September 18, 2025
Providence College's Student-Run Newspaper Since 1935
by Sydney Cloutier ’27 on September 18, 2025
The Devil and I walk side by side into the diner. We sit down at the counter, shoulders touching. I order coffee for the two of us from the girl behind the counter. She smiles sweetly and hands me two mugs. She doesn’t address the Devil beside me.
The Devil and I go to the park. As we walk down the paved path, the Devil captures my hand a little too tightly. I try not to notice the little girl in the stroller rapidly pointing at the Devil as we pass by.
The Devil and I go up the stairs slowly. I knock once we reach Val’s door. I watch her try to subtly glance at the Devil before she lets us inside with a weak smile. People are scattered throughout the cramped rooms of her apartment. I embrace old friends and am introduced to new ones, but I don’t introduce the Devil.
The Devil and I sit on the couch and watch people mingle over empty glasses of wine. The Devil puts an arm around my shoulder, firmly locking me in place. I try my best to ignore the Devil’s iron grip and the way everyone in the room avoids the couch.
The Devil and I put on our jackets at midnight. I linger for a moment to thank Val while the Devil waits outside. She clutches my hands and pretends not to know what I am thinking. I wish I could stay, but the Devil doesn’t like to wait, so I hurry down the stairs and into the cold night.
The Devil and I walk home with our arms linked in silence. The Devil walks faster than I, but I cannot afford to slow down. The Devil leads the way into our building without even caring to look in my direction.
The Devil and I brush our teeth at the sink together. I can’t stop staring at the Devil in the mirror. I want to look away, but I am trapped in the Devil’s dreadful stare.
The Devil and I lie down and I try to hide under the covers. But like a nightmare-ridden child, the Devil finds me. The Devil whispers in my ear and I know it’s no use. The Devil wraps me in its arms as I sob quietly. I curse the Devil, I curse myself, I curse the Devil and I.
