For this one, you must convince your mortal friend to preserve her life and sacrifice another.
NEW LIFE (any gender, mid teens through early twenties)
There must be a sacrifice. And it must happen before dawn. Iris, I'm begging you. Don't get in the way. It's time for my soul to find a home. My life was taken at this camp. For me to be released, a new life needs to be taken.
Iris, I didn't make up the rules. And I used to have compassion for living humans, you know, back when I WAS one. But now... the only human I care about is you. Are you human? I think you're better than human... you've got a gift, Iris. You're the only one who can see me... who can understand me...
If little Johnny doesn't die tonight, someone else has to. If you get in my way, you'll be the one to die. And don't go thinking that makes you a hero, Iris. Do you know little Johnny's future? I do. That brat is going to grow up into a sniveling millionaire, he's going to keep all his wealth to himself, he will never help anybody, he will never love anybody and he will die bitter and alone.
Best to let him die now and be seen as a slain angel.
Your future... Iris, your future is so bright. There is so much help you can bring to the world. You're at an age where humans start to become adults, right? Please, please, please: Give up childish dreams of heroic sacrifice. Become an adult and live. Live to heal the world, the rest of your adult life. All you need to do is get out of my way. Live with the horror of just one night.
Copyright 2016 by Matt Haynes.
If you would like to use this piece, please credit: "Courtesy of Matt Haynes and The Pulp Stage"