Sympathy for the Devil | Teen Ink

Sympathy for the Devil

February 27, 2014
By Judfry BRONZE, Winchester, Massachusetts
Judfry BRONZE, Winchester, Massachusetts
2 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Every town has one. Fairview is no exception. Call him the boogeyman, the dark man, the evil one, or Norman Ford. You see, Norman killed his wife. Not to get explicit, but the corpse was almost unrecognizable. Pushed her down the stairs and stabbed her until there wasn’t anything left. But because of some unorthodox way the police gathered evidence (I don’t know, I’ve never been a legal expert), the judge threw the whole case out. Norman now lives alone in a house by the lake. A couple of months back, a few kids set fire to the shed in his backyard. Norman didn’t press charges. Last Halloween someone killed his cat, Norman didn’t press charges.

I watch you Norman, do you know that? I watch you walk up and down the streets at night. Why do you give bread to those homeless vagrants? Those same “high class intellectuals” that run this town abhor even simple contact with these individuals. People like Jimmy Goldberg; I think I saw him punching one of them in the chest. Did you know that Norman?

Do you know I saw you take in that dog? That McDougall mutt. The one old Harry kicked out of his house last week. Do you know I looked in your window and saw you feeding that mongrel? I saw you petting him, cuddling him for God’s sake! Why Norman? Does it make you feel better about yourself? Do you think it makes up for the unspeakable act you committed? Do you also know I follow you to the cemetery every night, and see you visit your wife’s tombstone? Why do you weep, Norman? She’s dead and buried and there’s nothing you or anyone else can do about it. Nothing at all.

A robbery occurred last month at the convenience store and Sheriff Goldberg was so sure it was you even though you were having lunch at that diner you always go to. Didn’t they knock down your door and drag you out by the legs, Norman? Didn’t they? They were all ready to lock you up and throw away the key before your waiter corroborated your story. A fire burnt down the Myers mill on Monday, killing the two owners, and the Sheriff was all out to shoot you over it until video evidence pointed otherwise. Yesterday, a fifteen year old boy named Jimmy Myers went missing. Did you know that, Norman? Do you know that even as I speak, Sheriff Goldberg, Mr. McDougal and even Mayor Howard are making a posse to invade your house, kill you, and rescue that kid from whatever hellhole they think you have him trapped in?

I have a secret, though. I know that you didn’t rob that store, or burn that mill or take the boy, Norman. Do you want to know how I know that, Norman? Are you sure? I robbed that store, and then burnt that god forsaken mill down to the ground and I danced on the ashes of those who lived there. I know everything about you, Norman; from the day you were born until the day you’re going to die. I know what and where you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I even know what brand of toothpaste you use. Crest Cavity Protection. Good brand. What I don’t know, however is why do you give your food to those worthless beggars and that pathetic mutt, and why do you weep at the grave of one which you helped put there? Why, God dammit, why? Sorry, I lose control sometimes. My mother, before she perished in that mill fire, used to scold me for outbursts like that. My own father used to call me insane and locked me in my room whenever we had company. The great cotton king, Samuel Myers, tried his best to hide his only son who he thought had a few bats in the belfry. Well, how do you feel now, Dad? Slaving away in whatever pit in hell Satan forces you to, burning for all eternity! I’m not crazy. You know that, Norman, don’t you? That’s one thing you have to understand about me, Norman, I’m not crazy. I’m going to find out why you weep, Norman, you mark my words. I’m going to find out everything that I don’t already know about you. Then, well… we’ll have some fun then won’t we?

Every town has one. In Fairview’s case, that just happens to be me.



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This article has 19 comments.


on Jan. 14 2016 at 4:11 pm
societykilledmusic, Athens, Texas
0 articles 1 photo 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.

WOW! I love this so much! I really do! Great job! :D

on Oct. 7 2015 at 3:02 pm
WinterFrost BRONZE, Mountain Ranch, California
2 articles 0 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."
~ Edgar Allen Poe

Wow, this was really well written. Great character perspective - unique and intriguing. Keep up the awesome work!

on Sep. 7 2015 at 9:51 am
prettypuppy88 SILVER, Suffolk, Virginia
5 articles 0 photos 2 comments
This is probably the coolest story I've ever read. Congratulations. You're awesome.

on Apr. 2 2015 at 9:25 am
ABPippins SILVER, League City, Texas
5 articles 0 photos 42 comments

Favorite Quote:
To die may be an awfully big adventure, but to love is an even grander affair -myself

Phenomenal! Keep up the good work and looking forward to reading more :)

DarkTower GOLD said...
on Jan. 15 2015 at 6:55 pm
DarkTower GOLD, Littleton, Colorado
11 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"In a sentence you can establish an idea. In a paragraph you can form a topic. In a page you can create a voice. In a hundred pages you can visualize a story. In a book you can inspire a passion."

So cool, I love the way you set up Norm as the devil but it's you all along! Bravo!

on Jan. 5 2015 at 11:27 am
The_DoctorDonna PLATINUM, Anytown, Iowa
44 articles 2 photos 105 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm Possible'"

wow. that's all I can think to say... you're writing technique is flawless, and I was gasping and holding my breath the whole time. Incredible.

jordan said...
on Mar. 24 2014 at 7:21 pm
Amazing for a 16 year old..can't wait to see more of his writing.  Had me holding my breath.  Beth   

Bama6531 said...
on Mar. 24 2014 at 9:06 am
Great story, love the way he writes, suspenseful.

Sampp said...
on Mar. 18 2014 at 12:19 am
Loved this story. Is there a second one coming?

sindy said...
on Mar. 12 2014 at 1:45 pm
excellent story

sarah said...
on Mar. 12 2014 at 1:37 pm
excellent story

Jim623 said...
on Mar. 11 2014 at 11:40 am
Really cool story, wow, Suspenseful and makes you want to read more.

Luela62 BRONZE said...
on Mar. 6 2014 at 6:13 pm
Luela62 BRONZE, Leicester, Other
4 articles 0 photos 3 comments
Nice misdirection. This is a pretty awesome story. Looking forward to reading more of your writing.

Thalion SILVER said...
on Mar. 6 2014 at 2:30 pm
Thalion SILVER, Peoria, Illinois
9 articles 3 photos 53 comments
Fantastic writing. That's all I can say!

on Mar. 6 2014 at 1:00 pm
sam browstein, Wicnhester, Massachusetts
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
Wow, cool.

on Mar. 6 2014 at 9:15 am
BurrThistle GOLD, Jaipur, Other
10 articles 0 photos 161 comments

Favorite Quote:
Write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect

very powerful and incredibly gripping, had me at the edge of my seat till the very end. Excellet work.

susan smith said...
on Mar. 5 2014 at 5:07 pm
susan smith, Cambridge, Massachusetts
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
excellent writing

talbot13 said...
on Mar. 5 2014 at 3:06 pm
Really well written.