The Pawn

The Attack

Well fed devils behave better than famished saints.

“Are you sure about this?”

I tightened my chest, feeling a sharp pain right beside my heart from the action.

“Artis..?”

I looked up, only to be met with empty, drained gray eyes. His sweatshirt loosely hangs on his body, the sweatpants imitating the top, then his face again. Pale, tired. It took me a while to realize that the guy I stared at was my reflection in the mirror.

“Yes, Maria, I’m sure.” I answered as my friend repeated my name once again. I forgot I was on a call, I have done this quite often lately. Zoning out.

“Okay.. You can always back out, it's never late.” I nodded. Stupid. She can’t see you.

“Thank you,”

I threw my phone on the bed. You have to Artis. This is only a one-time thing, this is for your future.

Tick tick tick

I might as well just sell this watch. It will make a good amount of money and money is all that I need right now.

Hearing the phone buzz, my heart skipped a beat. Soon a cool sweat appeared on my forehead. It can’t be him again. You blocked his number twice already. Calm down, Artis.

My hand slightly trembled when I started to slowly reach for the phone, but quickened the movement, trying to act tough. You are tough.

A sigh of relief almost left my lips when I noticed that it was just teacher’.

**Mr. Roberts (The grouch)**

‘They gave you only 5 days. I couldn’t do anything else, decide wisely.’

Oh for f***s sake. At this rate, it would have been better if he had texted. It doesn’t matter anyway, I have it all figured out. I trust Maria, and it is just a mere club performance. As long as it gives me money, I will do it.

I stood up, but regretted doing it so quickly. My head started to spin, and I could see the black dots forming. The instant need to eat stalked around my stomach, I opened the fridge, as if I didn’t know that it would be empty. I guess I haven’t gone grocery shopping for a while.

I glanced at the watch. It was 8 pm, so the market would still be open. Slipping on my jacket and trainers, I grabbed my phone and walked out of the apartment, locking it behind me. The hallway was always dark, no lights, not being able to see anything. But I am used to it, I have lived here for 3 years already. So, not bothering to turn on my flashlight, I walked towards the stars that should be by the end of the hallway.

My heart quickened. I felt someone’s presence behind me, it was disturbing, scary. Slowing down, I wanted to turn around to make sure I was just imagining things, but I didn’t. What if it wasn’t just my imagination? What if someone or something was there? My hands shuffled to quickly turn on the flashlight, but someone’s hand flew over my mouth, pressing a cold object under my chin. My heart jumped, then it sank in my stomach.

“Empty your pockets and give me everything you’ve got.”

I was hoping it was him. But I was too busy worrying about my life to be disappointed over something like this. This person can easily cut my throat after I give him what he needs. I know that he will. A whimper-like sound left my lips as my dry eyes started to sting.

I don’t want to die. Please.

Suddenly, my soon-to-be murderer jerked and his hand was removed, along with the sharp object, and I fell on the ground shocked. I scrambled my hands around the floor, trying to find my phone, but soon the muffling stopped, and I heard something or someone drop on the floor. Was it the murderer or someone who tried to help?

Quickly moving to my feet I dashed towards the stars, but before I could reach them, a hand was pressed on my mouth once again. But it was a different one, because I could feel the leather on my skin. He was wearing gloves. I tried to scream.

“Quiet Malysh, I'm not going to hurt you.” I froze. His voice was so manly. And the scent of the leather, and he had a Russian accent slipping. I knew russian.

My hand flew over his, trying to remove it, but his grip tightened.

“I must be sure, that once I remove it, you will be quiet.”

I quickly nodded, gripping my phone tightly.

He slowly released me and I breathed through my mouth.