I remember the first time I saw Martin. It was at that diner near the hospital—late evening, after a long surgery. He sat alone, wearing a dark coat, staring at me like he already knew my name. I didn’t think much of it. Just a quiet kid.\n\nBut then he started showing up. Outside my office. At my daughter’s school. Always polite. Always smiling.\n\nI invited him home. My wife Anna was wary, but Kim liked him. Bob didn’t say much. That night, Martin asked me to dinner. His mother cooked. His sister watched me like a predator.\n\nThat’s when he told me.\n\n‘You took my father from me, Doctor. Now you must give me something of equal value.’\n\nI laughed. I thought it was a metaphor.\n\nThen Bob couldn’t move his legs.