By N. P. Dobbin   for  www.allthingsspooky.com
© Copyright  14^th June 2007

 Emma smiled as she looked up at the high-rise building blocking the sun.
She was six months into a very sort after internship at Harold, Elliot, Lane, Lakes and Associates.  Learning from the top lawyers in the tri state area was a dream come true.  Between the partners they had never lost a case.  If Emma was going to be a successful lawyer, this is where she would learn how.

 Walking through the foyer, greeting the regulars she had come to know, she managed to make it into the lift before the doors closed. Once inside her eyes dropped as always to a particular button. Below the basement button was a small gold one with an S engraved on it. Next to the button was a keyhole. Emma had long ago decided that it was something that only the partners had access to, however it didn’t stop her wondering about what was there once the door opened on that particular floor.

 Humming softly as the lift stopped on her floor, Emma made her way to the small desk that had been allocated to her. A piece of paper with the office logo was awaiting her arrival. Emma could feel her heart rise in her throat. The note reminded her that it was her evaluation day. This meeting with the partners could start her on the road to success.  Make or break time. 

 Before Emma knew it she was called to go to the partners' office. They welcomed her in, asking her to sit down. Nervously Emma obliged.

 “Well Emma, we have been impressed by your work so far.” The lead partner began.  “You have an amazing gift of taking in and understanding everything you have been taught these past few months.”

 “Thank you.” Emma replied a bit stunned. She was surprised they had noticed as she had rarely seen the partners outside of the courtroom.

“We are so impressed with you we have an offer we think you will be interested in.” He continued.

“Really?” Emma asked unable to keep the surprise out of her voice.

“Really.” The partner said smiling. “We would like to offer you a permanent position here and believe that in a few short years you could be one of our lead prosecutors. Are you interested?”

“Y Y Yes very much, thank you,” Emma stammered.

“Good to hear. Now follow me.” The partner said as he stood up.

 The partner walked Emma to the lift and after entering, pressed the basement button. The lift began it’s descent. Emma watched the numbers light up as they passed each floor and felt the lift stop as the basement light went on. She went to step forward as if to get out, but the partner stopped her.
 “We are not there yet.” He inserted a small key into the slot next to the gold button and pushed it.  With the anticipation of finding out where the S button went, Emma felt the lift once again start to descend. It began to get quite hot inside the lift and Emma was wondering when it would stop. The lift seemed to descend for ages. After what seemed like an hour it came to a shuddering halt.
As the doors opened the heat that entered the small confined space made her eyes water. Blinking quickly Emma stared out in horror.  
There were dead and decaying bodies lying in piles. Weird looking monsters were carting the dead around and some were setting the piles on fire.  There were screams filling her ears as men and women were tortured.  The smell of burning flesh filled her nostrils.  The partner pushed her stumbling out of the lift.  He manhandled her towards a large door flanked by two more of the monsters.  Shocked by what was going on around her, Emma barely noticed the door opening and a figure walking out.

 “Welcome to Harold, Elliot, Lane, Lakes and Associates.” A stately voice called out to her. 
Emma looked at the figure walking towards her.  The glare of the fires shimmered off his red skin and danced in the shininess of his horns.  His tail snaked back and forth in an almost feline way. The cloven hoofs made a soft, hollow sound on the brimstone floor.

“Or HELL as we like to call it down here. My name is Lucifer.” The devil was holding some papers, which he handed to Emma.

 “We are the keepers to the gates of hell.” The partner whispered into her ear. “Yes.” The devil said smiling. “They made a deal with me. Protect the gates and give me their souls.  In return I give them all the success and money they want. This is the offer I now give to you.”

 “What if I don’t want it?” Emma asked terrified of what was happening.

“Then you die.” Sneered the devil.  He produced a small knife and handed it to Emma.

“What is that for?” she asked on the verge of tears. She didn’t want this but she didn’t want to die either.

“All contracts with Lucifer are to be made in blood.” Whispered the partner.

Emma slowly pricked her finger with the knife and pressed it to the paper. As she did she could feel her conscience melt away and a small sly grin cross her face.

 “So where’s my office?”

Copyright © 2007