Chapter 5: The parcel

Joe’s head throbbed as he was tossed around like a ragdoll by the men who dragged him across the floor.

His body ached from the punches and kicks, but he forced himself to stay conscious.

His vision blurred for a moment before a rough hand grabbed him by the collar, shoving him across the room with brutal force.

He stumbled and crashed into another door, falling into what seemed like a smaller room.

“Place him in that corner,” the man in white ordered from the doorway.

The men who had been handling Joe hesitated for a second, looking at each other before obeying.

They roughly yanked the ropes from his wrists, leaving red, angry marks where the bonds had cut into his skin.

Joe slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.

“Leave us,” the same voice ordered.

Joe glanced up, his vision clearing enough to see the man speaking.

The other men left without a word, closing the door behind them.

Joe tried to sit up, wincing as pain shot through his side.

“What’s your name, young man?” The man asked, staring at him closely.

“Joe,” Joe said breathlessly, forcing himself to speak, and the man smiled.

“A very fine name for a valuable man.” The man said with a crooked smile.

“Do you know what I like about men like you?” The man raised a brow.

He was quiet, then he spoke up again, answering his own question.

“Men like you love to play hero. You tend to feel like you can save anybody.”

“That’s not why I’m here…”

The man raised a hand, silencing Joe.

“Don’t fucking talk until I finish!” He screamed. That seemed to shut Joe up.

“So, where was I?” He turned around swiftly.

“You love to play hero, forgetting that the hero story never ends well, " the man said, moving closer to Joe. “Just look at you. Now you have to pay for your friend’s debt with your life.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way; I can get you money,” Joe said slowly. I just came into a big inheritance. I can pay you whatever you want. Just let me and my friend go."

The man chuckled, a loud and bitter one.

“I don’t care about your money,” he said, stepping closer.

“I need you to do a job for me.” He continued.

Joe swallowed hard, trying to make sense of the situation.

“A job?” Joe asked. “What kind of job?”

The man reached into his coat, pulled a cigarette, and lit it. He took a drag before speaking, exhaling a cloud of smoke that landed on Joe’s face.

“I need you to steal something for me.”

Joe blinked. “Steal something? What—what do you want me to steal?”

“There’s a house,” the man said. “In the upper section of the city. It’s the largest building in that part of the city. Inside a safe somewhere, there’s a parcel. It’s small but very important. I want you to retrieve it for me.”

Joe’s heart skipped a beat as the house description clicked in his mind.

His throat went dry. “Wait... I know that house. That’s—”

The man raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“That’s my girlfriend’s house,” Joe whispered. “I mean ex-girlfriend. Her father lives there. He’s... he’s a dangerous man. A ruthless man. I can’t break into his house. I can’t—”

The man took another step forward, his face inches from Joe’s now. “I don’t care who lives there. I don’t care if it’s your girlfriend’s father or the devil himself. You will steal that parcel, or you and your friend die.”

Joe’s pulse raced, and panic flooded his veins.

“No, please... I can’t do this. You don’t understand. If he catches me, he’ll kill me. Her father... he’s not someone you mess with.” He said.

“I’m not someone you mess with either,” the man growled. He took another drag of his cigarette before flicking it to the floor. “So, you’ve got two choices. You get me that parcel, or I kill your friend right here and now. Then I’ll kill you. Your life means nothing to me.”

“Please,” Joe begged. “There has to be another way. I can’t do this... I can’t.”

The man’s expression darkened. He turned towards the door and said, “Bring me my gun. And bring his friend.”

Joe’s stomach dropped as the door opened, and two of the men returned, one carrying a sleek, black handgun, the other dragging Jerry into the room.

Jerry groaned as he was tossed to the floor, and Joe’s heart shattered. He couldn’t let his friend die because of him. He couldn’t.

“I’ll do it!” Joe shouted. “I’ll do the job!”

The man paused. His eyes were filled with satisfaction.

He motioned for his men to stop.

“Good,” he said, a slow smile spreading. “You’re making the right decision, Joe. A smart decision.”

Joe felt a sickening wave of relief wash over him, but dread quickly replaced it.

What had he just agreed to? How could he even begin to do what this man was asking?

“You’ve got fifteen minutes,” the man said. “You go to that house, get the parcel, and report back to me. If you’re not here in fifteen minutes... your friend dies.”

Joe’s hands trembled. “Fifteen minutes? But...”

“And if you think about running,” the man continued, “or calling the cops... I will hunt you down. I will find you, and I will kill you and everyone you care about. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” Joe said.

“Good. Now go,” the man said, gesturing toward the door. “Your time starts now.”

Joe stumbled to his feet and rushed out of the building. His legs were shaky, but he moved as fast as he could.

As he walked down the street, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

He pulled it out, glancing at the screen.

It was the same number that called him yesterday.

Joe groaned.

He couldn’t deal with him now.

Finally, with a deep breath, Joe ended the call.