Page 24 of Stranger Danger

My back shoots up straight when I realize where his words are leading to. I know I can try insisting what happened was my fault and beg him not to get anyone else involved. But I also know all of it will be useless.

Everyone knows that the Devil's appetite for vengeance is never-ending, but if these days of talking to him on the phone have taught me anything worthwhile about him...

"How about a game?" I force myself to croak out.

Several moments of silence pass before the Devil gives me his answer.

Go on.

I sag in relief against the back of the tub. I know this doesn't guarantee anything, but at least he's willing to give me a chance to change my mind.

"Heads, you won't do anything to Tara—-"

Unacceptable.

"Because I'll be the one extracting revenge for myself," I manage to improvise without missing a beat.

If you break your word, you understand that I'll have to punish you as well—-

"I—-" I almost say 'I do' out of habit but catch myself in time. "—-understand."

And the other girl's punishment shall also be more severe—-

"What? Wait—-"

—-than what I originally intended?

"But—-"

You didn't really expect to play a game with me and be able to lay down the rules—-

I actually did, idiot that I am.

Did you?

Rather than admit to my stupidity, I think I'm going to change the subject instead.

"Can we talk about what will happen if I flip tails?"

Proceed.

"If I flip tails, we will decide together on what to do with Tara—-" I hold my breath and wait for the Devil to protest against this.

Go on.

Phew.

"But I'll also owe you another favor in return—-"

Flip the coin then.

"But I haven't—-"

Don't wait for me to change my mind.

Oh crap.

"Let me just get out of the bath and find a quarter—-"

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