. . .

Peter’s almost eleven when the Devil gives up on him.

“I can’t keep doing this, Peter,” says the Devil.

Peter gives him a look.

“I can’t spend my whole life tempting somebody that won’t be tempted,” says the Devil. “I’ve got business on other planets! I was supposed to be on my millennium jaunt to Andromeda by now!”

“Are there angels there?” asks Peter.

The Devil shrugs.

He gets down on one knee. He takes Peter’s hand in both of his. He looks at him sincerely.

“I’ve come to love you,” he says, “you know. I’d treat you well.”

But Peter punches him in the nose,

and the Devil’s gone.

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