I woke up and looked in the mirror while you lay in bed. Still no reflection. Sun light in the room cast shadows, but not mine. In a panic I dressed hastily to leave the house. “Come back to bed” you said. “No” “Why not?” “I have to meet someone” looking at the clock I was already late. “Who?” “Non of your fucking business!” I screamed. “You can't speak to people like that.” “I just did.” “ I don’t think you're very nice.” I gave a slow sarcastic hand clap. “Top of the class, now fuck off.” Nonplussed you dressed and left. “Bye the way, no calls, no emails, no letters, but you were good. Byeee” I said. The door slammed, I watched which way you went. Then exited quietly in the opposite direction, breaking into a run to reach the rendezvous. I wanted it back. I reached the café, he wasn’t there yet. But he never broke a promise. Breathless, I sat down, ordered coffee. I saw him pass the window, he came through the door. I had seen him many times before, and he smiled at me and took a seat. “Well, hello there” the richness of his voice drew you forward. He continued.” You're still alive, in a way, but my, how you have changed.” My fists balled under the table. He laughed. “You can't hurt me. But I can erase you because now, you belong to ME.” “NO” I shouted. The people in the café looked at us. “Moderate yourself boy. Don’t frighten, it achieves nothing. Are you unhappy with the deal we struck?” His face was full of sympathy, and barely hidden malice. He went on. “You have been granted every childish dream you thought of. What you did with them was down to you.” My chest heaved as I knew this was true. “But what about me” I pleaded. He smirked. “You know there is no 'me'. Its just a construct to get you through the day. A trick of the mind. No self. Your Buddha got close, but difficult to bribe. Now you're a horse of a different colour. Eminently corruptible” his steady…