In a spacious room of a quaint house in Grosse Pointe Michigan one could find Emily Richardson, most likely peering at her reflection in the mirror. For sixteen years Emily had been coddled and admired by family and friends. Since birth adults would woo over the young infant picturing the beauty the child would become. As she grew up eyes do not stray far from the breathtaking beauty. Her hair, a warm chestnut brown tumbled down her back and lied just above her waist. Her piercing sea-foam blue eyes were chilling. Emily was not oblivious to the admiration; in fact some say she, herself, was the biggest admirer. Emily yearned for the attention and was only satisfied after the compliments of another. She could spend hours admiring her reflection in the mirror yet never be fully satisfied. She always craved more beauty to treasure. She lived a wonderful life, as a child with two loving parents, growing up in a beautiful and safe community. However, this was never quite enough to satisfy Emily, rarely anything was.
The real story begins on a still August day. A sticky heat hung in the air and a murky haze surrounded the town like a blanket engulfing the sunshine. The weather came suddenly and without much warning however the people of Grosse Pointe just shook their heads and blamed Mother Nature. It was 11th grade registration day at Grosse Pointe South. After spending some time focusing on her appearance Emily headed to the school. Her hair was pulled back by the Ray-bans resting on her head and on her feet she wore the newest Tory Burch flip flops. As she approached the sign up desk in Cleminson Hall she spotted her best friend Victoria. Before greeting her Emily made sure Victoria was not dressed better than her, and only after she was completely satisfied that she was still prettier did she embrace her. The two friends spent their time showing off their newest possessions and judging the girls who walked past. As Victoria was showing off her new iPhone Emily made a snarky comment on a girl’s beach blonde hair, which she secretly envied. Emily was taken aback when Victoria stuck up for the girl whom she had befriended over the summer. People rarely disagreed with Emily and feeling betrayed she stormed away. To avoid talking to whom Emily referred to as the desperate she stomped up the ancient spiral staircase in Cleminson Hall. Once she reached the top she inhaled slowly and reminded herself that Victoria could never be as pretty as her, providing some comfort. Right before stepping down Emily noticed a door to her left that she had not seen before. Tempted to go inside Emily opened the door which lead to a dim lit room that matched the grand and elegant look of Cleminson Hall. Next to the light in the corner sat a figure wrapped in a black cape. Believing this whole set up to be a practical joke Emily had no fear of approaching closer. She noticed that the figure carried a shovel in his left hand.
“Ha-Ha.” mocked Emily.
But when the man looked up Emily gasped for a pair of beaming red eyes looked straight back into hers. Transfixed, Emily was not afraid as she was interested. As she studied this character closer she noticed that his skin was grimy with dirt, which seemed to be permanently embedded in. His jet black hair hung to his shoulders and he wore a red sash that matched his eyes.
“I can make you happy Emily, you know I can, for you know exactly who I am, the man from below.” he beckoned.
“Hm, and what can you do for me?” questioned Emily, intrigued but not quite certain.
“I can give you all the beauty in the world Emily; you would never have to compare yourself to anyone ever again. I could make you so beautiful that you would have a thousand guys at your feet and a thousand girls worshiping you. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted Emily? And all you have to give me in return is you soul. A equal exchange for the pleasure I am giving you.”
Emily imagined what life would be like. The power and pleasure she would get from such beauty. She pictured herself stopping heads wherever she went. The gaping stares she would receive from her peers. Without a second thought she was convinced that that is what she wanted.
“I’ll do it. But how do I know your telling the truth?” she questioned.
The man in black simply pointed to a rat scurrying by her feet, and then next to a rat on the other side of her, laying dead on its back.
“That rat is a soul that I have helped before, looks quite plump and content doesn’t it?” the man asked with a sinister smile. “The other, well it was not so lucky. I am giving you a great opportunity Emily, for all the beauty in the world, what do you say?”
Without hesitation Emily replied with a firm “Yes.”
In a daze Emily opened her eyes and saw herself at the base of the spiral staircase. She questioned all that just happened in that dark room. That is until she looked around her. She noticed that everyone in Cleminson Hall looked haggard and worn. As she rushed to the bathroom and stared at herself through the reflection she noticed that none of her features had changed. She quickly realized that she was not changed; only the people around her were. Stepping out of the bathroom she saw the hall full of her classmates now looking distressed and scraggly.
“No!” she cried out. “Devil take me now if this is what I asked for!” she screeched.
A door slammed and a gush of wind blew in a dark figure wrapped in a black cape. Emily Richardson gasped for the last time before being swept into the arms of the Devil and never to be seen again. For that is exactly what Emily asked for. And if one was ever again to find that dim light room at the top of the spiral staircase, there would be one less content, plump rat and in its place a lifeless creature, dead on its back.
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