Takashi Murowa was prominent among his peers as a mature and cold, yet successful businessman. He had risen the corporate ladder in his field, and was known to be as ruthlessly efficient as he was cunning. Some did not agree with his methods, but to him the bottom line was all that mattered. There was no room for morality or ethics in objective business.

All but him were unaware however of the depths Takashi had truly gone to secure his position. Takashi took advantage of every opportunity presented, including the one that had presented itself 15 years prior, when he was younger and even more ambitious. The Stranger that had presented himself out of shadows and offered a deal. Takashi's success and legacy in exchange for a debt. Takashi was willing to do anything to obtain his status, including negotiating with whom he believed was a madman. Takashi thought it silly but was willing to give superstition a chance.

Takashi packed his belongings, held his briefcase and retired for the night; leaving his office for his usual stroll home. A routine he had done for hundreds of days over several years. As he continued home, he thought to himself and grimaced. He was not keen on returning home; returning to a bewildered and nagging wife, or his uninspired, apathetic son. Takashi did not care for his family, they did not reciprocate his commitment to an ideal of hard work and self reliance. They were weak and he was in no mood to see them tonight.

He turned the corner off his usual path and noticed a luxurious bathhouse that was surprisingly still open at this time of night. He fancied himself relaxing in a sauna and a refreshing shower so decided to indulge himself. As he entered, the facility was alive with patrons and the hustle and bustle of a typical upscale bathhouse. Clients , mostly other businessmen of all ages , were rampant up and down the tiled halls as they showered or changed. Young, attractive female employees catered to their needs, delivering towels or assisting bathing or pampering older clients. The men would howl and flirt in excitement, and the women would smile and lead their patrons on.

Takashi disrobed, left wearing only a towel around his waist and made his way down the hallway to the sauna. There were men on both sides of the hall, being pampered and shaven or manicured by the young hostesses. it was uncomfortable for Takashi to navigate his way through the hall and he was honestly disgusted by the old flesh in front of him being massaged by the younger. He thought of his own fragility and age and only felt more disdainful of the scene before him. He continued forward, beginning to feel uncomfortable as the number of patrons only increased. He was stepping over feet, shins, legs, and arms, knocking into customers. He was alarmed by just how many customers they were able to fit in this hallway. It was alarmingly cramped yet the men and employees seemed to pay no attention to Takashi or their uncomfortable environment.

Takashi continued down the hallway, becoming alarmed as he felt he had already been walking for some time, yet the hallway of bodies continued. As he walked, a rather shocking image struck him; the women had become naked. catering to the men, their pale skin and beautiful bodies being submissive to the old wrinkled flesh. Takashi felt ill, he did not know he had entered this particular kind of business. He did not wish to be with a woman, he simply wanted a bath. His level of anxiety was only rising when he realized another terrible image.

The water on the ground had been rising.

He had been so distracted by the people around him that he did not notice that the water was up to his ankles. What a Ludacris and awful place and he decided to leave. when he turned around however, the image was the same. The same hallway, the same nude women rubbing and being groped by the old disgusting men; none of them paying any attention to Takashi. Takashi began to run, he had had enough of this god forsaken place.

As he ran, the water level continued to rise. The water was to his knees and he was thrashing through, the same bodies paying no mind to him or the commotion. He pushed and pushed through the seemingly endless hallway. His chest tight, and his heart beating fast.

As he ran he glanced down and almost vomited. The water had turned to a black sludge, full of garbage and massive thick clumps of black hair. The bodies on each side of the hallway still alive in their debauchery, drenched in the muck and exuberant in their excess.

Takashi ran and ran until almost falling. His legs and arms flailing franticly. Suddenly he stopped...

There was a woman in the middle of the hallway, bent down on her knees and arms. She laid directly in front of him, the only one to interact with takashi in any way and the only thing blocking his path.

The girl was naked, her pale supple skin showing every curve of her body to Takashi. Her head was down however, he could not see her face for it was covered by long jet black hair.

"please.... please... I don't wish to be here anymore, please just let me leave..."

Takashi's plea was let out with a faint whimper. The girl made no movement or sound.

"CAN'T YOU HEAR ME!? I SAID I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE, LET ME LEAVE!" Takashi now shaken with terror and howling at the girl.

the girl slowly raised her head. Takashi could now see her breasts and neck as she raised her face. slowly the image of a jaw appeared through the hair. a long devilish inhuman jaw. The row of teeth resembled that of a filthy dog, not a person.

Takashi was paralyzed by fear, he could no longer move let alone eek out a scream. a cold dry whimper was the most he could muster as he stood in shock.

The girl began to crawl towards Takashi.

There was a voice behind him...

" There is a debt..."