Debt and Ownership

“Cover for me okay?”

Deana took one look at Jake and knew that whatever was about to happen wouldn’t be pleasant. “Who is it this time?”

“Don’t have time to explain now, just if anyone asks I’m not here.”

Deana watched as Jake moved behind the curtain that led to the back inventory behind the front desk. She couldn’t count on her fingers the number of times that she’d had to cover for him when avoiding his crazy sister or mother, but barring them from sight, she couldn’t understand who he was avoiding this time.

He strolled in and by god, her mouth hit the floor and was pooling for drool when he approached.

“Is Jake working today?” The blonde man in the expensive looking suit gave her a sensuous smile as he leaned against the glass counter.

“I’m afraid he’s not in. Can I tell him who stopped by?”

“Just tell him Mason wants to see him alright?”

“So that would make you Mason then.” Deana smiled and leaned against the counter her perky c cups leaning against the edge of the glass as she flirted shamelessly.

”No that would make me the messenger.” He flashed another smile and stood up.

“No problem, want to leave a number?”

“No he’ll know how to get in touch.” The guy just winked and strolled out.

Deana strolled into the back room and rolled her eyes and she watched Jake take the last drag off of his Marlboro and flicked it onto the asphalt in the alley beyond the back door. .

“I wouldn’t mind covering for you if that hottie showed up again.”

“Stay away from him Dee, he’s trouble.”

“Oh really and what trouble could I possibly get into.”

“No joking Dee, stay away from him.”

“okay, okay. What’s got you wound up?”

“Nothing. just the usual.”

“Yeah, well that usually means that you’ve fucked up royally.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Jake headed out to the front desk. He didn’t really fit in at the punk rock clothing outlet known as Ragged Clothing, but he’d be damned if he’s look a good thing in the mouth. Employees had lax dress codes, were free to and encouraged to have as many piercings and tattoos as possible and there was always kickass music playing overhead. Sure it was a job, but he liked the people that he worked with. The rest of the day was boring. As the clock neared the fated eleven, he began to close up, pulling down the metal gates in the window displays and in front of the front door. He counted up the last of the register and put it in the safe in the back room. The store manager was just strolling into the back entrance, of course he smelled like weed.

“Yo Jake, how’s it hangin’?”

“Not back Matt. Not bad. Have fun.”

“Oh you know it, just the same old boring shit.”

“Night Dude.”

“NIGHT.”

Jake pulled up his hoodie and started to walk the four blocks to the crowded apartment building that he rented in. No one would take a second look at him while he walked down the street. At least that’s what he thought until he nearly walked onto the pavement but saw Obi, one of Mason’s enforcers waiting for him. He headed the other direction and took the back way home, praying that there would be no more problems that evening. He made it all the way to his apartment building and up the back steps before he was shoved into the wall by a large man. He swung a punch, and the enforcer just moved back in time to avoid it and swung a combo of his own right into his stomach.
Jake was left without his breath. Fuck. He was out gunned by a man twice his size. Jake may have been 5’10” but he was lean with not a lot of muscle and no fat to speak of, he was maybe 140lbs. tops so the two hundred pound six foot enforcer easily kicked his ass.

Another two punches landed, one in his stomach and another in his right kidney.

Jake doubled over as his knees buckled under the pain. He was expecting to be kicked but the goon just yanked him to his feet and started dragging him back down the steps. He could barely keep up. The night seemed darker now as he was pulled onto the sidewalk directly in front of Obi, who looked none too happy. Another enforcer came out the door after them. Obi just smiled.

“You’re lucky the boss said he wanted you in one piece or we’d play with you for the effort.”
Jake just spat.

“Okay Leon one hit over the back of the head should do it.”
Jake didn’t get a chance to reply before he felt the thud of something against his skull and the world went dark before his eyes.

. . .

The room was unbearably bright. Jake didn’t remember how he got home that night. He just remembered leaving the store. He groaned as the back of his head pulsed in pain. Realization came quick and his eyes snapped open. He was sitting in an overstuffed chair and was prepared to bolt when a hand pushed him back in his chair.

“Fuck.”

“Obi tells me you put up a fight and they had to knock you out. Unfortunate.” He watched as Mason strolled to the oversized chair on the opposite side of the coffee table and sat down.

“Yeah me against the gorilla squad… I was really kicking their asses too.”

Mason just chuckled.

Jake felt the body behind his chair tense. “What do you want with me Mason. I’ve never owed you anything.”

“Your right, but that’s not true of your daddy dearest is it?”

“I don’t care what he owes you it has nothing to do with me.”

“Oh I thought you might think otherwise. Especially when that kid sister of yours comes into play.”

“Leave Alice out of this shit. While you’re at it next time drag Nick in here and leave me the fuck out of it too.”

“I don’t think I can any longer.”

“Bullshit. You do whatever you want and you know it.”

“I don’t deny that but your father didn’t seem to think that there are repercussions to not repaying my loans.”

“Then take that up with him.”

“I would but he’s dead.”

“So the old fuck did us all a favor. What am I doing here?”

“I’m taking it up with you. Or would you prefer I take it up with you mother and sister?”

“What do you want?”

“I want my money.”

“You know I don’t’ have anything. You know my mom and sis got nothing, so try another answer.”

“You have a smart mouth you know that?”

“Just lucky I guess.”

“Since I can’t work it out of your dad’s flesh, I’m inclined to pass his debt on to his next of kin.”

“Isn’t that ever so feudalistic of you?”

“Open a smart mouth to me again and I’ll be inclined to shut it.”

Jake sat silent knowing very well he was in deep shit.

“Your father owed me three hundred thousand dollars when he died. I know you make meager pennies and what you do make you keep sending to your mother and sister to pay for what they need. You’re pretty smart. My information tells me you actually were going to go to business school before you dropped out of college and started helping your dad pay off his debt.”

“Like I said just lucky I guess.”

“Well your luck just ran out. I’m in need of some help and I’m inclined to believe loyalty to me might be in your best favor, especially if it means keeping your family out of this.”

“Like I said, what do you want?”

“Ten years of service. I set you up as one of my men and you pay off your father’s debt. At the end of those ten years we part ways. Your family is released of all debt. We never see each other again.”

“That’s a long time. The best years of my life even.”

“Well it was a lot of money.”

“Make it five years and I’m all yours.”

“Nine and I don’t kick your ass for making the assumption this is up for negotiation.”

“Eight because you know you’re going to have the crap kicked out of me anyway.”

“Agreed.” Mason just smiled. It was chilling to watch him grin. It’s true he was handsome but the fact that he was dangerous seemed to overshadow that.

“Boys you can go.”

None of them argued. The men just filtered out of the room. Jake stood up to go.

“Not you.”

Jake paused for a moment. He wasn’t sure exactly what was going on.

“You already have eight years of my life. What do you want now.”

With no further warning Mason stood up and before Jake had time to think he was looking up at him from the floor. His head was screaming in pain.

“Don’t disrespect me again. I own your ass for eight years. You will do what I say when I say and you won’t question a single action. Got it?” Mason hadn’t even raised his voice or changed his tone. He could just as easily been asking for a cup of tea the way he said it.
Jake nodded while his heart beating incredibly fast and heavily.

“Answer me.”

“Yes.”

“You will always refer to me as Sir. Understood.”

“Yes…” Jake looked away from him “sir.” The last word was barely whispered. His pride was hurt and his head was throbbing.

“Get up.”

“Yessir.” It became one mumbled word as he got to his feet and cast his eyes down.
Mason sat down on the overstuffed leather couch.

“Come here.”

Jake crossed the space until He stood in front of Mason. His eyes were still firmly planted on his feet.

“On your knees.”

Jake didn’t move.

“I won’t tell you again.”

Jake lowered to his knees. An angry blush crossed his face. It was embarrassing to kneel at someone’s feet.

“For the next few days you’re going to be acting as my assistant. At least until I can find the right job for you. That means you are going to go places with me. Everywhere I go and everyone I talk to are secrets: ones that will be kept with your life. Every job you do is completely confidential. I hear you mention a single detail to anyone, even within the ranks of my men and I will kill you. I won’t hesitate. You’ll just be dead.”
Jake said nothing.

“I’m cruel. I won’t tell you otherwise. You will wear what I tell you, you will eat what I tell you, you will do what I tell you and you will not question a single thing. Even open your mouth to question me and you’ll regret it.”
Mason pulled a pack of cigarettes from his jacket and lit one.

“Understood.”

“Yessir.” Jake kept his eyes on the ground. There was nowhere to go. There was nowhere to hide. Eight years of his life were gone in an instant and the shock of it all was astounding, simply astounding.

“Follow me.”

Jake stood up and followed him through the lush apartment. The living room was amazingly large with huge glass windows that opened up to the balcony and the city lights all around. He followed Mason out of the living room and down a hallway. Mason stopped at the last door.

“Sit here.”

Jake sat at the spot Mason pointed too, fighting the bile that was building in his throat. This treatment was disgusting.

“This is my room. You are never to enter without my permission and express orders to do so. You will sleep here, at my door. Don’t move an inch. If I don’t find you here when I wake up there will be consequences.” Mason didn’t say another word. He just entered his room and shut the door.

The hallway was dark. The walls were a sage green that appeared darker in the night and the trim and doors were white. He looked at the four doors in the hall and leaned his throbbing head against the door frame. It hurt to place the weight of his head at the back of his skull. Leon had hit him pretty damn hard. He was tired, hungry, and drained. Sleep didn’t take long to come.

. . .

He woke up to find light streaming in halfway up the hall. The brilliance of it was blinding almost. His back was sore from leaning against the wall all night and his neck ached from being craned and unsupported through the night. He didn’t hear a sound from the bedroom. He just sat. His watch said it was seven in the morning. Great, he wasn’t going to get to work on time. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the office. It rang through to the machine.

“This is Ragged Clothing our hours are from 9am -11pm Sunday through Thursday and 10am to midnight Friday and Saturday. We’re closed now so please give us a call back during business hours. Employees dial your code now.”

Jake dialed the last four digits of his social and waited for the beep.

“Hey this is Jake. I know this is wicked short notice but I have to split. If you can just send my paycheck to my apartment, that would be great. Thanks a lot Matt. Sorry for the inconvenience.”
Jake slammed his head against the wall. This was just plain fucked up. He liked his job. He liked his life. He didn’t have a lot of money. He barely ever had enough, but he had his friends and his apartment and it kept him on his feet. He pounded his head against the wall. And immediately swore as pain radiated through his head. He’d forgotten about the lump that Leon had given him the previous night. He forced his eyes shut and tried to convince himself that a few hours of sleep would help him feel better. He better than that. Things like this only get worse with time.
Mason strolled out of his bedroom and was pleased to find a ragged looking Enders at the door. He smiled to himself.

“Get up.”

Jake winced as sore muscles screamed in protest.

“follow.”

Jake followed behind Mason through the living room and into the dining room. There were two doors on the opposite wall. Jake assumed that one led to a kitchen.

“Sit.”

'Woof woof' Jake thought as he sat at the end of the table and starred as Mason sat at the other end.

“I wake at seven every morning. I expect you to be awake at six and ready by seven to assist me with the morning schedule. I am always prepared for the day by eight.” There was a sharp knock on the door on the right on the wall behind him.

“Come in.”

A slight looking man entered the room carrying a tray. The tray was set in front of Mason and the tray cover revealed two croissants and some coffee as well as the daily newspaper and a bowl of freshly prepared fruit.

Jake’s stomach growled at the site. He hadn’t eaten sine yesterday morning and it was beginning to wear at him. His throat was dry as he watched Mason drink his coffee. Despite his obvious hunger

Mason made no move to allow him to eat.

Mason finished breakfast leisurely leaving behind half a croissant that tormented Jake. He commanded that Jake follow him and they went down own floor to a large apartment. When they entered he found it was a gym. Expensive machinery was spread out in front of the great glass wall that made up the window overlooking the city. A sparring circle in the center of the room made Jake uncomfortable. Obi, Leon, and the third enforcer that had been there the night of his abduction were sitting in the chairs up against the far left wall of the gym and talking between themselves. They weren’t in their usual suits, instead they each dawned a pair of sweatpants and a wife beater. The room seemed to go silent as Mason walked further into the room.

The three enforcers stood up and Mason approached.

“Give him the gauntlet, boys. I want to see how much he can take.”

The three goons smiled and surrounded Jake. He immediately felt uneasy.

“The gauntlet starts with a warm up.” Obi smiled and Jake grimaced at the thought. “There’s a change of clothes in the locker room. To the right.” Obi pointed toward the door on the far right wall.
Jake headed toward the locker room. There was only one row of lockers and a single long bench. On the end of the bench was a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt from his apartment. There was a new pair of sneakers below the cloths. It didn’t take him long to figure out it was going to be a long day.

. . .

The first two hours of the gauntlet had been easy. It was an half an hour of jogging and half an hour running. His legs had wanted to give out but he couldn’t because he knew that there would be consequences. There was weightlifting, pushups, pull-ups, and bench presses. It was grueling. Jake hadn’t eaten anything for over 24 hours now and his body was at the brink of exhaustion, he felt lightheaded. They gave him no water, no breaks. The last phase was sparring. Lucky him, he’d been paired with Obi.

Obi loomed four inches taller than he was and probably a good fifty to sixty pounds heavier, most of it muscle. Jake had managed to take the first two hits well, but he was slowing down and quick. His vision seemed to move in slow motion.

Obi went for a hard right to the face this time.

Jake ducked and used all of his weight to kick at the other mans ankles.

Off balance from the missed punch, Obi went down.

Jake heard Obi swear as he got to his feet. That last one had been lucky. He wouldn’t be that lucky again. He was panting heavily, the edges of his vision were going white, the world seemed to lose color for a moment, brightening. As if he was staring into a sudden light.
Obi missed with a left but Jake was too slow to avoid a right to the ribs and a left to the ribs and then an uppercut to the stomach.

The world went white and he surrendered to it…

. . .

Mason stood up and moved to the sparring ring. He looked down at the unconscious boy in front of him. He’d taken one hell of a beating and he hadn’t even begged for mercy.

“Bring him upstairs and put him on the couch.”

Mason stepped out of the gym and headed back up the stairwell to the apartment. It’d been an interesting morning. He felt a slight pang of guilt when he saw the boy go down. Sure he was overpowered but Mason thought it was he himself that had handicapped the boy given his treatment. All dogs needed to learn their places. Jake soon would.

. . .

Jake woke up to an ice cold sensation on his head. He sat up to quickly and the room span. He managed to stifle a groan.

“I take it you know your place now Enders?”

Jake stiffened at that voice.

“Have you forgotten your place already?”

“No, sir.”

“Good.” Jake watched through heavy lids as Mason reclined across from him. “You’ve been out for four hours now. I expect this to be the last time.”

Jake angered at those words. Had he been shown a single moment of consideration, a glass of water, a meal, or a five minute break to rest he would have been fine. He couldn’t voice those things. “Yes, sir.”

“My tailor will arrive in an hour to fit you with an acceptable wardrobe. After that you are free for the day. Do as you will within the walls of this apartment and the gym downstairs. I suggest you use the time to your advantage because beginning tomorrow you will run the gauntlet every day until I see fit.” Mason stood up and left without another word. Jake sunk back into the couch.

The weeks that followed were hard, unbearable even but time moves on and all things change.

. . .


[a/n]: hey folks, thanks a lot for reading, please R&R.