PROLOGUE

The man shakily held out the camera. His face was gaunt and almost white as he gave it to the vendor.
“I don’t want it anymore, p-p-please take it!â€? He shoved the camera into the vendor’s hands but the vendor refused, putting the camera in the man’s hands. The man jumped back and dropped the camera on the floor as if touching it anymore would kill him. It made a noisy echo on the marble.
“Take itâ€?, he whispered, “I can’t- can’t look at it anymore.â€?
“You bought itâ€? the vendor said bluntly, “and signed a contractâ€?. He held up the contract and passed it over to the man, his finger pointing to the words that had bound him to the camera. “I swear that until the camera has been given to a person willing to take the it, and accept what may happen, I am bound by my soul to keep itâ€?.