COVENANTS OF CHAOS

Chapter Seven: Debt and Desperation

The kitchen table shook a bit as Lucas rested on it, gazing at the pile of bills spread out before him. The gentle buzz of the aged refrigerator broke the stillness in the small apartment. His mother's tea cup, only partially filled and cold, remained undisturbed next to his elbow. His fingers tapped on the table while he once more mentally computed the impossible figures.

"Lucas?" Evelyn's voice softly echoed from the hallway, filled with uncertainty.

"Sure, Mom?" he answered, still not glancing up.

"Did you settle the electricity bill?" she inquired, entering the room. She had on one of her old sweaters, loose on her delicate figure, her hands quivering a bit as she sat down opposite him.

"It’s included in the list," Lucas grumbled, pushing one of the envelopes aside. "I'm focusing on the rent and the healthcare expenses."

"They're about to turn off the power again," she murmured, her voice quiet as a whisper. "It occurred last month, do you recall?"

“I know,” Lucas said sharply, then immediately softened when he saw her flinch. “Sorry, Mom. I’ll figure it out, okay? Just… give me some time.”

Evelyn nodded, but her face was etched with worry. Her hands fidgeted in her lap, twisting the fabric of her sweater. “You’re doing too much, Lucas. You can’t keep carrying all of this on your own.”

“ What options do I possess?" Lucas retorted, his voice escalating until he realized it. He shut his eyes and reclined in his chair, passing a hand through his hair. “Apologies.” I simply… I cannot afford to lose this place. "Plus, I can't allow them to pursue you."

“Who are ‘they’?” Evelyn inquired, her tone heavy with worry.

Lucas paused, but before he could respond, a loud knock echoed at the door. They both became motionless.

“Lucas,” Evelyn murmured, her eyes shimmering. "That's them, right?"

“Stay put,” Lucas quickly exclaimed, rising and heading to the door. He looked through the peephole and cursed quietly. Two men dressed in dark suits were positioned on the opposite side, their faces showing coldness and impatience.

"Lucas Kane," one of them shouted, banging again, this time more forcefully. "Unlock the door." "We simply want to have a conversation."

“Sure, I can imagine,” Lucas said quietly, opening the door while keeping the chain secured. He opened it slightly to make eye contact with them. "What is it that you desire?"

A tall, broad man with a scar down his cheek leaned toward the door. "Mr. Moretti has sent us." "You understand the reason for our presence."

“I still don’t have the cash,” Lucas replied, speaking softly. "I informed him that I would require additional time."

The second man, shorter but just as intimidating, smirked. “More time? You’ve had plenty of time, Kane. Mr. Moretti’s been very patient, but patience runs out.”

“I’m working on it,” Lucas insisted. “Just give me a couple more weeks.”

The taller man’s expression darkened. “Weeks? You think this is a negotiation? You owe the Moretti family twenty thousand dollars. That debt doesn’t just go away.”

“Sure, I'm aware of how it functions," Lucas retorted, irritation surfacing. "However, you can't extract blood from a rock." "I’m putting in all my efforts."

“That’s not good enough,” the shorter man said, his smile vanishing. “Mr. Moretti doesn’t care *how* you get the money. Sell the van. Sell your furniture. Hell, sell a kidney for all we care. Just pay up.”

Lucas tightened his fists, his jaw clenching. "Do you believe I’m not making an effort?" I'm doing back-to-back shifts, hardly getting any rest, and overwhelmed with expenses just to ensure my mom stays alive. "Unless you have a superior suggestion, please leave my doorstep right now."

The taller man lifted an eyebrow, his face giving nothing away. "You have quite the audacity, Kane." However, if you believe you can charm your way out of this, you’re wrong.

The shorter man extracted a folded sheet of paper and pushed it through the gap in the door. "Take this as your last caution." Settle your debt, or we will return. “And the next time, we won’t be as courteous.”