Monsters

Chapter 2: The First Real Game

Ayman had tasted the power of manipulation, and now, he wanted more. The small victory with Khalid had given him confidence, but he knew that if he wanted to truly change his life, he had to take bigger risks.

The opportunity came when his mother fell sick. She could barely work, and their financial struggles worsened. Rent was overdue again, and the landlord’s threats became more aggressive. Ayman knew he had to act fast.

At school, he observed his classmates closely, searching for his next move. He noticed Omar, a boy whose father was a well-known businessman. Omar was different from Khalid; he was smart but insecure, always desperate for approval. Ayman saw weakness and an opportunity.

Over the next few weeks, Ayman befriended Omar. He flattered him, listened to his problems, and became his closest confidant. Omar, who never had a true friend, began trusting Ayman completely.

Then, Ayman planted the first seed of his plan.

“Omar, have you ever thought about proving yourself to your father? Showing him that you can handle things on your own?” he asked one afternoon.

Omar hesitated, then nodded. “Of course, but my father doesn’t think I’m ready.”

Ayman smiled. “Then maybe it’s time to show him.”

Over the next few weeks, Ayman manipulated Omar into stealing a small amount of money from his father’s office. He made it seem like a challenge, a test of courage. Omar, eager to impress both Ayman and his father, did as he was told.

Ayman took a portion of the money, just enough to cover his mother’s medical expenses and rent. Omar never suspected that he was being used. He believed Ayman was helping him become stronger.

But Ayman knew this was only the beginning. He had played his first real game, and he had won. And in the world he was beginning to shape, winning was all that mattered.

As he walked home that night, Ayman felt something new inside him—power, control, and the hunger for more.

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The next morning, Ayman woke up early. He lay in bed for a few moments, staring at the cracks in the ceiling, listening to the faint sounds of the city waking up outside his window. The smell of bread from the bakery downstairs mixed with the damp scent of their old apartment. His mother was still asleep, exhausted from her illness.

Ayman quietly got dressed, slipping on his worn-out shoes, and stepped outside. He had a new plan forming in his mind. Omar had been an easy target, but if he wanted to take things to the next level, he needed to be smarter, more careful.

At school, he watched as Omar walked into class, a confident smile on his face. Omar had taken more money than Ayman expected, and he was enjoying the feeling of rebellion. Ayman knew it wouldn’t last. Eventually, Omar would get caught, and when that happened, Ayman had to make sure his own name stayed clean.

During lunch, Ayman sat with Omar and his usual group of friends. He listened as Omar bragged about how easy it had been to take the money, how his father hadn’t even noticed. The other boys laughed, impressed. Ayman stayed quiet, letting Omar enjoy the attention.

Then, subtly, he planted the next step in his plan.

“You know,” Ayman said casually, “if you really want to prove yourself, you should invest that money in something. Make it grow.”

Omar looked at him, intrigued. “What do you mean?”

Ayman leaned in, lowering his voice. “Rich people don’t just keep money—they make it work for them. We could start something small, buy things cheap and sell them at a higher price. I know a guy who sells imported watches at a discount. We could buy a few, sell them to the kids at school, and make double the money.”

Omar’s eyes lit up. He loved the idea of making more money, proving his intelligence. Ayman knew exactly how to push the right buttons.

Within days, the plan was in motion. Omar handed over most of the stolen money, and Ayman made sure to keep his own cut before buying the watches. He arranged for a few students to buy them, ensuring a profit.

But Ayman had no intention of keeping Omar in the loop forever. He needed a way to shift all the blame when things inevitably fell apart.

A week later, word spread that a teacher had been asking about stolen money. Omar started to panic. “What if they find out?” he whispered to Ayman one afternoon.

Ayman placed a hand on Omar’s shoulder. “Relax. They have no proof. And if they ask, we deny everything.”

But Ayman had already put his real plan in motion. That evening, he left an anonymous tip with one of the school staff, mentioning that he had overheard Omar talking about money he “borrowed” from his father. He made sure to sound concerned, like a loyal student looking out for his friend.

The next morning, Omar was called into the principal’s office. Ayman watched from a distance as Omar walked in, his face pale. By lunchtime, everyone was talking about it. Omar had been caught, and his father had been informed.

Ayman made sure to play the role of the concerned friend. “I hope he’s okay,” he said to his classmates. “He told me he was trying to prove something to his dad. Maybe he made a mistake.”

By evening, Omar’s father had taken him out of school. Ayman never saw him again.

Ayman learned two valuable lessons that day. First, trust was the most powerful tool in his arsenal. If people believed he was their friend, they would hand over control without even realizing it. Second, when things went wrong, it was always better to have someone else take the fall.

As he walked home, Ayman felt that same rush of power he had felt before.