The rider walked past Marty, who was still slumped on the floor from the shock.
"Close the door for some privacy," the rider instructed with a grin plastered across his face. "You don't want your neighbors peering at us, do you?" He then made his way to the kitchen with an air of strange familiarity and effortlessly whipped up an omelet heaping with bacon and a coffee with generous amounts of sugar and milk.
Despite the overwhelming emotions, Marty closed the door as instructed. Various thoughts raced through his head.
"How did you… How did you know me?" he stammered. "Are you a detective or something? Am I… Am I going to prison?"
The rider chuckled, "Relax, Marty. I've just a knack for finding my way around. No need to worry. Come. Why don't you join me?"
Marty decided to follow the strange visitor for the time being. He didn't want things to unnecessarily spiral out of control so he hesitantly did as he was told.
As soon as he was seated, the rider introduced himself. "I'm Brad. And I have the solution for your problem."
For a moment, Marty wondered if there was something wrong with his ears. He suspected he had heard wrongly.
"Of course, it ain't free. You gotta prove yourself for it. But before I tell you the condition, do you know why it's important to do good deeds?"
Confused, Marty shook his head. "Uh, to help others?" He couldn't understand why a stranger who called himself Brad was suddenly talking about good deeds, especially in the current situation.
Brad smiled kindly and explained, "That's right, Marty. Doing good deeds can make the world a better place. It's important to be kind to others and avoid making bad choices, such as hurting someone, because that can lead to serious consequences. It's better to always choose kindness and compassion."
Marty nodded, still confused. "I understand. Um, why are you telling me this?" All traces of confidence had long since left his body, making his voice shaky and barely audible.
Brad patted Marty's shoulder after swallowing a spoonful of omelet. "I'm here to help you, but it's important that you make good choices too. Don't you agree?"
Once again, Marty nodded. In just a few minutes that Brad marched into his house, he seemed to have become an obedient dog, always listening to his owner's voice.
"D'you know the punishment for a first degree murder in your country?"
This time, however, Marty didn't respond. His knees began to tremble once again as he fidgeted in his seat. The grating sound whenever Brad's fork scraped the plate seemed to surround him in a mocking manner, making it hard for him to breathe. He could feel the sweat beading on his forehead and his palms growing clammy. Every second was a torture, regretting his impulsive action even more.
"Lethal injection," said Brad. "And in some cases, electric chair."
That was the nail on the coffin. Marty finally broke down with tears streaming down his cheeks mixing with his own snot, trembling.
"I… I didn't mean it. I *hic didn't mean... M—My hands moved on their own and next thing I knew, I… I…"
"So you did kill your own grandma."
"NO. Um, I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it." Marty seemed to have gone insane from the gravity of his actions. "Right! You said you'll help me right? Right? I wouldn't have to die, right?" Desperation seeping from his voice.
Brad grinned as if enjoying Marty's desperate pleas. "I did say I will help you. However, whether you die or not is completely up to you."
"Anything! I… I will do anything!"
"Oh, really? You aren't gonna regret that?"
"No. I'll do anything. I don't wanna die yet. I don't wanna die yet. I'll do anything."
At this point, Marty completely became a broken record. Just repeating two phrases over and over again: I'll do anything. I don't wanna die yet.
And seeing him like this, Brad pulled out an inch thick legal-size print paper, a stamp pad, and a ballpoint pen from his inner breast pocket and handed them to Marty. It was a mystery how they all fit in such a small space.
"That's the contract. Read that properly and if you don't have any problem with it, put your signature over your printed name on every page along with your thumb print. Use the stamp pad for that. Ah! No need for family names, by the way. That wouldn't matter anyway."
The following were written on the first page of the contract:
The Conditions for Receiving Brad's Assistance
This agreement is made on January 11, 20XX between Marty and Brad.
Recitals
WHEREAS Marty seeks the assistance of Brad to help him escape the judicial punishment for killing his own grandmother, and in return, he must join the "RELIFE GAME".
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
Terms and Conditions
1.) Brad's assistance: Brad shall provide assistance to Marty in helping him escape the judicial punishment for killing his own grandmother upon Marty's consent to the terms herein and signature below, acknowledging the commencement of receiving Brad's assistance.
2.) Obligations: Marty agrees to join the RELIFE GAME for receiving Brad's assistance. Marty must also adhere to the terms laid out by Brad for a smooth and successful process.
3.) Transition: Upon Marty's agreement to these terms, it is understood that Marty will thereby cease to exist in his own world as per the nature of the RELIFE GAME and Brad's assistance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date first above written.
Marty's Signature: ____________
Brad's Signature: ____________
***
Seemingly content with the contract, Marty immediately signed all the pages. If he were anywhere near his normal state, he would have realized the contract was completely one-sided and predatory. But as what people liked to say: Desperate times call for desperate measures.
And thus, he unknowingly got himself in a lion's den. A fate probably worse than just judicial punishment.