Grandmother And Her Demon

Old Pema shuffled around her kitchen feeling her way through. At a soft volume, latin metal music hummed through her record player. And although she didn't understand the lyrics she played it to feel closer to her grandson. She smiled while carrying her tea and scones back to her sitting room, unfortunately on her way she bumped the record player causing it to skip and repeat a verse over and over. She grumbled to herself as she set her snacks down to fiddle with the repeating record. Unbeknownst to her as she fussed a portal sprung open behind her. Through this gate a grotesque, gnarled arm reached out. Black claws extending from slick leathery fingers. Another arm protruded and both found hold of the wooden floor, together they pulled a creature from depths no human should ever encounter.

Pema switched the player off and turned around. She gasped at the creature standing before her. This hellish creature reached out but to it's surprise Pema reached towrds it as well.

"Michael! You shouldn't sneak up on your grandmother like that. Scared me half to death!" Pema exclaimed

The creature stopped as the old human grabbed it's hand, "Oh my, you really should use more lotion, your hands are absolutely scaly."

Pema patted the creature's hand and moved to sit.

The creature spoke up one the woman had seated herself, "Tiny, frail human, I am not this My-Kale you speak of. I am Abbus, Greater Duke of Hell, Devourer of Mankind, Punisher of the Forsaken, Hellb-"

"Michael, I am not going to remember all that, dear. And you reek of sulphur. Is this a new band thing?" Pema said abruptly

Abbus stared at the old woman exasperated. He moved to the seat across from her and crossed his legs.

"Dear I have extra scones if you'd like one."

Abbus looked down at the small plate of pastries. No one had ever offered him a pastry, or a sweet of any kind for that matter. He extended his clawed hand and lifted it to his leathery maw. Sugar exploded down his gullet as he chewed. What a delight! A warm feeling spread through him. Not like a hellfire, no, a warm...happy feeling. Abbus almost smiled as he swallowed his treat.

Pema sipped her tea quietly and nibbled on a scone. This was simply a misunderstanding on her part, Abbus thought. However, this summoning was vastly different than others. No human remains, no cloaked mortals. Very serene.

Abbus had come to the conclusion that his summoner was blinded and, at the very least, senile. It had been such a while since he'd been pulled from the Underworld, three centuries at least. To be in such a calmed setting interested him enough to decide to stay. But what of the real Michael? He could kill him. But that would mean paperwork. The demon picked up another scone and examined it.

Pema set her cup down, "Michael, I'm going to the shops today. Would you like to go?"

She stood and shuffled to her bedroom. Abbus decided he would stay as he shoved the scone into his mouth. A day with an elderly mortal couldn't be so horrible. And if it meant more sweet edibles, why not? The demon stood and examined the room. Upon the walls were pictures of other humans with "grandmother". Upon his inspection he found who he assumed was Michael. A younger boy, clad in black and riddled with chains. White and black paint adorning his face. Could I really replace this painted child in return for human sweets?, he wondered. Yes, yes I could., he answered.

Years passed since Abbus' arrival and despite the near misses, no one was ever the wiser. When the real grandson would arrive Abbus enjoyed reverting to his most pleasantly evil form, a cat.

Now, although the demon held his affection for the mortal woman that summoned him, he could not interfere with the natural order of things. And when Pema's time came Abbus was surprised to find he had to wipe tears from his eyes. Her family was gathered round as she smiled at all of them. Ever slowly, she turned to Michael and whispered,

"Please, Michael, leave some treats out for the cat from time to time."

As her last breath left her body, Abbus could feel the wetness of tears stream down his black, leathery face.