The Contract

Decision Time

I was too afraid to take the contract out at school. I wanted to read it, but I didn't know how to explain what it was. I could lie, but that's almost as bad as telling the truth in a place like this. If your lie isn't perfect, if they sense one detail is suspicious, the stories they'll make up will be ten times worse than the truth.

I sat through class after class, but I couldn't focus. I felt a strange pull to the contract I had hidden. Like it was calling out to me. By the end of the day, I couldn't take it anymore. As the final bell rang, I ran to the locker rooms. I knew they would be empty, there were no practices that day. I looked around to be sure I was alone, then locked all the doors. I checked each one twice before finally sitting down and opening my bag.

I took the contract out and the ink began to swirl again. This time the ink formed a clock above the words, with a red line at 4. I guess the girl would be back then. I watched the seconds tick by and for the first time I thought, maybe this could be real. I took a deep breath and began to read.

If you have recieved this contract, you have already been selected for our program. For the first time, we are looking to bring in someone from your realm to work for us, in the Underworld.

This contract is intended to protect both the hunter and their employer, and entitles the hunter to certain rights as listed below.

1. The hunter shall have any and all clothes/equipment required for the hunt to provided by the employer.

2. The hunter will be expected to complete all assigned targets.

3. The hunter is entitled to free health and death care by the Underworld Medical Team, or UMT.

4. If a hunter is killed on the job, the Underworld will arrange for plausible cause of death on earth, and the family will be entitled to compensation.

5. The hunter may enjoy the perks of traveling through any portal for professional or person use, free of charge.

These are subject to change, and does not cover everything a hunter may encounter. Please contact the Underworld Internal Affairs committee with any issues.

At the bottom of the contract were two blank spots, one for my signature and one for the date. It was tempting and I felt a strong compulsion to accept the terms then and there. I mean, the little girl was right. I didn't have any plans for my future, and I wanted adventure. I wanted something different. I wanted to be able to say I did something no one else had. But could I even tell people about this? Would they believe me? Did I believe it? I guess there's only one way to find out.

I reached into my backpack and pulled out a blue pen. Am I really doing this? I clicked the spring on the end of the pen and the metal ballpoint was exposed. I lowered it to the paper nervously, but didn't feel any fear. If this one real, it was going to be the best adventure anyone has ever had.

I signed my name above the signature box, and moved over to the date. I giggled at the idea that the underworld would care what date this was. Isn't it supposed to be eternal anyways? I closed my eyes and waited for something to happen.

I didn't really know what I was waiting for. Maybe a big blast of lighting, or a sudden storm, or a hole to open up in the earth and swallow my car whole. But nothing happened. I opened my eyes slowly and looked around. Everything was exactly the same as 2 minutes ago.

I laid by head back against my headrest and breathed a sigh of relief. Then my relief turned to disappointment as I thought "I could have been a real life Buffy." I shook my head at myself and pulled my seat belt tight across my chest.