The deadline
530 Words
The rain had not stopped by the time Mia left the café.
She stood under the rain, clutching the envelope in her coat pocket as it might burn through the fabric. The surrounding city was blurred with headlights smeared across wet pavement, umbrellas bobbing past in quick, hurried steps.
Seven days until eviction.
One day until Alexander Kane's offer vanished.
Her bus pulled up with a groan. She climbed abroad, avoiding the curious glances from other passengers. Her fingers itched to open the envelope, to see exactly how much was inside-but she didn't. She was afraid that once she saw the number, the decision would be made for her.
When she got home-her tiny, peeling one-bedroom apartment-she threw her damp coat on the chair and dropped her bag on the bed. The air smelled faintly of rain and something else... metallic.
She froze. The door was closed, but she was sure she'd left the window cracked open this morning.
"Mia?" Her own voice sounded too loud in the silence.
No answer.
She stepped quietly to the kitchen and grabbed the heaviest thing in reach-a frying pan. Slowly, she edged toward the bedroom.
Nothing, just the draft from the now-shut window.
Her nerves buzzed as she locked it and drew the curtains. Maybe she was imagining things. Maybe her phone buzzed.
Unknown number: You shouldn't be alone tonight.
Mia's chest tightened.she typed quickly:
Who is this?
No reply.
A knock at the door made her jump so hard she nearly dropped the phone.
She hesitated. Who's there?
"it's me."
She knew that voice instantly.she opened the door to find Alexander Kane standing there, perfectly dry despite the rain, holding a small black umbrella.
"You -how do you know where I live?" she demanded.
" I told you,"he said, stepping inside without waiting for permission." I have ways of knowing things."
" That's not creepy at all,"she muttered.
He glanced around the apartment, his sharp eyes missing nothing." You didn't answer my text."
Her stomach dropped. " You sent that?
" Yes. You shouldn't be here alone. There are people who would take advantage of your situation.
" People like you? She shot back.
His gaze hardened. People are much worse than me."
For a moment, the air between them was thick with unspoken things.
Then he moved closer, close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. " You have until tomorrow night, Mia.
But understand this-waiting until the last minute could be dangerous."
Her pulse quickened. Dangerous how?"
Instead of answering, he reached into his cost and set something on the counter.A small,silver key.
" What's this?"she asked.
" My apartment key.if you say yes.you'll need it. If you say no... He turned toward the door. Throw it away.
And then he was gone, just as suddenly as he'd arrived.
Mia locked the door, leaned against it, and exhaled shakily.
The envelope sat on the table like a silent dare. The key gleamed under the dim light.
Her eviction notice still blinked on her phone screen.
She had 24 hours.
And for the first time, she wondered if she was already in over her head.
- Writer
