two devils

TWO DEVILS IN A DRIVE THRU
WITHOUT A CAR.

one orders a milkshake, the other orders a diet soda.
"why always diet? you're already dead." the first
devil says.
devil two waits for their change from the server,
switching the radio on and off until neither devil
knows if the static in their ears is real.
"well, you never know who is watching, so i
never stop performing."
the first devil sinks their teeth into the styrofoam
cup, synthetic strawberry dripping down their 
ribcage. it licks its fangs and says "you are your
own voyeur. we are in control. we killed our
gods, remember?", then turns the key and exits
the drive thru. there is still no car, but in the trunk
lies devil three.
sticky with strawberry, they all make their way to
the crossroads, and pretend to eat their grief.
devil one wants to kill devil three for watching.
devil three doesn't exist.
two devils keep small birds where their hearts
should be to pretend they can still feel love and
grief.

- salem s.