I Want to Die, But I Am Immortal

James walked out of the teachers' office his face a mask of wary confusion. He did not understand why Adam had called him out here into the empty hallway.

He was worried that something had gone wrong that Adam had discovered something about bounty.

"What's wrong Adam?" he asked his voice a little too cheerful. "It's been a long time since you came to see me. Is everything alright?"

Adam smiled. "Have you seen Philips in school these past few days?" he asked his question.

A bead of sweat trickled down James's forehead. He wondered if Adam knew about his connection to Philips. But he quickly dismissed the thought. It was impossible. He had been too careful.

He composed himself and smiled back a expression of concern. "You're right Adam," he said his voice a model of sincerity. "I've been wondering the same thing myself. He hasn't been to school in a long time. I hope he's okay."

"Yes but do you know that I know a dark secret of Philips?" Adam interrupted his voice a low whisper.

James's eyes widened. "A dark secret?" he asked his voice a little shaky now. "What are you talking about Adam?"

"Teacher do you know that Philips pushed a girl from his own class off a hill?" Adam said his eyes boring into James's his gaze a piercing accusation.

James's face paled.

"Someone told me when he was trying to kill me," Adam continued. "Although Philips was also involved I somehow managed to escape with my life."

James stumbled backwards his mind reeling. Adam knew. He knew everything. He knew about the bounty.

"What are you talking about?" he stammered more sweat pouring down his face his carefully constructed facade crumbling to dust. "I don't understand anything."

James knew he was trapped. His options were limited.

Adam smiled a cold cruel smile. "Why are you so scared Teacher James?" he asked his voice a soft and mocking whisper. "And why are you sweating so much? Have you done something wrong?"

James realized then that Adam had come to expose him. He had no other choice. He had to silence him. He clenched his fists and rushed at Adam his speed surprising for a man his age.

But Adam's senses were on a completely different level. He saw James's attack in slow motion a desperate lunge. He caught his fist in mid-air his grip like a steel trap. He then twisted his body using James's own momentum against him. He flipped him over his shoulder and slammed him hard to the ground.

James lay there stunned his body aching his mind a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. He could not believe what had just happened. One moment he was the attacker. The next he was on the ground helpless defeated.

Adam pressed his foot down on James's chest his expression a mask of cold fury.

"What do you think will happen to you James," he said his voice a low dangerous whisper "when everyone in this world finds out that a respected teacher from our school was after a child's life for money?"

James trembled under his foot. Sweat poured down his face as he considered Adam's words. He was ruined. His career his life everything he had worked for was over.

"But there's an opportunity for you," Adam continued his voice a chilling promise of a second chance.

"An opportunity?" James asked his voice a pathetic whimper a desperate plea for a way out.

"Yes a very good opportunity," Adam said. He removed his foot from James's chest and stepped back.

James struggled to his feet his body aching his mind reeling from the sudden reversal of fortune. "What kind of opportunity?" he asked.

"It's quite simple," Adam said his voice a flat monotone. "You just have to obey me. And I'll keep your and Philips's dirty little secrets to myself."

James realized then what Adam wanted. He wanted to control him. He wanted to make him his puppet. A thought crossed his mind. He could agree for now.

He could play along. And then in the future when he got the chance when Adam's guard was down he would kill him. He would take the bounty and disappear forever.

A small treacherous smile appeared on his face. "I'm ready to agree to everything you say," he said. "Just don't tell anyone about this secret."

Adam smiled back a knowing smile. "Absolutely," he said. "I won't tell anyone."

He knew what James was thinking. He could see the betrayal in his eyes. But he also knew that he had a power that James could never comprehend.

"Alright then," Adam said as he started to walk away. "Your first job is to bring me as much information about Philips as you can. Everything you know."

James remained standing in his spot a silent observer.

Adam then looked back at him his eyes burning with a cold fury.

"Follow me," he said. "Quietly. Do I need to tell you everything?"

James understood then that Adam was not just going to control him. He was going to torment him.

He was going to make him pay for his attack. He took a deep breath and started to walk behind him.

"You have one simple task," Adam said as they walked down the empty school hallway. "To make Philips as miserable as possible according to the tasks I give you. You're going to be my instrument of revenge."

"I didn't know you had such animosity towards Philips," James said surprised.

Adam smiled a cruel humorless smile. "Yes you're right," he said. "I also didn't know my own teacher wanted to kill me for a pile of cash."

He then slapped James hard across the face his hand a blur of motion.

"The next time you dare to question me," he said his voice a low growl "I will beat you senseless in front of the entire school. And you'll have to explain to them why I'm hitting you even as you watch yourself get beaten. Otherwise I have a very good excuse to frame you for something you do. Do you understand?"

James was utterly shocked and seething with a impotent rage. He desperately wanted to get rid of Adam. But he knew that for now he was trapped.