CONTRACTUAL TORTURE

chapter 3: A Friend In Time

They say desperate times calls for desperate measures and that was exactly where Irene was, at the moment. She was desperate to get out of abject poverty, desperate to stop being looked down upon as the vermin of the city and above all, her brother's life hung in the balance.

“I'll sign your contract.” Irene declared. “I am in.”

As soon as Irene said this, a sly smile tugged at the corners of the mouth of this stranger, casting an uneasy feeling upon Irene. The stranger brought out a pen from his coat and leaned closer to Irene with eyes as cold as ice. “Sign it, and all your problems will vanish.” He promised.

Irene ignored all the red flags and alarms screaming within her, she reached out, took the pen and put down her signature, sealing the deal. Once this was done, she felt more like she had sold her soul to the devil only this time the devil wasn't a fiery being from hell but this cold and calculated man sitting next to her.

“Your account number?” The stranger asked casually, bringing out his phone as he did so.

Irene carefully gave the account details which the man slid his fingers on the screen of his phone swiftly and calmly. In a matter of seconds, Irene's own phone beeped and right there on the screen was the alert she had received of 2.5 million dollars. She really couldn't believe this! This was like a dream!

She turned to stare at the man but the man was now returning his pen and the contract back to his bag with a face that seemed like it was cut out of stone.

“So… so what next?” Irene asked.

“A car will pick you up at your residence tomorrow at 10:30 am.” The man replied. “Make sure you pack all your essentials before then.”

“Y.. you know where I live?” Irene asked slowly.

“Now I do.” The man replied. “Till then.”

With that, the man turned and walked away quietly, leaving Irene there with a thousand thoughts running through her mind. She stared again at the alert that was still on the screen of her phone, still trying to process what was happening. It was then she finally came to her senses and realized with a sudden pang what she should be doing.

Irene quickly called at the hospital where Mike was admitted and let them know that she was going to transfer the amount needed for his surgery. Immediately after that call, she pushed the money forward to the hospital's account and then proceeded to hail a taxi and drove straight for the hospital.

Irene felt that the cab wasn't going fast enough, she felt the urge and need for the driver to slam his foot down that accelerator and speed up but at the same time she knew this wasn't the movies, there were cops about and the risk of getting into an accident wasn't deniable so she sat with all the patience she could muster, waiting in silence as the cab weaved through traffic.

Her phone rang, almost startling Irene but pulling her out of her thoughts. It was her best friend Xavier who was calling.

“Hello Xavier.” Irene answered the call.

“Irene! Where have you been? I dropped by at your apartment but you weren't home, tried calling like five times but couldn't reach you.” Xavier complained on the other end.

“I'm heading towards the hospital now. It's about Mike.” Irene replied.

“Mike? What about Mike? What's happened to Mike?!” Xavier's voice was so full of concern and this alone, warmed Irene's heart a little.

“He's going to be alright, I guess.” Irene replied, hoping against hope that this surgery turns out well. “He's going in for his surgery now.”

“What do you mean… Irene? How did you get the bill?” Xavier asked.

“Meet me at the hospital. I'll explain better.” Irene replied with a heavy sigh.

“On my way.” Xavier replied before the call disconnected.

***

Meanwhile in another place, Xavier was on a date with his girlfriend Saundra. Xavier had just gotten off the phone.

“What? You're leaving already? Didn't you just get here?” Saundra asked in disbelief.

“I know babe, but I really have to go now. Irene really needs me by her side.”

“Irene!” Saundra hissed with her jaws clenched tightly with her fist slamming the wooden table between them. “Irene, Irene, Irene! That's all you ever talk about! That's the only person you care about!” She yelled accusingly.

Xavier sighed, unconsciously running a hand through his long and flowy red hair. Saundra could be difficult to deal with, at times but Xavier had already made up his mind.

“This has been established already, Saundra. Irene was the one person who stood by me when I had nothing. It's only right for me to be there when she needs me too.” Xavier explained.

“But you promised!” Saundra almost yelled. “You promised that we'll have this date today after work.”

“Which is why I'll make it up to you, babe.” Xavier said, rising up to his feet. “I'll make it up to you, I promise. But right now, my best friend needs me and I need to be a source of strength for her.”

Xavier leaned in to kiss Saundra's head but Saundra shrinked back and away from him. “I think we should take a break, Xavier.” She said.

“Oh come on, Saundra…”

“Go be with your friend or whatever.” Saundra stood abruptly and began to literally bounce away with her anger evident in her steps. Xavier let her go. He made a mental note to make Saundra see reason later but at the moment, he really needed to be at the hospital.

***

At the hospital, Irene sat in the waiting area anxiously tapping her feet in a rapid motion while she waited for the doctors to complete surgery on her brother. Time crept by with the seconds dragging by leisurely like hours for Irene.

The moment the door of the operation room buzzed open, Irene shot to her feet and approached Dr Linch, the doctor who had just carried out the operation.

“Dr Linch! Dr Linch!” Irene called as she approached the old Doctor. “Is my brother okay? Is Mike okay? Was the operation a success?” She asked breathlessly.

“Slow down young lady.” Dr Linch spoke calmly and assuringly. “Your brother is okay and the operation was also a success. Although I fear if you hadn't sent the money on time…” He trailed off. “Well, it's good you managed to send the money on time.”

“Can I see him now?” Irene asked eagerly.

“I'm afraid not.” The doctor replied. “This was a major operation. The boy needs to rest, give him a little more time and you'll see him, alright?” Irene nodded slowly. “Well if you'll excuse me, I have business to tend to.” Dr Linch walked away.

Slowly, Irene approached the door of the theater and looked in through the peephole. She saw Mike lying there on the hospital bed, unconscious and totally oblivious to his surroundings with an IV drip in his hand.

At the sight of her brother, Irene's hand went to her mouth and tears rolled freely down her cheeks as a wave of guilt washed over her, threatening to drown her. She couldn't help but blame herself for all this, for her brother's suffering and condition.

“I should have been there for you.” She soliloquized. “I shouldn't have left you, this is all my f*cking fault!”

“Don't beat yourself, Irene. None of this is your fault.”

Irene immediately turned around to see the speaker and saw Xavier standing there behind her with two hands in the pockets of his Jeans trousers.

Relief washed over Irene immediately at the sight of her best friend and she felt like crying again. Always at the ready to offer consolation, Xavier opened his arms and she fell in, sobbing slightly while Xavier patted her back gently.

“There, there. Easy, Irene, easy.” Xavier whispered softly.

They parted again with Irene wiping her eyes with the back of her hands. “Xavier, I'm really glad you could make it.” She said.

“I didn't hesitate.” Xavier replied. “How's Mike?” He jerked his head towards the direction of the door.

“I haven't been in, to see him yet.” Irene replied. “Doctors want him to rest now.”

“Come on, we'll sit and wait then.” Xavier said and taking Irene by the hand, he led her back to the waiting area and they both sat down to wait.

Together they sat at the waiting area in silence, waiting for the right time to finally see Mike. While they waited, Xavier dozed off but as for Irene, she was as sharp as she could be with her eyes fixed on the wall clock opposite her and counting the seconds as they crept by. The doctor had said one hour and that was exactly what Irene was counting.

Once an hour had elapsed, she got up quickly and tapped Xavier's shoulder. “Xavier.. Wake up.”

Xavier opened his eyes sharply. “What? Is it an hour already?” He asked.

“Yes it is.” Irene replied. “Come on.” She said and headed towards the room where Mike lay unconscious.

They entered the room and made their way to Mike's sick bed. Looking at her brother up close brought another wave of tears to Irene's eyes and she began to sob as she caressed Mike's hair and forehead. “This was my fault.” She kept saying. “If I were there by your side you wouldn't have gotten yourself shot.”

“Shot?” Xavier frowned. “I thought Mike was only beaten up.” He said.

“Those boys shut him, Xavier.” Irene replied amidst tears. “He was shot.”

“What? How's it you're telling me this now?” Xavier asked. “What became of his attackers?”

“They all had wealthy parents Xavier, what do you think?” Irene asked bitterly.

“No way..” Xavier shocked his head. “You mean those thugs weren't prosecuted?”

“I tried, Xavier. I tried.” Irene sniffed. “What do I have, to hire a lawyer? There was just nothing I could do!”

Xavier was shocked and heartbroken. He didn't know what to say again but slowly patted his friend on the back. “Be strong Irene.” He consoled her calmly. “You've got to be strong for Mike. He wouldn't want you crying your eyes this way.” He said.

Irene sniffed again and wiped her eyes. “The most important thing is that Mike is gonna be okay.” She assured herself.

“Yes, definatly, Irene.” Xavier backed her up. “You haven't told me where you got the money for his bills though?”