“You’ll get what you deserve; I’ll make sure of it,” Alex begged with a cold barrel pressing into his right temple so hard he could hear his heartbeat throbbing through his ears.

“Empty promises are getting you no where. I want to know when I will see my assets!” An intimidating figure hovered over Alex as he shook uncontrollably. His knees were unstable under him. He knew he had to hang on, stall, make the man believe he knew something worth keeping him alive. His right knee slid out an inch and Alex winced as his skin opened up on the concrete. One wrong move could mean the end. All he could think was, “how did I end up here?”

Alex Poperaski had been delivering packages for a popular messenger service in Manhattan for only a month or so, but being a native New Yorker he was familiar with the city and the hectic biking regiment that he developed commuting to and from his previous job as a computer technician. He was happy to be living an adventure. Biking was great outdoor exercise and he didn’t mind even when it was raining. Alex met some interesting people, and that’s where he got into trouble this time. Antonio Edwardo was a businessman who seemed to be on the up and up. Utilizing Alex’s services for the past three weeks every few days, the messenger felt he had established a good relationship with the man and looked forward to his massive tips when he had completed a task to Edwardo’s satisfaction.

Now Alex wished he had never delivered even one of his dirty packages. The recipient of one of these packages was furious about the last delivery being “a little light,” as he put it. Alex knew he hadn’t touched the assets in any delivery, but never expected to be here, like this; Begging for his life, waiting for a miracle.

Suddenly the door flew open. It was Edwardo. “Slimy rat,” Alex silently sighed. Still he hoped this rat was there to stop this madness.

Edwardo stretched out his gripped hand to the tight-lipped gunman whose angry finger was itching to pull the trigger. “Is that everything?” He seemed even more upset than a moment ago.

“Of course not,” Edwardo made light of the situation, “Alex here will deliver anything you need very discreetly for the foreseeable future until the debt is paid for what he has done.”

Alex trembled openly in fear now more than ever. “Seeing this man everyday who pulled a gun on me?” Alex couldn’t think. His head was dizzy. The world was narrowing into a tunnel and then went black.

Alex awoke foggy-headed on the floor, a package ready to be delivered laid carefully next to him on the concrete. The note attached said, “Do a good job to stay alive one more day. Check in to see if I need you tomorrow.”

Alex wasted no time. He set off to his bike, took a deep breath, and kicked up the dust as he pedaled to save his life.