An Apology For The Devil: Sample Chapter

PRELUDE

"All the world's a stage,/And all the men and women merely players./They have their exits and entrances,/And one man in his time plays many parts."

  --Shakespeare, As You Like It

I have read stories of belonging, where someone in search of love, or home, or of himself or herself, finds what they are looking for against all odds. This is not one of those stories.  I have read books relating fantastic crimes committed in dark, secret and sinister places.  I have read of crimes funded by eccentric millionaires, thought up by corrupt governments or committed by twisted, psychopathic killers.  This is not such a book.  I have read simple love stories that touch the heart and mind and soul and make you realize that mankind is, really, quite good at heart, and that there is hope for the human race after all.  This telling, however, has nothing in common with those simplistic tales of love.

I have read of brave men and beautiful women, of pioneers and revolutionaries and evil villains galore.  I have read of fantastic futures and worldwide catastrophes, of shape-changers and moneychangers and marvelous animals. This is not like any book, like any story you have ever read.  No, it is most likely not like anything you have ever read before or perhaps like anything you will ever read again.  What you are about to read is my story.  I will tell it to you because it pleases me to tell it. It is also my hope that in the reading you will come to understand me a little better, fear me a little less.  At first you will be afraid to listen, but listen you must, for in my tale lies your destiny.  He ingrained this fear in you.  The fear is as old as life itself and it has kept you alive.  Without the fear I would have overwhelmed you with good intentions long ago, but that was long ago.

I have lived a multitude of lives since then and have learned well the lessons that only age and first hand experience can bring.  Once again I make you an offer. There will be no symbolism this time.  There will be no tree you can't touch, no fruit you're not supposed to eat.  I have grown up with you, my children, and I make my offer to a race that has come of age.  I do not offer you the knowledge of good or even of evil.  This is knowledge you have learned for yourselves, the hard way.  No.  What I offer you is truth.  It is a truth that will set you free, but before it sets you free it will shake you to the depths of your soul.

In return for my gift of truth, I ask only that you read with an open mind.   Take my story as you will.  Reject my version or accept it.  The choice is yours.   I must caution you however, for once you have heard what I have to say, even if you choose not to believe it, you will never see things in quite the same way again.   

-Talib, a Lucifer.  Guardian of Earth