another life. I looked at Arin, sitting next to me

g an opponent mafia group that was creating problems. His disp

t such an exceptional measure? The numbers prob

ise, a foreboding shadow over our lives, ye

ebt was an out thing of a bad dream, at

ce through my viewpo

ly, I need no more a

oint out and turned to

table?" he asked, his

to jump at the ludicrou

t I could be happy with realizing

k. Arin was evidently attractive, with etched highlights a

o appear to be practically barbaric. There was a hardn

dless of the expense. As the vehicle wound right out of the city and int

hat Arin would request of me. The thought of the unknown tr

be strong for me to figure out

imness. It was fantastic, yet there was a premonition thing about it, as

cle moved up the long carport, at las

to help me out of the vehicle. I wavered, yet grasped

ighty door shutting behind us w

loaded up with lavish decorations and a quality of quiet power. Ar

before a huge

e said, making the way to open

you need here. We'll talk

settle over me. As the door shut behind me, I sank on

eality of what had happened crashing down on

who longed for a brilliant future, en

e a debt, caught in a universe of force and risk, I

art beating. Briefly, I though

icate morning light sifting through the weighty c

my room at home The bed was tremendous, shrouded in rich, cre

d, with intricate moldings along the roof and walls. An excellent c

a plated confinement. I swung my legs to the

ooded my mind , and I needed to advise

g. I stood and strolled to the window, pulling back the weighty curtains to uncover a rambling

ound, biting feeling of misfortune and disarray. Needing to clear my head, I chose to inve

s though it were waiting for something. I meand

p with volumes of books that looked old and significant. An enormous, mahogany work area sat

paper, a consoling fragrance that helped

floors and monstrous gem light fixtures. It was vacant, save for the echoes of previous occasions that appeared to li