The contract

"Please don't do it. Please let me live. I am sorry for what I said. I am sorry for what I did. I would never repeat it again to you; or anyone. It was my fault. I was being so cruel. I understand my mistake, please let me live. Please, I beg you…"

He was at my feet, crying and begging. This is what I always wanted. Those who did things to me, under my feet. That's their place. Begging for my mercy, asking for forgiveness and swearing to not to repeat it ever again. I smiled at the thought. I am getting what I asked for. What I have been looking for. This place, wherever it is, is going to know my name. They won't dare to push me away or even think of locking me up. They all are going to be under me, polishing my shoes, giving me whatever I need. I want to live for all those days I was locked up. I am going to get my revenge on this world.

"What you said is said…" I smirked, "...what you did is done." I said.

"Please, don't! Don't do it." I stared at his eyes. They are hazel. I scoffed. You are certainly going to die, not only because you were cruel to me, but you have the same eyes of hers, of Emma's. She choose someone else over me. I will make sure she pays for her cruelty.

Suddenly his face changed to hers. I saw her in tears before me, begging at my feet. She was crying so hard and was struggling to breathe. The place changed back to the lake and the time changed to evening.

"Austin! I feel the same way too_"

I woke up with a loud gasp. It felt so real. She is haunting my dreams. I know I wanted to see her in my dreams, but now, seeing her is a nightmare. I don't even want to see her. I hate every moment I think of her. Unfortunately, that's every second of my life. It took time for me to realise where I am. I am in an apartment. I remember Theo dropping me here. My wall clock says it's 2 p.m. I was asked to be in the bar by 3. I have time to roam this place. I sighed and got up. I got out of my bed and saw food kept on my nightstand. I walked to my bathroom and splashed water on my face. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is all messy and my eyes are lifeless. I look blank as if all my life has been drained out. These are hard times. So much is going on.

My apartment is a very small one and I am not going to lie, it reminds me of Emma's home. It has what I need. I miss the luxury of my house. There is a single bed near the window, a nightstand on its side. A small table and two chairs. A wardrobe and carpet on the floor. The window opens to the alley. It is still empty. Where are the people?

I had food and walked down the stairs. I saw that man sitting behind the desk. He is now solving a puzzle. There was a chess board lying there. That's my favourite: wizard's chess. He plays? He is bored to death. He is looking for something to pass time. I stood by the stairs and watched him. He looked up at me. Somehow I saw myself in him. Lonely and dead inside. I always wanted someone to pass time with. I had so many people around me. But none saw me. They all did see me, but acted like I was invisible. I am not going to be blind to his loneliness like all of them did. No one deserves to be alone.

"Shall we play a round of chess?" I asked with a smile. His eyes brightened but he hid his smile. He wants to play. He didn't want to say it out loud. I smiled and walked to his side as he put up the board. We both sat down and ended up playing till the clock screamed 3. I don't remember how many times we played, but he is really good at this. I lost all the time. But I don't care. I had fun, he did too. His name is Thomas Parker. He has been in this town for 12 years. He has always been alone. He doesn't have anything to talk about. He talked about his favourite places here and promised he will take me to them sometime. I didn't want to talk about the curse or about Emma to someone I just met. He is not a complete stranger. But I need time to get comfortable before I open up. Maybe some other time. But I have to leave now.

I bid goodbye. This time he didn't hide his smile. He waved and I walked towards the bar. The streets are empty. What are these people doing at home on such a fine day? Go out when you can. All your happiness will be drowned and you will be locked up in a room when a prophecy will be made about you. Until then do whatever you want. Go wherever you please. Don't waste the time you have. No one knows when your time changes, like mine did. I went from locked up in a room to free to walk around anywhere in a day. Note that it can go the other way too. I walked in and the bell clinked. I never noticed it had a bell on the door.

I looked in and found it empty. There is no soul inside here. But why?

"There you are. I was going to check upon you." Theo walked in.

"Sorry, I slept."

"Let's get to the matter. We don't have time to waste. We have a lot to do." He said, "I know you signed without reading the contract. So let's talk about the contract."

My breath hitched. I signed a contract with a stranger?! I remember letting an old lady read my mind and I remember going to the apartment with him at his expense. What made me sign a contract with him? I am never drinking again. Ever again.

"Maybe… you should read yourself."

He handed me the paper. Please don't be something stupid. Don't be something embarrassing. I opened the piece of paper that said to be the 'contract',with my mind running miles. What can it possibly be?

CONTRACT AGREEMENT

This agreement was signed on 29/09/2004

BETWEEN

Theodore Dixon

Austin Tyler

This contract declares legal rights of Theodre Dixon over Austin Tyler for a lifetime. Hereby Austin Tyler agrees to work for Theodore Dixon in exchange for money. Theodre Dixon agrees to provide shelter, expenses and any essential needs of Austin Tyler and thereby accepting to work for him at any time requested. Austin Tyler should keep this agreement a secret for lifetime and is only allowed to be known as the code name given. He is not allowed to leave Reasel town without the permission of Theodore Dixon. Breaking the contract will result in the death of Austin Tyler.

Signature of

AUSTIN TYLER

Signature of

THEODORE DIXON

Alright then. I am going to be working in this bar among the drunk people until I take my last breath. I already hated drunk people and now I hate drinking too. Why don't I think twice before doing something? I sighed at the thought. I kissed Emma without thinking twice. I killed a man without thinking twice. I followed a stranger to a bar without thinking twice and now I have signed a contract for a lifetime without thinking twice. What have I done? When will I learn from my mistakes?

"Don't worry, there are more people under my contract. You are not the first."

"That's such a pleasure to know. That made me feel much better." I said sarcastically with a smile. Why does he want more of them? He doesn't have more branches of this bar, does he?

"When should I start working?"

"Eager, are we?" He smirked.

I sighed. Maybe I can get shifts. If I get money, I will do so many things that I have always wished to do in my free times. Let's strike off drinking from that list. I am not drinking ever again.

"You should train first. You are not at all fit. You should work out. What have you been doing all these years? I don't think you can push someone away without losing balance and hitting the ground yourself."

"Wait a minute, why am I here again?"

I don't want to be a fighting entertainer for those drunk people. It is disgusting and plus, i am going to get hurt which i don't want to. I should fight with the other fighters who would probably be training themselves for years. I am going to be buried in pieces.

"Oh! You are now Ace, the assassin."