Ire struggled to bring words to her mouth. She just stared into the dots of Julia's mask. Julia reached into her coat and brought out a rectangular silver tablet. It was about the size of a textbook and was rounded on the edge. It displayed a black screen. On both of its sides was a three-inch wire that ended in a small needle.
Julia tapped the screen. "Do you know what this is?"
"…No," Ire answered, still trying to regain her composure. She had to accept that this was happening, that the girl she was talking to, the girl that stopped her, the girl that promised to save her life, was the devil.
Julia lifted up the tablet to her chest and pointed the screen towards Ire. "This is something that I shouldn't have. This is what I like to call a Karmic Contract."
Ire steeled her nerves. "What's a Karmic Contract?"
"It's a part of a denied policy. If you search deep enough, I'm sure you'll find it. That policy was an alternative form of bail. At the request of someone who'd spend five or more years in jail, the court would place the criminal under a karmic contract by stabbing one of these needles into their wrist and temple, implanting an itty-bitty capsule into both. A person injected would be bound by the rules of the contract they agreed to."
"And if they didn't?" Ire questioned. "Wh-what happens to them?"
"The government wouldn't have to do anything. Once the criminal thinks they have broken the contract, the capsule in their head would take the thought as a sign to send a signal to the one in their wrist, releasing cyanide into their bloodstream, killing them in less than thirty seconds. They could force a criminal to never commit another crime or do constant hours of community service. A perfect contract that can only be broken in death. Understand?"
Ire slowly nodded. "But there are two on this one."
"Good spot," Julia chuckled. "This is my edited version. Now it works both ways. Now both parties are forced to obey it. As for it breaking, it requires both parties to think that one of them broke the contract, and they die as mentioned before."
Ire looked at the needles of the Karmic Contract. "So if either of us breaks the deal we are about to make…"
"They die!" Julia responded enthusiastically. "Now should we get to it?"
"What if I refuse to make a deal?" Ire asked. "Will you kill me?"
"Wouldn't you do that for me?" Julia said. "Wasn't that your stance?"
"I see," Ire muttered. She looked back to the dots on Julia's mask. "Let's make our deal."
Ire gritted her teeth. She needed this. This was her chance to fix everything in her life. If the rumours were true, she would have the power to do it, but it would also mean that Ire would have to make sure this deal would be in her favour.
Julia placed the contract on the floor and tapped the screen. The tablet beeped before a white microphone logo appeared on the screen. Julia then looked up at Ire.
"It is now listening to us. Now we can start. First I'll start with what I'll give you. I'll use my power, influence, and money to help remove the things in your life that are making you suffer. I will do my best to bring a smile to your face every day. Will this suffice?"
Ire spent a moment to think it over before answering. "Yes, it will."
Julia paused before continuing. "Now what you'll give me. I'll make this clear before I speak. I won't bargain. I won't lower it. You either accept or we end the deal. Do you understand?"
Ire hesitated before nodding.
Julia spoke. "In exchange for my help, you are to follow any order I give you that is for your own benefit."
Ire responded, "Define my own benefit."
"Anything that would make you happier or make your life better after it's done," Julia clarified.
Ire tilted her head. "What? Why would you want that?"
Julia pointed at Ire. "Normally the idea of such a deal would disgust me, but I truly, truly want to help you, Ire. Your suffering deems you the closest thing to a god to me. I want to help you get what you deserve."
"Th-thank you," Ire stuttered. "You're too kind."
"You deserve it," Julia said. "Now do we have a deal?"
Ire opened her mouth almost instantly. "Yes! Please help me!"
The microphone on the screen turned into a green checkmark.
Ire grabbed one of the needles and pressed it into her wrist. It slowly entered her wrist as a small drop of blood poured out. She then raised the needle to her temple and did the same. Ire couldn't see her reaction through the mask. Julia took out a small black napkin and wiped the blood away. She then slid the tablet to Ire.
Ire stared at the tablet. She lifted the other needle and held it above her wrist. Her hands were shaking and she could barely move.
"Never went to the doctors before?" Julia teased.
Ire answered, "I have, but haven't done my blood before."
"Then it's your first time."
Julia crawled across the ground until she was right in front of Ire. She sat down with their knees touching and took the needle from Ire's hand. She used her other hand to pin Ire's hand down. She whispered, "I can do it for you."
Julia quickly lowered the needle before Ire could react. It sank into her wrist and Ire felt a burning sensation over her hand. She gritted her teeth, trying her hardest not to scream.
Julia shushed her. "You're okay."
Julia quickly took the needle out. Ire watched a drop of blood leave her wrist and drop to the carpet.
Julia spoke softly. "You didn't even scream. You're so strong."
Julia used one hand to hold Ire's chin, turning it to the right to expose her temple. She raised the needle up. Julia felt the shaking of Ire. She gently whispered, "Just a little more."
She inserted the needle into her temple. The same burning sensation returned again but twice as potent. Before Ire could speak, Julia placed her hand over Ire's mouth and Ire's yell was muffled through it.
Julia took the needle out of her temple. She then used her napkin to wipe Ire's wrist and temple. The tablet's green tick turned a blue one before turning off. Julia grabbed it and put it into her coat.
Julia dropped her mask into her lap. A smile bigger than anyone Ire had ever seen came to her face.
Ire sighed. "I guess that's it then."
Julia hugged Ire, tightly holding her. "I'm so happy for you! Soon everything will become perfect."
Ire questioned, "When do we start?"
Julia backed away from Ire. "Oh yes, I have something to ask of you. Tomorrow I want you to go to those monsters at your school and tap your head."
Ire slowly got up to her feet. "Why?"
"I will be watching you. Do this and I'll know exactly who to deal with," Julia explained. "You are the judge, the jury, and I'm the executioner."
Julia rose to her feet and moved to the lights, turning them on and relighting the room. She picked up the candle from the ground and made her way to the door.
Ire called out, "Where are you going?"
Julia turned back. "Home. Don't worry, you'll see me very soon. So stay alive a bit longer. Do it for me."
Julia opened the door and stepped outside before closing it behind herself.
Ire stood motionless in the room. She glanced at her hand, opening and closing it. She flopped onto the couch and lay face up, looking up at the ceiling. She reached out to the ceiling and thought to herself, "I'm the judge?"
Julia walked through the hall of the apartment, a satisfied smile on her face. She descended the stairs one by one, thinking to herself as she went.
Ire… how contradictory. I think a name like Joy would suit her better.
Julia reached the bottom.
To think I'd meet someone like her right on that roof, and Ze thought I was wasting time.
Julia exited the building.
I can't wait to meet them. Tayo, Myrra, and especially Isaac. I wish they were here right away.
Julia stood in front of the street.
I think I'd force-feed the girl lavender seeds and hit the boy with his own car, all while Isaac watches. After all is said and done, I'd pluck each of his eyes out and feed them to him… hmm… no, that's not right. If I do that, he won't be able to see what else I use on him. Such a dilemma.
A black car stopped in front of her. Julia opened the back door and stepped inside. The car was completely dark, leaving nothing visible.
Julia rocked left to right in her seat.
A coarse and tired voice emanated from the driver's seat. "You have fun?"
"One of my best nights for sure, Ze!" Julia answered, filled with joy.
The car started and the driver let out a small laugh. "Well, that makes one of us."
The car drove off the street and into the dark, disappearing into an endless void.
Maybe I'll let you decide Ire. After all… I'm your executioner.