A Favor (Chapters 1-3)

Sky, a musician who cant finish his work has the opportunity to sell his soul for success and a chance at fixing the problems between him and his mother. Will he sell his soul ?

Chapter 1 - The Edge

Sky is a 24 year old musician-hopeful from Chicago. He has been writing music for years but has never finished a song. He has talent and a voice you would never forget. There was just something missing. I guess some would say it was writers block, Most would say it was a road block. An obstacle he couldn't get around. It was like Sky was caught in a web of money that he couldn't touch, a web that he would never be freed from. Sky had what it took to the be a star, but he doesn't have what he needs, and that is motivation. Sky's has always been up and down with his family, mainly his mother. He always felt like he owes her something for the nothing she's done for him in such a long time. That's just the type of person Sky was. From when Sky was a kid his mother was addicted to crack. She did everything he could. He always loved her and he always will. I guess sometimes in life no matter how bad things could be, Sky always found a reason to make them better if he could. He felt sorry for his mother but even sorrier for himself. He knew she needed him and he needed her. The drugs just clouded the picture. Sky couldn't go a day or even a minute without thinking of his mother. It took a toll on his work and creativity as a musician.

Sky was talented, very talented. He also had a friend named Slim he met at the heroine recovery clinic "Rays of Hope" while both men were visiting their mothers. Sky and Slim shared many similarities. You could barely tell them apart. with their long black hair, matching 5 o'clock shadows and tattoos. Slim was a good friend but he was that nagging devil on your shoulder, whispering, crying, and begging you to do things you couldn't imagine yourself doing. At the same time, Sky was the angel on Slim's shoulder. Sky only did what he was used to, and that's take care of those around him, those of whom he loved, even if they didn't love him. Their bond grew strong, quick. It wasn't until a wild night with Slim, when Sky tried a prescription pill. He felt amazing, but the reality of his problems only seemed more real than they ever have. Sky started to slip, not caring, it wasn't like him. He still was there for his mother. Whenever he felt like escaping he would call Slim and they would get together and work on music they'd never get finished even if it took them years. They were just wasting time, and they knew it.

Slim had a bit more talent than Sky, but he was also held back by demons. Something which he really believed. He quietly talked to Sky one night about how someone offered him a shot a success in exchange and promised that Slim's mother would heal from recovery and something he called a Favor. He said he met a man. He was tall, and had eyes that could pierce through steel, a stoned look on his face, and it showed no emotion. For some reason you just knew he was telling the truth. Slim said he could feel it. The tall man proceeded to tell Slim that there was a place. A place where you go and and you trade your soul for success. He said you become a soldier in the armies of Hell. There was only one catch, he said, you would have an untimely death after reaching your highest point of success and depending on the decisions you make, your job in hell is determined. Slim said that the man called it a rank of some sort.

Chapter 2 - Free Fall

The man told Slim that after he left, this place he called The Den, your soul is already gone because there's no way you are going to turn down an offer like that. Especially when you know how much good you could do with of the benefits of success.Slim said he couldn't help but think about his mother. She was getting weaker by the day he said. That's the part that grabbed Sky's attention the most, just as his counterpart Slim. No son could go on living through life with such a heavy burden on his back. He would rather life the weight off of his loved ones and lift them to their feet when they fell. He would also like to get a taste of success no matter how long he had. Even more when you know you just don't have whatever it is that makes one great. Good doesn't cut it. All of these emotions bounced around in Sky's head that night he talked to Slim. Sky knows every one has demons, but what Slim was telling him was hard to believe. He maybe thought Slim had made all of this up, being that he was drunk and had taken plenty of pain killers. Either way, they both agreed to take a trip to this place. This place is supposed to be deep in the woods in some sort of underground lair about 20 miles north of their exact location.

Slim said the man of no emotion was supposed to visit him in a week.He figured Slim would need time to think about it.The man was sure that Slim would take him up on his offer. Sky wasn't as sure, but he was giving it serious thought. He figured his soul was worth the price of success and better the chances of his mother recovering. He thought that money healed all things, that's what his mother always told him. If she see that his music career was starting to blossom then could inspire her to get clean, for good. Days passed, Sky was growing more sure that he would go through with "The Favor". He had nothing to lose, and seemingly everything to gain. He wasn't afraid of going to Hell, he always thought burn there, for eternity because of the sins of his mother and neglect of her. Not to mention Sky, had his secrets. But nobody was close enough to know anything, and he could hide an elephant in a New York apartment if he wanted so he had no problem hiding anything.

Sky wanted to appear to be an angel of some sort, but his mother wouldn't allow him to do that. She always made Sky look bad. Sky stuck by her anyway. Often, his mother didn't want any help, she goes through swift mood swings. Sky thinks she could be purposely taking her own life by way of drugs. Sky and his mother didn't have much family, and the family they did have was never around for either of them. Sky's mother suffered the same fate as her son when she was young. Only it was her father who was the addict. He eventually died, and left her with nothing. She was another victim, and now she is placing that label on her own son.She was never as strong as Sky. Bonding was easy for him but it wasn't easy for people to accept what he had come from. He knew what he had to do to fix everything. Even if that meant his soul, he needed that Favor. Family isn't the only reason he wants to commit to it. Sky always the spotlight, and now was he only chance to shine in it. He knew he couldn't do it alone, not with his mother on his mind every second of every day. He was a slave to his own talent, his own thoughts. He could finally work with a clear mind. Sky was ready.

Chapter 3 - Decent

Days passed and Slim was growing worried. He thought he would have heard from the hooded man by now. He was anxious to get a taste of the good life. He could see himself now, his name in the lights, his voice flowing over a crowd of thousands as they grasp on to his every word. The fame was so close and he couldn't wait any longer. He decided to call Sky and ask if he would go with him to the place where he met the man. Sky cautiously agreed. They met around 7pm, it was already dark outside. They proceeded to to the antique shop across town. They arrived, the shop had a closed sign. Slim grew more worried and Sky was ready to go. That's when Slim's phone had rang. He didn't recognize the number so he didn't pick up. Then it rang again, same number. Slim picked up and it was the mysterious man. Slim was confused because he didn't remember exchanging phone numbers. Slim gave the man his address and the man said he would come by. Slim didn't care about any of that. The man told Slim to go around back and there's an open door. They went in, down a flight of stairs lit by candles. Both Slim and Sky's hearts were almost beating out of their chests.

At the bottom of the steps stood a dark hooded figure holding a candle. He told them to come. He said he already knew what they wanted and they would have to go as soon as possible, if even now. They were both ready. The man lead they way to their cars, he took the front passenger seat. They pulled off. On the way the man was silent. He only pointed to the direction he wanted Slim to drive in. Sky sat in the back and he felt this sense of security even though he was terrified of this man. He stared at the man and took note of his every move. They could tell they were getting close because the dark seemed to be getting darker and the trees started to look different. They had no idea where they were and they both felt lost. A weird mist covered the road and sounds came from the woods that they couldn't identify. The man raised his hand and mumbled, stop. The car came to a still. The man got out of the car and Sky and Slim frightfully followed. The brushed through the trees, it was too quiet. Slim tried to spark up conversation but got no reply from their unpleasant company. The man stopped, he came to a kneel and started to clear the leaves from the ground in front of him. He got up and pointed and there was a door of some sort with an extensive string attached. Slim and Sky knew this was the gateway to hell.

The man pulled the string and the door swung open. The man pulled out something from his pocket. It was mushrooms, a drug neither Sky or Slim had ever done. They didn't want them. The man insisted they took the magical drug or they would regret it. That's all he had to say, and they both crammed the mushrooms down their throats in hopes of avoiding the bitter taste. The man told them that now they could see the truth in it's rightful form. Reality started to fade and they seemed to be moving but they didn't feel like they were doing it on their own. They hovered it seemed. Down the stairs they went. Memories flashed, voices played with their minds. Their mothers whispered in their ears, save them they said. Sky and Slim felt powerless. They could hear their hearts beating slowly, and getting even slower. They came to an infirm stop. It felt like a crash landing. Their minds cleared of everything, their hearts full of fear. It was time.