I slide the red backpack across the table to the hooded figure across me. He peers inside. “Where the hell did you find this?” The astonishment in his gravelly voice was not well hidden.

“Does it matter? You got what you want, now give me what I want.” He peeks at me from under his hood.

“What if it’s fake?” He drops the bag back on the table.

“It’s not.” I slide the red back back across the table, the hooded figure across me peers inside. “Where the hell did you find this?” He asks, the surprise in his gravelly voice clear.

“Does it matter? You got what you want, now give me what I want.” He peeks at me from under his hood.

“What if it’s fake?” He drops the bag back on the table.

“It’s not.”

“Prove it.” He challenges.

“How can I prove that?” I try to steady my voice and not shout. He leans back, considering for a moment.

“Tell me a detail only the original owner would know.” He finally says.

He has me. I don’t know, but I can’t say that. I decide to drag it out. “And what would happen if I didn’t have the answer? Hypothetically.” I ask.

“If you don’t have the answer, we reconsider our deal.”

“What do you mean by “reconsider our deal”?”

“It means the terms will change. ” He tilts his head, eyes narrowing.

“Well of course, but what would they change to?”

“That's for me to decide,” he says, his tone turning colder. I stand still for a moment. It’s fake. I don’t have his answers. This was stupid. I turn to run. But I don't get far. His grip is iron as he catches my arm, yanking me back. His hood drops back, revealing scars and a sneer. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he growls.

“Please, I’m sorry-I just wanted my mom back.” I whimper and struggle to get free from him. His grip tightens, and his eyes bore into mine. “Sorry won’t cut it. You lie to me, you pay the price," he snarls. I feel my options slipping away.

“Wha-what is the price?” I stammer.

He smirks, leaning dangerously close. “The price? Do you really want to know?”

I hesitate, then nod. “You work for me until you repay your debt,” he says.

“What does working for you entail?” I ask, trying again to slip out from his grasp. His smirk deepens, and he pulls me closer. “Anything I need,” he replies. “Whether it’s dangerous or menial, you’ll do it.

“No-I refuse to do that.” His laughter is cold. “Oh, you don’t have a choice,” he says, dragging me forward.

“Wait-where are you taking me?” His eyes flash with a mix of menace and amusement as he says, “You’ll see soon enough.”

“No! Tell me now!” But he only laughs again, a chilling sound that sends shivers down my spine. I change strategies. “Please..I get you the real one. Just let me go.” I whisper. He pauses, considering my offer with narrowed eyes. For a moment, silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating. “I don’t believe you,” he finally says, his voice low and dangerous.

Tears brimmed my eyes. “Please..just give me another chance!”

He tightens his grip, his expression unyielding. “Do you really think you deserve another chance after what you’ve done?” My silence gives him his answer and he continues dragging me forward. As we turn a corner, the shadows grow darker, the air colder. My breath hitches. Desperation claws at me, but I stay silent, realizing that begging won’t change his mind. We stop outside a door and he opens it. A bedroom. Inside, it's dimly lit, with heavy curtains blocking any light from entering.

“What are we doing here?” I lean away from him a little. He pushes me inside, his grip firm.

“You wanted another chance,” he says, pointing to a chair in the corner. He releases my arm and gestures for me to sit in the chair. I take slow hesitant steps towards it and sit down. I shiver, watching him as he paces the room. The tension mounts as he regards me with a mix of anger and something darker. He stops pacing, his eyes locking onto mine with a determined glint. My body tenses, waiting for him to speak, to do something. He crosses the room swiftly, leaning down to meet my eyes. “If you want redemption, you’re going to have to earn it.

Hello! I’m trying to get back into writing on here, I’m a little out of practice on it! Hope you enjoyed 🤍