The Distrust Fund

Splurg

Dread befell Winston and Rita as they contemplated how to survive the relentless onslaught of assassinations upon them.

"So that Stello guy said we only have five days left to survive, right?" Rita asked.

"Yeah. After that, I inherit everything, and we get to live," Winston replied, trying to sound confident.

At that moment, Winston's phone began to ring, and he quickly picked it up. As he answered, he saw his mother being escorted out of the hospital in a wheelchair. She smiled and spoke.

"Good morning, son. I was hoping that you would have been here to escort me out of the hospital. Then again, you haven't been answering your phone all night."

"They must have blocked your phone," Rita whispered.

"What was that, sweetie?" Winston’s mom asked.

"Nothing, Mrs. Hershel," Rita replied quickly.

Cleo asked if Winston and Rita had been partying with their friends. Winston vaguely brushed off the question and asked more about how she was doing after her last chemo treatment and how she was getting home.

"The last treatment went well," Cleo said. "Mr. Tucker from church will be driving me home. Do not you dare change the subject, young man. I asked you a direct question, and I expect a direct answer. No matter how much money your daddy left you."

Rita snickered at Winston being lectured by his mother. "That goes for you too, Ms. McLean," Cleo said to Rita.

Winston and Rita explained that they were being escorted by Winston's father's staff about the company's standards. Before Winston could explain any further, his call with his mother was abruptly cut off, and Stello’s voice came on the line.

"My apologies, Mr. Hershel. But the benefactor has requested you and your friend to make your way to the mall to find a nice outfit for a special gala we will be having tonight."

"Wait. Didn't you just force him to go to the mall the other day after you shot me?" Rita yelled.

"That’s very true, Miss McLean," Stello said calmly. "But your friend forgot to purchase an outfit. So, my boss has instructed me to ensure that both of you find something of your liking. The limo will be outside in 10 minutes. I strongly suggest you be there, otherwise, I might just have to make a visit to Winston's mother."

The chilling threat against Cleo’s life was all Winston needed to nod and agree to Stello's demands. Ten minutes passed, and Rita and Winston made their way back to the limo, greeted by Sue.

"Good morning, Mr. Hershel. And you as well, Miss McLean. Please, come in," Sue said as she opened the car door.

"What’s with her creepy smile?" Rita whispered to Winston.

"When I figure that out, I’ll let you know," he whispered back.

They climbed into the limo, and Sue drove them to the mall. The ride was tense, with Winston and Rita exchanging worried glances but staying silent. The fear of what might happen if they did not comply kept them on edge.

Once they arrived at the mall, Sue turned to them with her unsettlingly cheerful demeanor. "I’ll see you both in two hours," she said. "And please, make sure you pay attention to your watches."

Winston and Rita nodded, exiting the limo, and heading into the mall. As they walked through the grand entrance, Rita grabbed Winston's arm.

"We need to keep playing along," she whispered. "We have to find the right outfits and stay on their good side until we can figure out a way to escape this nightmare."

"Agreed," Winston said. "Let's get this over with."

They navigated the various stores, their eyes constantly darting around for any signs of danger. Winston picked out a sleek black suit, while Rita chose an elegant red dress. Both outfits were tailored to perfection, a stark contrast to the turmoil they were experiencing.

As they paid for their purchases, Winston felt a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. The watch on his wrist was a constant reminder of the peril they faced. He glanced at Rita, who was trying to maintain a brave face despite the fear in her eyes.

After finishing their shopping, they returned to the entrance where Sue was waiting, still with that unnerving smile.

"Excellent choices," she said. "You both look splendid."

"Thanks," Winston muttered, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness.

They climbed back into the limo, and the drive back to the mansion was silent. Sue’s cheerful demeanor contrasted sharply with the tension inside the vehicle. Winston could not shake the feeling that she was enjoying their discomfort.

Back at the mansion, they were escorted to their rooms to prepare for the gala. Winston sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his suit laid out before him. The weight of their situation pressed heavily on him.

"We have to find a way out of this," he said to himself. "We can't keep playing their game."

Rita knocked on his door, and he let her in. She looked equally stressed, her eyes reflecting the same determination.

"We’ll get through this," she said. "We just have to stay strong and look for any opportunity to escape."

Winston nodded, appreciating her support. They dressed for the gala, trying to push down their fears and focus on surviving the night.

When they were ready, they were escorted to the grand ballroom, where the gala was already in full swing. The room was filled with elegantly dressed guests, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and the sound of soft classical music.

Winston and Rita mingled cautiously, aware that they were being watched. Stello was present, keeping a close eye on them. They knew they had to play their parts perfectly.

As the evening progressed, Winston noticed a group of people whispering in a corner, casting occasional glances in their direction. His instincts told him something was amiss.

"Rita, stay close to me," he whispered. "I think something’s about to happen."

Just as he said that their watches began to glow green. The ominous light sent a shiver down Winston's spine.

"Not again," Rita murmured, her voice trembling.

"We need to get out of here," Winston said urgently.

They made their way to the nearest exit, but the group of whispering guests blocked their path. Panic surged through Winston as he realized they were trapped.

Suddenly, the room plunged into chaos. The lights flickered, and masked figures appeared, attacking the guests. Winston and Rita fought their way through the crowd, trying to find a safe route.

"Over here!" Winston shouted, spotting a side door.

They ran through it, bursting into a dimly lit hallway. The sounds of the gala faded behind them as they raced down the corridor, their hearts pounding.

"We need to find a place to hide," Rita said, her voice shaking.

They turned a corner and stumbled into a storage room. Winston quickly locked the door behind them, and they both sank to the floor, gasping for breath.

"This is insane," Winston said, running a hand through his hair. "We can't keep running like this."

"We have to," Rita replied. "At least until we find a way to end this."

Their watches glowed red, signaling the immediate danger had passed. But the relief was short-lived, knowing the threat was far from over.

"We need to be smarter," Winston said. "We have to find out more about these people and why they’re doing this."

Rita nodded. "We’ll figure it out. We have to."

As they sat in the storage room, gathering their strength, they knew the battle was far from over. But they were determined to survive, to uncover the truth, and to end the nightmare that had been thrust upon them.