will learn something from our little encounter on this special night. Remember to make your choices carefully, for you may be unprepared for the possible ramifications of that choice. And be wary of those around you, as they may not be so careful.”
Leaning forward again, the hooded figure brought his hands from behind his back, offering a bowl that flashed in silver and gold.
“Now, kids, would you like a Twix bar or a Three Musketeers?”