MY FATHER’S STICK
Slowly, as it cost him everything, he let go of my wrist.
I signed my name at the bottom of the page.
Moreau smiled and signed beneath it. Then he took a silver lighter from his drawer, held the old thick contract over the metal tray on his desk, and set it on fire. We all watched the pages blacken and curl until nothing was left but ash.
“It’s done,” Moreau said. “You have eleven days of freedom left. Use them wisely.”
He looked at Adrian. “Take your son and get out of my house. If either of you comes back before the thirty days begin, the deal is void.”