Episode 4
1792 Words
As they leaped back home, Finn couldn’t help but ask about the jewelry Ryder had handed over to Simon. He stopped abruptly, causing Ryder to stop as well.
Ryder frowned, his voice laced with concern. "What is it? Are you in too much pain?"
Finn shook his head in denial. "No... nothing I can’t handle."
Ryder let out a heavy sigh of relief. "What’s the matter then?" He could sense his brother had something he wanted to say.
"Where did you get those jewelries from? I remember Mom had nothing as expensive as that." Finn stared at him, waiting for a response.
Ryder let Finn lean against the wall behind him, releasing a heavy sigh.
Finn read him instantly and knew what had happened. "You stole it?"
Ryder pressed his lips into a thin line, the weight of his actions settling in his chest.
Finn said nothing for a moment, his face filled with silent understanding, and then his voice cracked. "I’m sorry," he whispered, voice choky and full of sorrow. "It's all because of me... I caused you to do all the shady things you never wanted to do." Tears rolled down his face, glinting faintly in the dim light.
"If only I was strong like you, you wouldn’t be the one struggling to pay the debt by yourself."
Ryder pulled him into a tight hug, his chest tight with unspoken pain. "It’s not your fault," he murmured, his breath warm against Finn’s ear. "I did what I did for our safety."
Finn pulled away and wiped his face, his hand trembling slightly. "When we finally pay all our debts, promise me you’ll leave this lifestyle?"
Ryder nodded. "Hm, I will. I’ll leave this shitty lifestyle and start doing something good with my life." His words were barely out when Alexandra’s voice sliced through the air, breaking the calm atmosphere.
"I guess we all will." She smiled, glancing at Finn, who stood next to Ryder, his bruised face now visible. "It’s been a hell of a stress getting to you, Ryder."
Ryder immediately adopted a defensive stance, his body tensing, willing to face Alexandra alone. He shielded his brother behind him, his fists clenched.
"I don’t have them... not anymore," Ryder said, his voice low and guarded.
Alexandra’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "That’s none of my business... Hand over my necklace, or else you and your brother won’t leave to see daylight." Her voice dropped into a low, chilling threat.
Ryder noticed the coldness in her tone, and his hands fell from their defensive position.
"What? You’ll kill me if I don’t have it? Then go ahead, because what you want is far beyond my reach," he said, his words tinged with bitterness.
"You must be bluffing." Alexandra’s hand flicked a signal, and Lucas lunged at Ryder.
Lucas grabbed Ryder by the neck and slammed him against the wall, the pressure squeezing the breath from him. Ryder didn’t try to fight back; he knew it was useless.
Alexandra frowned. She knew Ryder, had seen him fight. It baffled her that he didn’t even try to defend himself. She glanced at Finn again, noticing the bruises on his face, and understood what it meant.
"Where did you give it away?" Her voice was void of emotion, colder than the room’s air.
"It doesn’t matter, it’s already gone," Ryder struggled to say, even as Lucas tightened his grip.
"It doesn’t matter, huh?" Alexandra’s voice hardened, her teeth grinding together. "Well then, I might as well start with your brother."
At her words, Malcolm stepped forward, reaching for Finn.
Ryder panicked. "Wait!" His voice cracked as he closed his eyes, letting out a deep, frustrated sigh. What he was about to do could cost them both their lives.
"Simon," he breathed out, his voice barely above a whisper. "He’s the leader of a gang of debt collectors. I gave your necklace and watch to him."
Alexandra chuckled darkly. "You used my necklace to pay off your debts, huh?" Her voice was laced with disbelief.
Ryder rolled his eyes and looked away, the sting of his own failure biting deep.
"Malcolm, stay with this one," Alexandra ordered, her eyes narrowing on Ryder. "He will come with me to get back my things."
"No, I can’t come with you," Ryder said, his voice firm but strained.
Alexandra raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"
"I..." Ryder stuttered, unsure of how to explain himself.
"Don’t harm my brother," Ryder yelled, his voice raw.
"He won’t, if you behave," Alexandra answered coolly, her eyes unreadable.
Lucas grabbed Ryder’s arms, folding them behind his back, and pushed him forward. Ryder had no choice but to lead the way.
They walked in silence, the air growing heavier with each step until they reached the old, decrepit building. The door loomed in front of them, a dark reminder of the past Ryder had hoped to escape.
"In there," Ryder said quietly, bobbing his head toward the door.
"Take us inside," Alexandra commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument.
Lucas let go of Ryder’s hands, his grip lingering for a moment before he knocked on the door. The sound echoed in the empty street, sending a chill through Ryder's spine.
"Look who we have here. Got the rest of the money, or have you brought something nice for me?" Simon's voice was mocking, but when he saw Lucas, Alexandra, and Jack step into the room, his bravado faltered. He stumbled backward, fear flashing across his face.
"W-what is going on?" Simon asked, his voice trembling as he stared at Alexandra.
"Hand over the things you took from him," Alexandra ordered, her tone unyielding.
"I can’t, he’s indebted to me," Simon tried to explain, his voice desperate. But Alexandra cut him off sharply.
"They are mine!"
---
With Ryder’s own eyes, he watched Simon wither in the presence of Alexandra, his previous confidence crumbling like brittle paper. Ryder couldn’t help but ask the question gnawing at him.
"Who is she, and what power does she have over a man like Simon?"
He had always thought Simon was intimidating, but now, seeing Alexandra, she seemed far more dangerous.
What the hell is going on?
He watched, speechless, as Alexandra commanded with a single word, and Simon, once a fearsome figure, immediately agreed to release them from their debts. Ryder didn’t understand why she did it, but whatever the reason, it was enough to save his and Finn’s lives.
When everything was settled, they stepped out of the building. The cool night air hit Ryder's skin, and he let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding.
"That in there was scary," Ryder exclaimed, his voice hoarse, the tension finally lifting from his shoulders.
"Now that I’ve set you free, it’s time for you to pay me back."
"Hell no, I didn’t ask for it," Ryder refused, his words sharp, but his mind still reeling.
"Okay," Alexandra’s voice dropped, her smile cold. "I might as well go in there and tell him to multiply the amount you owe by ten, and bill you for the extra."
Ryder’s stomach dropped. "No, please, wait!"
"I don’t have money, as you can see. How on earth do you expect me to pay you?"
"Work for me," Alexandra said without batting an eye, her tone matter-of-fact.
"Hell no. I can’t get involved in any more shady business, and you’re no saint," Ryder shot back. He had promised Finn to find a better way, something safer for them both.
"You have two choices."
Ryder could feel the weight of the situation pressing on him. He didn’t want to get caught up in Simon’s threats again, but the thought of what might happen to Finn if he didn’t agree made his heart race.
"I can work for you, but I need to take care of my brother."
"That shouldn’t be your problem. I’ll handle any responsibilities that come with your brother. Just play your part well, and you have nothing to worry about," Alexandra said, her voice devoid of warmth.
"But, what if Simon comes after me? What if he hurts my brother and I’m not there to protect him?" Ryder’s voice trembled with a fear he couldn’t shake.
"He will be protected, and I promise no harm shall befall him," Alexandra assured him, her voice unwavering.
Since that night when Ryder saved him, Alexandra had wanted more than just her necklace. She had seen something in Ryder, something she could use. And now, she was getting it.
Ryder saw the assurance in her eyes and knew that, for Finn’s sake, this was the best option.
"Fine," he gave in after a long, heavy pause.
"What do you want?"
"Be my bodyguard," Alexandra said, her words flat and final.
Ryder let out a dry laugh, disbelief washing over him. "Why don’t you just take my life instead of risking it?"
"I love seeing you suffer before your end," Alexandra’s voice held no sympathy, just cold, merciless amusement.
Ryder shivered. "I can’t believe I wanted to hear something kind from you." He turned and began walking away, the weight of his decision pressing down on him like a stone.
"You start tonight," Alexandra’s voice cut through the air, cold and final.
Ryder froze mid-step, spinning around, his exhaustion clear. "Have some heart. I’m leaving my brother behind, Alexandra. Give me two weeks. At least let me make sure he’s okay."
Alexandra’s lips curled into a smirk that didn’t reach her eyes. "A night," she said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Ryder clenched his fists, his body trembling with suppressed frustration. "Heartless woman," he muttered, though it wasn’t loud enough for her to hear. His voice firmed as he raised his head. "Three days. That’s the least I can give you. Take it or leave it."
There was a long pause, the tension thick in the air, before Alexandra nodded curtly. "Fine. Three days."
Relief washed over Ryder, but it was fleeting. He turned, forcing his battered body forward, each step a painful reminder of the path he had chosen. His thoughts spiraled, but one thing remained clear: as long as Finn was safe, he could endure anything.
As Ryder glanced back at Alexandra’s silhouette, a chill ran down his spine. Her expression wasn’t just calculating—it was triumphant, like a predator savoring its prey’s inevitable surrender.
"From the frying pan into the fire," Ryder muttered under his breath, a bitter smile twisting on his lips.
He shook
his head and refocused on the only thought that mattered. As long as Finn is safe, I’ll endure it all. Even if it means roasting on this fire for the rest of my life.
- Writer
