The abandoned playground looked haunted in the evening. It was hard to say that it wasn’t totally unpossessed. One may occasionally hear children’s cries, though the grounds remain empty. It was taped off, so that no one would hurt themselves on the run-down and destroyed equipment. In such a place was where Finn found refuge. He often sat on the squeaky, rusty swings to think, or on the monkey bars to get away from it all.
Today, Finn was sitting in the sandbox without sand. Finn remembered when the sandbox was full, and his parents used to take him to this playground. He didn’t know what happened for his parents to turn out like that. Finn stared out at the setting sun. It was beautiful, and it made the abandoned playground look less eerie.
The sun was almost set when Finn noticed a figure in the distance. A silhouette against the slivers of the remaining sun and the blood bathed sky. It wasn’t until the figure had gotten closer that Finn could really make out any features.
It looked to be a man. He was tall, broadly built with lean muscles, and he had dark chocolaty brown hair that fell in perfect waves to his shoulders in layers. As he stalked closer to Finn, he could see that his face was flawless. Proportionately beautiful, and so very honest. His eyes were a warm hazel that whispered promises of anything and everything Finn could ever want.
The man was only a couple feet away, but Finn still hadn’t said a word. There was something sinister about this man, however beautiful. Now that he was closer, Finn could see that he was dressed quite nicely. He wore a solid black sweater over a crisply ironed white button-up shirt that was untucked from his tailored dark brown slacks. His shoes were a dark mahogany that went nicely with his similarly expensive silver accessories that consisted of a watch, three rings between his two hands, and a chain necklace.
All this is to say that Finn had ample time to admire the man and take in all the details of someone so beautiful. The man seemed to take in Finn’s details as well, but—contrary to Finn—it didn’t seem to be out of astonishment. It felt predatory, in some sick and twisted manner. And it was out of this manner that the man finally spoke.
“Such a bizarre place to hang around after sunset.” His voice was a smooth and warm reprieve in the chilled evening air. Finn, however, didn’t appreciate the jab at his place of hangout.
“I guess so,” he deadpanned.
“Mind if I sit?” The man gestured to the spot on the side of the sandbox beside Finn.
“Do what you want.”
The man took Finn up on the offer and sat, stretching out his legs and crossing his ankles. He stared at his own shoes for a moment before looking at Finn.
“What’s your name?” He sounded like an old friend, despite the fact that he just asked Finn for his name, confirming that they were simply strangers.
Finn gave pause, for a reason he couldn’t name. It’s not like this stranger could even do anything with just a name, so he dismissed the feeling and answered.
“Finn.” Finn swore he could see the stranger’s mouth twitch up, almost a smirk before he controlled it into something more neutral. Finn’s eyes narrowed. “What about you?”
The stranger did smirk at this before answering. “My friends call me Luci.” He looked back to his shoes and leaned back on his hands. “Which is actually a pretty funny story…”
Luci and Finn fell into a comfortable conversation, exchanging stories and secrets alike. There was no tension between them, despite having only met a couple hours ago.
“If you could want anything in the world, what would it be?” Luci stared up at the sky, which was filled with stars by that time. The way he asked this question sounded casual, but it felt as though it carried more weight than Finn felt it should have.
Finn thought for a moment at this. What would he even want? Wealth? Fame? What could give Finn the comfort he’s longed for since his family fell apart?
“I’m not sure. Maybe something like—”
“Well, I can tell you for sure that he wouldn’t want anything to do with you,” another voice interrupted.
It was another man walking towards the playground. Similar to Luci, he was dressed sharply in a light brown button-up and a white sweater. He wore khakis and light brown shoes, and—in contrast to Luci—he wore no jewelry. His hair was longer than Luci’s, and it was styled in messy gold curls. His face was as perfect as Luci’s, but contrary to Luci’s smirk, this man’s face was contorted with a scowl pointed directly at the man beside Finn.
Luci’s smirk grew into a grin. “Nice to see you, too, Cass.” He laughed like it was an inside joke between them. “Ever the one for punctuality, speedy one.”
“Cass’s” scowl grew as he snarled, “I’m starting to think that you’re testing all of my assignments just to see me, Luci. Can’t say that I’m surprised.” Cass spared a glance at Finn before returning his glare to Luci. “But I’d prefer you keep our business between us.”
Luci huffed a laugh at that and stood, straightening out his sweater as he stepped towards Cass, who had stopped no less than ten feet away. “And what business would that be, Cass?”
Cass looked infuriated. “Not anything that concerns Finn!” he sputtered. Finn bristled and stood abruptly. How did he know his name? “I don’t even know why you would have the piece of mind to involve him, other than—”
“And why not, my dear martyr? He’d be killed either way; of course, you know this as well as I do. So why not get something out of it?” Luci drawled, still stepping closer to Cass. Finn was frozen in place. He couldn’t move, as much as he wanted to get out of there. Killed? What did he mean by that? Luci ignored the panic coming from Finn. “Well, I suppose it’s better for it to be sooner, rather than later.”
“So I can fail my assignment? I don’t think so, Lucifer.” Cass stepped closer to Finn, but Finn stepped back. Lucifer? That’s Lucifer? But he’s so… Finn’s thoughts were interrupted when Cass’s appearance started to change. He was starting to glow and shapes were appearing behind his back.
“Why can’t you just let me have my fun, Cassiel?” Luci was also starting to change. His canines and ears were starting to elongate, and the points of horns were emerging from his forehead.
Everything felt so tense and the air felt heavy. Finn was still frozen in place until Cassiel yelled at him.
“Finn, get out of here. It’s not safe for you anymore.” His voice sounded layered and almost otherworldly. And judging from the bright feathered wings that were spread out behind him and the blinding halo above his head, as well as the dark wings, fangs, horns and tail emerging from Luci, they probably were.
Finn didn’t have to make a decision, as his body made one for him. It took him as far away from that abandoned playground as it could before he felt like he couldn’t take another step. He didn’t know where he was. It was well past midnight, he was in some random back alley, and there was no guardian angel to guide him.
