I Once Spoke To The Devil

By robert crudup

One late night, Joshua Higgins awoke with a feeling he could not explain. There was an ache in his chest and his mouth was dry. It was so dry that he could barely swallow. He ventured down from his bedroom to the kitchen to get a glass of water. As he walk past the living room, he encountered a handsome man sitting in his favorite chair wearing a meticulous burgundy sharkskin suit, white shirt, and a silk white tie. On his feet were a pair of wingtip black and white shoes. He was a handsome man with blond hair that fell to his broad shoulders and, breathtaking handsome looks. Joshua was shocked. He walked into his living room and sat down across from him. Who was this man? The handsome man smiled at him as if reading his thoughts. His smile was dazzling. They began to talk, and their conversation took on a direction that left Joshua's mind bewildered. This is the story, and, I, Joshua Higgins, would like you to listen to me tell it. It is a story that will make you wonder as to the possibilities of the unknown. Be patient....Open this book and let your decision be the judge when you finish reading it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: robert crudup
• Release date: Jan 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393923732

robert crudup

In writing fiction, some people have a tendency to skip over the little things in describing a story. Robert Crudup takes the reader into worlds that makes the reader wonder about the possibilites as the story unfolds for the reader. He wants you to see what he has written. And, what he has written is breathtaking to read.

Book preview

For the past several days I have been terribly sick to the extent of complete exhaustion. My body is weak to the point of unconsciousness for hours at a time. Whenever I would awake, I would be drenched in perspiration. I had gone to see my doctor about my sickness, and he had informed me that it was nothing more than the flu. I had been thinking about going back to see him this morning, but every time I would get out of bed, I would feel faint. I could only go a few feet at a time before I had to sit down. If my wife, Martha, were still alive, she would have taken me to see my doctor, but she had died two years ago. I miss her painfully. Our marriage had been one of arguments, debates; laughter and pain, yet I loved her deeply.

Martha and I had been married for over forty-one years. Oh, excuse me, let me introduce myself. My name is Joshua Higgins. I live in Galloway, Maine. I was born and raised in Galloway. The year now is May 17, 1995. I’m old now, sixty-seven and still aging. I don’t consider that old, though, some might think otherwise. I can still chop a full day’s worth of wood at my age. Martha opposed me whenever I would get the ax out of the shed. I miss her so very much. Not getting away from my story, for I’m compelled to tell the story. I only want to give you an impression of my present state of mind. I’m trying to start a story that really cannot be told in a realist sense of explanation, but I’ll try anyway.

On this night, I was weary and very thirsty. So thirsty, that I willed myself to get out of bed to get some water. I went into the kitchen. I am nearly delirious, I know this, but I am thirsty. Entering the kitchen, I could’ve sworn that I saw my wife, Martha, standing by the kitchen sink making my favorite apple pies. Martha would always be making apple pies. Giving some to the neighbors while making too many of them on purpose. Martha was a beautiful woman.

Standing in the kitchen, a glass of water to my lips, I suddenly hear a noise. Although faint, I believe it is coming from the living room. Now that I think about it, it was more than a simple faint noise. It sounded like a musical horn of some kind.

I begin walking toward the living room with a sense of hesitation. The music seems to increase as I neared it.

I see a luminous glow permeating out of it. I don’t remember leaving the light on in there before I retired for the night. Or did I?

Entering the room, the glass in my hand falls to the floor as I stumble backward from shock. Sitting in my living room is a blond hair man wearing a beautiful burgundy sharkskin suit. On his feet was a pair of black wingtip shoes. He was handsome in an innocent way, yet appeared to possess a sense of cockiness. He smiled at me.

I hesitate to do anything at that moment, but when I heard his voice inside of my head, I was startled, for his lips didn't move to form the words. He told me his name. It is Natas, but this time his lips did move. This is the beginning of my story:

NATAS: Hello, Joshua.

The fact that he knew my name was a shock to me. A total shock.

NATAS: You are ill, Joshua. Sit down. Your heart is weak at the moment. That comes with old age, my friend. Don’t be afraid of me. I mean you no harm. I just want to talk.

I slowly sit down in a chair across from him. Yes, my heart did feel faint as I stared at this man.

NATAS: You are very ill, Joshua. I’ve come here to make you feel good. To make you smile. To give you a sense of comfort.

JOSHUA: Make me smile? Who are you? How did you get in my house?

NATAS: I walked in . . . Well, kind of. I brought you some medicine to help ease your pain.

JOSHUA: Medicine? I don’t know you. Why would I drink anything that you would bring to me?

NATAS: Trust is the beginning of a true friendship, Joshua. If I wanted to harm you, I could have done it already. You are a frail, old, sickly man. I wish you no harm.

He was right. If he’d wanted to harm me, he could have. As I stare at him, a cup appears out of nowhere in his hand. With a nod of his head, the cup floats through the air toward me.

NATAS: It is a trick, Joshua. Take it and humor me. My day has been a very long one. Most of my days and nights are long. Also continuous at times.

The cup continues to float toward me. I'm frightened and, at the same time, I am fascinated. I reach out and take the cup. With caution, I bring it to my lips. It smells bitter, but very warm to my touch.

NATAS: I know it smells a little bitter, but it will clear your head. It will help you think much better.

For some reason, I believed this strange man sitting in my living room as I stared at him. This handsome man who’d entered my home without an invitation offering me medicine. I drink his brew.

NATAS: Ahh. That was right. In a few minutes your grogginess will fade.

Minutes pass by quickly. Soon, I could feel my head beginning to clear.

NATAS: Feeling better?

JOSHUA: Yes.

NATAS: That is wonderful.

JOSHUA: Why are you here?

NATAS: There are times when a person becomes bored, and then there are times when I need to speak to someone less enticing than those I usually affiliate with. But tonight I come to ask you a favor. Your surprise expression is warranted. You do not know me, so how can I ask you of a favor. Listen to me before you deny my request.

JOSHUA: This is very unusual. This stranger sitting in my living room wanting to ask me for a favor is more than unusual. It's completely mindboggling. Where are you from?

NATAS: Many places. Yet those places have become few with the pasting of time.

JOSHUA: What are you, a salesman?

I see Natas smile. His smile is warm to the sight.

NATAS: There are times when a person can call me that, then there are times when that title does not suit me, and there are times when I can decide the fate of many. So, a salesman would fit me well at this juncture of my existence.

JOSHUA: You talk in riddles.

NATAS: I do, do I not? Riddles are at times more understanding that a direct approach.

JOSHUA: How did you do that thing with the cup?

NATAS: That thing with the cup was an illusion.

JOSHUA: You’re a magician as well as a salesman?

NATAS: Yes. I’m also a historian of sorts.

JOSHUA: What history have you studied?

NATAS: All of them.

I stare at him with a sense of doubt. No one could have known all of history. Anyway, I thought, he couldn’t be any older