One More Day pt. 5

"Um listen, I think there has been some kind of mistake." Peter says confused, putting an arm in front of Rachael protectively.

"Mistake? No mistake. I've been waiting for you. I've been waiting for you all your life." The woman says.

"You know ever since we walked into this neighborhood it's been the most surreal- I mean I've had dreams like this." Peter says.

"How do you know this isn't a dream? How do you know you're whole life hasn't been a dream? Maybe this is you finally waking up." The woman says.

"Yeah, well if I wake up as Adolf Hitler in the shower, or Idina Menzel as a cockroach, I'm going to be really pissed." Peter says.

"There are some cultures that believe we have dream selves, each as real as our waking selves... each living alternate lives, alternate futures, alternate destinies...and that it is only at the crossroads of dreaming that we met them." The woman says.

"Sorry never believed is that sort of thing." Peter says making Rachael roll her eyes at him.

"That's too bad. Because you just met some of them on your way here. You see our destinies are not written in huge brush strokes but in the finest of detail. A missed cab, a party unattended, a field trip to a lab, a web in the right place at the right time. But what happens if we make the tiniest of change? Just a single sentence..and the future changes forever. And what happens? In one reality, your rage and resentment turn inward. You pull away from society from a world you cannot control, that will never recognize your potential. Losing yourself instead in worlds you can control. Because they are not real. And lose sight of your full potential. In another reality, another self, you direct that anger outwards, towards proving that you have worth, that you have value. But mainly because you want to earn enough money to grind those who laughed at you into the ground. The patents come and the money follows, you're a billionaire by thirty. You've proven yourself to the corporations, to Wall Street, to the press, still fighting shadows, still paying off old resentments, still thinking 'I'll show you' of people who stopped thinking about you years ago. To prove yourself to everyone except yourself." The woman goes on to explain. Peter took Rachael's hand protectively. "Those are only two out of an infinite number of possibilities...alternate Parkers...though I confess I find it interesting that in nearly all of those iterations, you end up alone."

"Yeah? Is that so? So in which of those iterations do I end up a little girl?" Peter asks.

"Pete, I'm pretty sure that wasn't-" Rachael says softly.

"Oh that? That's another story, you're not ready to hear that one yet, and I'm not ready to tell it. Soon though." The woman says.

"Okay, look I don't know who you are or what game you're playing but I officially just stopped caring. I've got more important things to do and not a lot of time." Peter scoffs.

"Actually, time is all you have. And as for these important things you've already failed. Everyone's told you the same thing. Your aunt is going to die and there is nothing you can do about it." The woman says her eyes glowing red as she starts to grow and transform. "But I can. I am the only one who can save her."

The demonic voice comes from the devil himself as he transforms back into his normal form.

"Mephisto..." Rachael mutters as they take a few steps back.

"I told you destinies are made up of the thinnest brush strokes. The finest details, some of these details I am not allowed to touch, but others can be touched with permission of the ones involved. Where everyone else has failed I can guarantee that I can and will save her life." Mephisto explains.

"And in return you want my soul, Is that it..." Peter huffs.

"Your soul? Hardly. I stopped making that deal with people ages ago. Do you know what someone does in Hell who has sold his or her soul to help someone else? They suffer righteously, nobly sustained through eternity by the knowledge that they save someone else. And really where is the fun in that? Besides knowing what's to come there's still more than even chance I'll get your soul straight-up, and that's a far more appetizing prospect. No, in cases like this, I️ traffic in far more elegant and satisfying currency than souls, Mr. Parker. I deal in the currency of misery, loss, despair, hopelessness, pain, regret, and sadness. They are as sweet to me as the most beautiful music ever composed. I will go anywhere, do anything, for the sound of a soul in pain." Mephisto smirks, moving closer to Peter. "You said you'd do anything to save her. Is that true, or was it just a lie? Are you or are you not interested in the terms of bargaining?"

Peter looks away grabbing Rachael's hand and squeezing it. "Anything that big...I...can't answer alone."

"But of course. I wouldn't have it any other way." Mephisto smirks. "Good think she's here."

Peter took a protective stance in front of Rachael. "Enough of the games. You don't want my soul. So what do you want?"

"What I want is greater than what one paltry soul can provide me. What I want is the one thing in the universe that is truly greater than the sum of its parts and tastier than any single soul I could devour. I want that which gives you joy, that which sustains you in your moments of greatest despair. The source not of your power, but of your strength. Your happiness, your dreams and your passion. I want your love. I want your marriage." Mephisto grins sinisterly.

Rachael and Peter looked up at him shocked exchanging glances. "Well... let me tell you where you can shove your offer-" Peter shouts.

"Wait, Peter...if he really has the power to do what he says he can, let's at least here him out..." Rachael says turning him to look at her. "What do you want, Mephisto? What are your terms?"

"Ah, you're obviously the sensible one. I'm so glad you asked. Let's just say this...Enjoy the world as it is for as long as you can. For you only have it for one more day." Mephisto says. "You will not consciously remember this bargain, or this moment, or the life you lived to this point. But there will be a very small part of your soul that will remember, that will know what you lost. And my joy will be in listening to that part of your soul screaming through eternity. You have until midnight tomorrow to say yes. At that instant, you will either lose your marriage or you aunt. Either way, the world you know, the would you care about and have fought so hard to protect...will be at an end."