Page 210 - Musings 2020

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The Pact

Rajeev Singh Naruka 2017A7PS0010P, Sarkar Bharat A Waresh 2017A7PS0087P and Yash
Bhagat 2017A7PS0063P

After a long and tiring week of toiling at the factory, Richard could finally find some time for
himself. As per his weekend ritual, he slumped into the old, broken couch, casually took a
puff from the cheap cigarette in his hand, and tuned in to his favourite weekly soap opera
“The Dreamers”. Even though he was in his late thirties, he looked as if he was in his early
fifties because the heavy drinking and smoking had taken a toll on his body. He was
engrossed in the showdown between Edith and Clara, when the doorbell rang. “Who might it
be at this ungodly hour? I am not going to move until it ends.”, he thought. Indeed, it was a
strange event as Richard rarely had any visitors even during the daytime, since he lived alone
and wasn’t very friendly. Ten minutes later, the show came to its climax. Richard was
hanging on to every word as Clara began to expose Edith, having completely forgotten about
the doorbell. Suddenly there was a loud retort of a gun being fired and Richard clutched his
chest. He was in immeasurable pain and his vision started to blur. As everything around him
began to turn into white, he discovered himself separating from his own body.

Richard woke up and found himself lying in the midst of a shadowy hot place. Growling and
screeching of monsters filled the air and the atmosphere was ominous. In front of him was a
red-skinned Goblin with cold eyes and a menacing smile. Richard soon remembered his death
and asked hesitantly, “Where am I? Which place is this?”. The Goblin laughed hysterically
and replied, “You are in the kingdom of the mighty Satan. We all serve him.” Richard,
“What? Is this hell? I don’t deserve this!” Goblin replied mockingly, “You talk too much,
don’t you little man?” Richard couldn’t accept that he was sent to hell and continued to talk,
“Why me? I have never done anybody any harm! Life is so unfair…I don’t want to die…”.

“I think you might be interested in a pact with my lord Satan. You see, our one true lord,
Satan is very kind and noble. So, I can arrange a very beneficial pact for you, but it will be a
double-edged sword: sharp at both ends. I will send you back in time when you were alive.
You can save yourself from meeting your untimely death quite easily. Make sure though that
you don’t interact with your
previous self or let him see you. You won’t have to go through the pain of Hell for six
hundred sixty-six years. But if you fail, Satan will have your soul for eternity. It’s a good
bargain in my opinion and a generous offer to be precise. You don’t have much time to
decide. It’s a take it or leave it deal, little man!”, the Goblin sneered.

Richard was not sure what to do but the howling and screeching sounds of the monsters made
sure that he took the offer and had a shot at escaping Hell and getting back to his old life.
Richard thought that it won’t be that hard to keep himself from dying since he knew how he
had been killed. He replied, “I am ready to take on the risk.” Goblin replied, “Oh my! You are
a smart, smart man. Smart as they come. So down you go. Back in time.”

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