Chapter Six

“Look who we have here.” The security guard from the bank teased Ryan who was standing to enter the bank. 

Ryan had wrestled with a thunderstorm of emotions as he considered meeting Turner at the abandoned warehouse near the outskirts. 

Every bit of his being urged him to uncover the truth, to avenge his father’s unjust demise. Yet, there was a whisper of caution in his ear, reminding him of the danger that lurked in the shadows.

He had recalled the cheque Smith had handed him, a ticket to a new beginning, far away from the cobwebs of Regal Haven Hotel. 

He was ready for the new life. 

“I’m not here for your problems today. I have a lot going on in my life already. Just let me in the bank and do whatever I want to do.” Ryan restored. 

It was the bank where he does their delivery when he still works at the delivery place. 

The security guard opened the door for him, “You’ve been fired from your workplace right? Better don’t end up begging around the street.”

"We didn't order anything, delivery boy," Ella remarked, her eyes focused on the computer screen as her fingers swiftly moved across the keyboard.

"He's likely here to beg for 50 bucks," Bigger chimed in.

Ryan ignored their discussion. The discussion to him was a distraction, he’s used to it anyway. 

“I’m here to make a withdrawal,” he informed them.

The weight of his father’s memory pressed heavily upon him. He couldn’t let his father’s sacrifice be in vain. However, he also couldn’t ignore the chilling reality of the risks he would be taking.

Ryan chose the path of a new life. He knew he had to tread carefully, and meeting Turner at an abandoned warehouse seemed like a dangerous chance. 

He would not ignore the obvious possibility of a trap, just like the one that had claimed his father’s life. It was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.

Ella jeered, her tone dripping with mockery.

Laughter erupted among the bankers as they juggled their tasks.

Ryan looked around and found eyes looking up and down on him. He felt disgraced, but not hurt, because it was a familiar feeling for him. 

"You don't withdraw a mere $20 from the counter, delivery boy," Ella taunted.

He had made up his mind to use the cheque from Smith as his lifesaver. It was his ticket to freedom after all, to a life free from the darkness of the hotel. He would leave town, start anew, and put Regal Haven Hotel behind him. And also used the money to pay off the $500 loan he had collected for his ex-girlfriend’s birthday. 

“Here’s the Cheque I’m withdrawing with,” Ryan said, pointing it to the banker. 

They all looked at each other before Ella collected it.

Shortly, the look on their face turned to mockery and confusion ran through Ryan. 

“I’m waiting,” Ryan said. 

“You didn’t inform us. Delivery boy, you failed to mention your newfound talent for fraud to us.” Ella said, throwing the Cheque at him. 

“Wh what do you mean?” Ryan bent to pick up the Cheque. He struggled to find words in confusion. 

“That is a fake note. You forged it, didn't you?” Bigger accused him.