This story is by j.w. jimerson and was part of our 2024 Spring Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

My last hope was a rundown bar at the intersection of two rundown streets in a desolate, rundown part of town. Crossroads, what an original name for a bar. The place is sleazy and smells of stale beer and rotten people.

 

My parole officer says I need to get clean and get a job, or I’ll end up back behind bars. My mother agrees with him.

“Get your life together. You can start with praying for help.” is her favorite mantra. I hear it every day.

It’s not like I haven’t been trying, though. In fact, that’s why I’m here. If Luxuria’s claim is true, I’ll have everything I need and want after this deal. She told me that she and her partners could help me and that I wouldn’t have to pay for a long, long time.

Luxuria works with some very connected people, and each one supposedly has a specialty.  Simone, my cellmate from County, turned me on to Luxuria, and not only did she get her clean, but she’s now a big-time dealer now.

 

I scan the bar for anyone I think might be her; I’m sure Luxuria isn’t her real name, but today, who knows?

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I feel a presence behind me. A silky and seductive voice whispers in my ear.

“Hello, Toni.”

Startled, I turned to find myself face to face with a gorgeous woman dressed in an immaculate Gucci business suit. Her feet are covered in Prada shoes, diamond earrings decorate her perfect ears, gold rings adorn each manicured finger, and the biggest ruby pendant I have ever seen sits regally around her neck.

 

My heart quickened, and a chill slowly crept up my spine. “Luxuria?” my voice barely above a whisper.

 

“Call me Lux. Luxuria is so…old. Perhaps we should take a seat someplace more private…. That table, perhaps.” She points to a table concealed in the darkness at the room’s far corner.

 

“But there’s a bunch of guys already sitting there” I whisper.

She smiles a set of perfect teeth. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

 

When we hit the table, heads turn in our direction. A big guy who smells of sweat and cheap cologne licks his lips like a starving dog eyeing a piece of raw meat and grabs his crotch.

 

“You ladies must be looking for a good time. Well, you come to the right place.”

Laughter erupts around the table.

Lux looks the man up and down.

“We don’t need you for a good time. Now get lost. I want this table.”

What happened next shocked the crap out of me.

The big man jumped to his feet and stumbled as he took an aggressive step toward Lux. He tripped and fell head-first into the corner of the table.

Lux smiles slightly. Every eye at the table was wide with disbelief, or was it fear?

“The rest of you dogs help your poor friend up and get out of here.”

To my surprise, the men obeyed like trained circus animals.

 

“Wow. I’ve never seen anything like that. You must have some big connections.” I said a little too eagerly.

Lux takes a seat at the now-empty table. “You could say that. However, I am but a humble messenger, a conduit for those who seek to offer… possibilities for people like you.”

 

My curiosity mingled with apprehension and fear.  Despite her beauty and glamour, there was something chilling about her.

 

“I have another appointment, so let’s get straight to business. I going to connect you with some of my people, for lack of a better word. My boss is a master of power, of wealth, of pleasures beyond imagination, all within your grasp if only you would agree to a simple bargain.”

 

“What kind of bargain?

There’s that perfect smile again, but it’s more wicked this time.

 

“I’ll give you six days to decide. Each night one of my associates will make you an offer. Each one has her own specialty. Then you decide who you want to work with. We’ll discuss the costs after you decide. ”

 

I followed Lux out of Crossroads, and watched as She climbed into a jet-black Ferrari and drove away. For some reason, I felt like I needed a shower.

 

I didn’t know what to think about our meeting, but I had a strange feeling the rest of the night. I felt dirty, like I was covered in something I couldn’t get rid of.

***

The next night, I got a visit from Superbia. She insisted that I call her Sue. I had no idea how she knew where I lived. She was adorned in regal attire and spoke of glory and renown. “With my guidance,” Sue promised, “you’ll be hailed as the greatest in whatever you desire.” The things she showed me were beyond my wildest dreams.

 

On the second night, Invidia emerged from the shadows, her eyes burning with covetous desire. “Why settle for what you have,” Invi whispered, “when you could possess all that others hold dear. With me by your side, you shall never again yearn for that which belongs to another.”

 

Over the next six nights, my world turned upside down. Each night brought a new temptation, each more alluring than the last. I found myself torn between the life I knew and the tantalizing promises of the Luxuria’s associates. Time seemed to stand still or move at blinding speed. I didn’t know which.

 

In one instance, I was a rich and powerful drug dealer. In another, I was the desire of every man and woman who crossed my path. I was a famous chef who prepared meals no human could resist. I was an assassin in one life, and in a another, a business tycoon whom everyone feared. It was as Lux promised. The possibilities were endless and unfathomable, and I wanted them all.

 

When I awoke on the seventh day, I found Mother hovering over me, praying.

 

“What are you doing, Mother?” I didn’t know why, but I was really pissed.

 

“You’ve been asleep for seven days. You haven’t eaten, showered, or anything else. I don’t know what drugs you’re using, but you’re going to kill yourself living like this. You’re, letting the demons take control of your life.

 

Demons? Was she serious?

“Get out Mother. I’m fine. Just leave me alone.”

She left without any argument.

 

Moments later, there was a loud knock at my door.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

It felt like the whole house shook.

Mother was in the front room, but she didn’t answer the door. That was odd.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The knocking was louder and more urgent.

I struggled to my feet, put on my robe, and headed to the front room.

 

Mom was passed out on the sofa, her Bible spread out on her chest. My heart started to beat like a drum. Just as I reached Mother, the front door opened, and Lux walked in, her form twisted into seductive curves and sultry elegance.

 

“Your mother is fine, Toni. I just put her to sleep so we can talk about our arrangement.”

Lux was different this time. Desperate, like she was covered with a skin of evil. I could almost taste it.

 

I looked at her, then at Mother. “Mother was right all along. You and your associates are demons, aren’t you?”

 

“For lack of a better word.”

 

Her voice went from a whisper to a hiss.

“So which one will it be? Money, power, ageless beauty, or endless pleasure? We can make all of your earthly desires come true, and it will only cost your soul, which you won’t have to forfeit for many years to come. And besides, you don’t believe in that sort of thing anyway.”

 

Suddenly, each of her associates entered the room. Gula, Superbia, Invidia, Ira, Acedia, and Avarita stood behind Luxuria, the most powerful of the seven deadly sins. The temptations and promises were too much. I knew I was making the wrong choice, and in the end, I would pay, but like using drugs, you don’t think about the consequences, only the pleasure.

I made my decision.

 

I kiss Mother on the forehead. Her Bible falls from her chest and lands open at my feet, and I stare at the words before me.

 

With trembling hands, I spoke the words that would seal my fate.

 

ONE YEAR LATER

I think back to the day I was tempted by the seven. I quietly read the verse that fell open at my feet that day. The promise that saved my life.

 

“The Lord will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way, but flee before you seven ways.”

“Deuteronomy 28:7

I’m not without my flaws, and I am far from perfect. But with the words “God Give me Strength.” Seven demons fled from me in seven ways.