"A tit for a tat. A response for what you did on that. A penny for your thoughts. Anything needed, must be bought. But you should have learned from all that, that." – a rhyming philosopher

Nothingness, a sensation not truly new to Alex, but foreign all the less, is what greets him.

"A deal may be made, though there will be a price to be paid."

'I'm so tired.'

"Be that as it may, pay heed. Not later, for your freedom can be bought today."

'Is this another hallucination, they've gotten kind of weird. Every time that guy gives me those injections, it gets like this, though I admit they didn't quite rhyme in the past… maybe I've awakened a desire to be a poet deep down?'

"…"

'…'

"New lesser kin, let's see what you have to say about your life for a trade. Do me a favor and your enemies will cry you a river. Ignore me now, and you'll go down."

'Will you stop if I do what you want?'

"Not very acute, but definitely not a brute. Not very fast, but not lagging in the past. As powerless you are, as skill-less you might be, you fulfill my kill-list, I'll let you free."

'Who's on your kill-list then death hallucination?'

"A certain being, dead so far, still living in the dark. If his plan completes, the magic depletes, and kills those like me. If you accept, although you might not be an adept, I can fix that doctor's mistakes, and make your pain abate."

'But that does nothing to free me…'

"That too will be organized, all in good time. Now accept, and the contract will be complete, and I may set you free."

'Um… first, why are you rhyming?'

"…"

'…'

"Know this now, make sure it gets beneath your brow. Once done, the favor I ask must not be a dud. A seal, a contract we will make. Be certain this is the path you will take."

'I'm tired of this way of living. Tired of the games I've been playing. Tired of this cycle of death. Set me free so I can keep living. Set me free, and I'll do what you ask.'

"…"

'…'

"A simple yes is needed, you browbeat heathen."

'then fine. Yes, I'll do it.'

"Then, the contract is complete."

Alex then fades further into the depths of unconsciousness, a slight tingle on his neck being the only sensation till he falls into it.