The Ringing Phone (First Draft)

The Ringing Phone (First Draft)

The ringing phone filled me with dread. I was expecting the call, I knew it was coming. But I didn’t want to answer it. I let it go for three rings and picked it up, bringing it to my ear slowly.

“He-hello” I say my voice quivering, knowing what was coming next.

“He-hello to you to Mr. Jackson. I was expecting your call this morning, but it never came. So I took initiative and decided to call you myself. So how’s it going?” He says his voice calm and confident, but he is not a calm man.

“I'm, um I'm fine.” Again, nervous and my voice trembling.

“Well we all know why I’m calling you on this fine day.” I can feel his wicked smile, bearing down on me, making me feel small and hopeless. “Where is my money?” He asked, his voice suddenly going cold, hurtful to listen to.

“I-I, uh, I only need a few more days, I can get it to you by Monday” I said, knowing he wont like this, I’m already a week late with my payments and this call I know deep down is the last chance I’ve got.

“No, no, no. Let me stop you there. See, that is exactly what you said last time, but is my money here? No. So do you have it or not. Because if you don’t then there will be trouble.” He said, I could feel the bitter cold flowing through my veins as he said those last words.

“I’m sorry, but the guy is was selling too didn’t give me the money yet and I cant pay you if I don’t have it.” I try to find other excuses but my mind is muddled and I cant form coherent thoughts.

“That’s not an excuse Jack, You were meant to have it last week and I still don’t have it. I’ll be over soon, stay there” and with that the phone went dead. The whole time I wondered why he was making so much conversation with my, and only then did I realize why. He was wasting my time, as he sent his people over to get me. I didn’t have much more time.

I stand there stunned, unable to move, from past experience and stories I have heard from other people that if he wants to see you himself, then you are most likely not going to survive. I had to run, but where. He will be here soon. “Think, think, think.” I say to myself, scared for my life. I have to leave, so I quickly pack a bag, rushing, throwing whatever I think I need in without a second thought. I pack my wallet, passport and a bit of cash I had hid in the safe. I think about taking my phone, but then I think of how easily an American Drug lord could track me using it and his extensive resources. I zip up my bag just as I hear a car pull into the driveway. My heart starts beating faster and my mind more clouded. I hear the leader. “You two, go round the back, make sure he doesn’t get out”

Oh god, what do I do. I run up stairs, delaying my inevitable catch. I pull down the stairs and climb up then into the roof, trying to make as little noise as I can. I hear the front door open.

“Jack, I know you’re here” I hear him say from below. I pull the stairs up, and walk deeper into the attic, unable to see much as I walk closer to the back wall, boxes are piled high all around me, leaning at precarious angles. I go to the corner and move some of the boxes out of the way, hoping the rest don’t fall on me. I find a box that I will just manage to fit in and quickly place myself in it, as I hear them trashing my possessions, two floors down.

Four hours go by and they still haven’t come up here. I listened to them frantically pulling the beds and couches apart numerous times, obviously stressed. I smile to my self, maybe I’ll get out of this, the whole time promising myself that ill change if I get out. I’ve counted six men, including the boss, searching my house, naming each one, as I hear their voices. Squeaky, has a high-pitched voice, one of them grumbles a lot, and of them thinks this is a game, obviously having fun, and so on. Countless times each one of them curses my name, over and over, when they cant find me.

I started of as a small time user, maybe once a week, if not less. It was just a fun way to pass the time on my lonely weekends. The man I was buying it from was a good friend and I always bought from him. My money was generally from my job at the fast food place across from where I lived, it was enough to buy what I needed. But when I got fired from that job, that’s when thing all started to go downhill. I got another job at another fast food restaurant, it was further away and the price wasn’t as good. I wasn’t making enough money to fix my weekly needs and live comfortably in my apartment with my roommates. I turned to my mate who I bought from and he said he could put in a good word. It was enough. They said I could start with small amounts, selling to kids at the local school. My addiction was fixed and I was making a little extra as well. All was great. My routine consisted of getting up, working from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon, then after that, going down to the park and dealing drugs. I loved this. Soon they promoted me and I could start carrying more, and have more money. But then it all went downhill. I started stealing from what they gave me, at first no one knew, but then they got suspicious of me, started asking me questions. They figured out where it was going. My addiction had gotten out of hand and my need for it was greater then my need for my safety. I never did understand how serious the gang the drugs were from, but I did when they started threatening my life. I owed them money, and now they have come for it.

My mind starts to drift after hours of being here. I used to be such a good kid. I laugh silently, amazed at how only a few months before I was only a small time user, working at a fast food joint, living comfortably, and now I’m being hunted in my own house and if I'm caught, I will die a horrible death. How did I get here? I used to live with my mum and dad, went to a private school and was brought up well. I was never popular, I spent my weekends playing video games with people I had never met. I was unknown by anybody. It was only when my roommate brought some weed back one night and got me to try it. It was amazing, I loved it. It became a habit, I would do it almost every week, I didn’t see it as an addiction, it was just fun. I never saw it as wrong; it was just a hobby my roommate and I had. That was what seemed to be the spark that caused this fire that made me what I am now. I promise myself, if I ever get out of this mess, I will never get myself involved with this ever again.

“Did anyone check the attic?” I hear the boss say. Silence as none of them speak. “For gods sake, you lot are a bunch of idiots, hurry up, you and you go up and check”

This isn’t good for me, there are pulling the stairs down and I sink lower into the box, hoping they wont bother to come this far into the attic.

“You get the left side, I’ll get the right” I hear squeaky say to someone who has not talked yet”. Six hours earlier I remember getting into the right side, he will be coming for me soon. I hear each of them knocking over boxes, and moving stuff out of the way. Oh god, what do I do. I sit their, not breathing as he comes closer to the box I’m in. He moves the box in front of me out of the way and I can hear his heavy breathing as he lifts it out of the way. Nothing happens for a moment I feel the man kick the box, and with that they both go downstairs. Again I think to myself, I might just live.

It must be getting late because they all want to sleep now, It must be around 16 hours I’ve been in this box, and they are starting to take turns on watch out. Happy went first, then Grumpy, and now Shorty is going. Shorty was the guy that came up to the attic and I heard someone calling him this when he came down from the attic. I guess ill have to wait it out.

23 hours go by and I can hear the frustration in their voices. My legs have gone numb, my stomach is rumbling and my mouth is dry, I feel like hell. I really wish I never got into this situation. But who am I kidding, from the time I was 12 I’ve always pushed it. Never wanted to work for anything, just wanted it on a plate. I’m starting to realize there is no such thing as a free lunch.

“For gods sake, I give up!” I hear form down below, it sounded like the boss “Check the airports and trains out of the country in the last 24 hours, he must of left so long ago, what a waste of time”.

I smile to myself, ecstatic that I managed to stay hidden this long. They pack up all their equipment and open the front door, walking out and leaving in their cars. I get out of the box but immediately fall down, my legs are completely dead, I stretch them out and wait 20 minutes for the feeling to come back into them. Pushing the stairs down I sigh a breath of relief and listen, making sure no one has stayed. I grab my passport and leave out the back door, climbing the neighbor’s fence, promising myself that I will never get into this situation again.