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Doug's lunge at the Devil was unsuccessful, and he instead collided with the wall and fell to the ground.

"You can't tackle me," Stan said. "I'm just a hallucination."

"No you're not!" Doug shouted up at the blurry image of Stan. "I've had hallucinations before, and they don't tell you they're hallucinations!"

"Well, then I'm as much a hallucination as previously I was a dream. You are under quite a bit of drugs and duress, so hallucinations are likely. Thus, it didn't seem intrusive for me to appear now instead of waiting for you to go asleep."

Doug sat up and leaned against a wall. "I don't know what you're trying to hide from. They know I've been talking to you and that's why I'm here."

"See. Even with the small amount of overt meddling, I've affected things. That's why I usually never try to be this direct."

Doug misery was slowly being replaced by anger. "What do you want?"

"As I've said, I see the possible futures. I no longer see many paths left to you succeeding. You haven't quite grasped things as I hoped you would, and time is running out."

"You mean before Ronove destroys my soul?" Doug said dryly.

The Devil laughed. "I don't think he'll destroy it in the way he hopes, but you won't be the better for it."

"And I guess humanity is doomed because I failed... doing whatever the hell it was I was supposed to do."

"You're not taking this very seriously anymore, are you?"

Doug stood up, and he had to stop himself from trying to grab Stan again. "I think you're full of crap. I think Ronove is full of crap. I don't think any of you 'powerful' beings know what the hell you're doing. I just wished you'd all leave me alone!"

"I'm afraid to tell you that wishing isn't going to make it happen, kid."

"Go away!" Doug screamed.

"Are you going to figure this out on your own?"

"I'm not on my own. My friends are still out there."

"And rich too. If you think they're going to risk all that for the noble cause of saving their team mascot, realize they are only human."

"I said go away!" Doug plopped back down on the ground, sitting against a wall.

"Fine. I'll find someone else. I thought you were the best chance, but I've been wrong before. I would wish you good luck, but it would be pretentious to pretend I care about your fate when it's divorced from mine. Have fun with eternity; things only get worse from here on."

"OUT!" Doug screamed again, only to realize he was yelling at nothing.

"Are you okay?" a new voice said, echoing and distant.

"Who's there?" Doug called out.

"I heard you shouting."

Doug followed the voice to the toilet in his little cell. "Hello?"

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Hellbender Take Two
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