Everything was put together with care. The box clutched tight in his grip while the wind swirled and whipped. The boy, of only 17, staggered through the chilled midnight air to the darkest crossroads in the tiny town he called home.

The boy paused once he stood in the middle of the intersection. He reached one hand in his pants pocket for the crumpled-up piece that detailed all the instructions he needed, whilst still holding firm to the box in his opposite arm.

He was unable to grab the note however because his head snapped to the sound of footsteps in the distance. He squinted his eyes to catch a glimpse, to maybe see shapes in the dark. He had no such luck until the figure drew closer to the stray dim lamppost.

As the creature dipped into the light, the boy’s heart stopped and his words caught in the back of his throat. The pale skin, dark circles, greasy hair—all familiar.

“You-You're… How are you—“ he stammered out as his lungs started to collapse within his chest. He tried to scramble away but his feet were glued solidly in place.

“Surprised?” The now revealed figure asked. He dragged out the word in a knowing manner. It made the boy sick to his stomach.

“I thought you were supposed to be some little red guy,” the words somehow found their way to the boy's mouth and left with a bite, “or disguised to be someone attractive and trustworthy looking. How—”

The devil smiled or more so sneered. It was unnerving. It unraveled the boy at the seams and stopped him dead in his tracks.

He forced the end of his sentance, “How are you me?”