THE COST OF DEATH
Who's the prey?
Hello everyone! I just wanted to share a quick note before you dive into my story. English is not my first language, so you might notice some grammatical errors or phrasing that isn’t quite perfect. I’m still learning and improving, and I hope it won’t take away from your experience of the story. Thank you for your understanding and for giving my work a chance!
[Daniel jolted awake from a nightmare. His eyes seemed even darker in the dimly lit room. He got on his feet. His ears were still ringing with the shrill shout of a woman. Yes a woman... Whom he knew but not her name]
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Mom, I can hear you...
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
[His eyes darted to the message that popped up in his phone]
[Smirks]
The prey is out in the open. How foolish!
[Daniel pulled a crisp, freshly ironed coat and slung it over his shoulders as he walked out]
Vincent (Daniel's father)
You're out late?
[walking to the car that Daniel got into]
You look like a predator stalking its prey.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
This time. The prey can't run.
[His sharp, fox-like eyes flickered toward his father]
I weaken my prey as it runs for its life. And then...
[He brought the engine to life and drove away]
Intro to the introduced characters so far:
Daniel: called the cold-hearted Monster, but he's still human.
Vincent: The old ruler of the underworld now enjoys his old age, leaving his burdens to his sons.
The prey
[Daniel blocked the roads in a particular location to trap Arthur]
Arthur
[gets down from his car] Daniel. Please... This is not the time to continue that hatred.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
I don't see a perfect time rather than this, Arthur. Quick. Make a deal. I just want your money. Sell me your 75% profit. And I'll not just let you survive, but in fact, give you enough men to protect you. I don't give offers twice but you seem to receive it
Arthur
Please... Furthermore, I don't have enough money and Not only that, but I worked hard establishing my first company. I can't give it away. I don't need your help just let me go.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
TSK... [he looked at his men] why is he so stubborn? Get him crippled to make him sign the papers.
Arthur
Daniel! You aren't the only one in the power!!
[Few cars surround the location around Daniel and Arthur]
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Not bad Arthur. Never expected prey to be ready, but... I am not giving up. Money is everything the world asks for, and I ask for the world. Therefore...
[Arthur gets into his car and brings the engine to life. He turns up the gear and drives at Daniel forcing him to jump aside.]
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Damn!! Such disrespect! I want him to realize it doesn't just cost his money but his life!!
[The fight broke out between them. Daniel's loyal men rushed forward to secure what Daniel desired. Arthur's men tried desperately to protect him.
Daniel rode through the pile of bodies without hesitation. He didn’t look to see if they were his men or not—his focus was locked on chasing Arthur]
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
My prey...
Once a friend
[Arthur and Daniel were once friends, having met in their college days. When everyone else refused to sit beside Daniel, Arthur was the one who took the seat next to him. Unaware of Daniel's true identity, Arthur spoke to him casually, extending his friendship. He even shared his dreams—dreams that Daniel cared little about.]
Arthur
I just want a beautiful wife and a lovely child. I want to give them everything they could ever need. I’m tired of that lonely, empty house—I want someone waiting for me, someone who looks forward to my return.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
... [He brought the food from the counter and sat down at the table to eat]
Arthur
[Followed him] To achieve this, I need to work hard and earn money. I want to set up my own business, and I’ve got an idea I’m sure will work well. Would you want to join me? I trust you, and I can’t share my plans with anyone else. But… I’m afraid to invest. I don’t have enough money, and, to make things harder, my grandmother is very sick. Whatever I earn from my part-time job barely covers her medical expenses.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Why don't you just let her die?
Arthur
Excuse me? I don’t like anyone talking about her like that. She took care of me when my parents abandoned me. When they went their separate ways, the only hands that sheltered me were my grandmother’s. I won’t let her die!
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Didn't her doctor say that she can hardly survive 2 years?
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Aren’t you investing in something you can’t save? Instead, save that money and use it for your business. You’ve already spent almost all your savings on her. If you hadn’t paid your tuition fees in advance, you’d probably be a dropout by now.
Arthur
I can't let her die.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Why?
Arthur
She's a human. And... Not any human. She cherished me all her life even though i wasn't her complete responsibility. But... she's mine.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
[sighs]
Arthur
Would you let your dear ones die?
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
I don't have any. And I don't think their death would change anything.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Well, are you sure you'll let me join your business?
Arthur
As your friend, I'd love to. It gives me a sort of confidence.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Well, I love money. So, I'll provide you with all the resources you want.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
In return, I want a larger share of the profits, since I’ll be investing everything. I’ll provide you with manpower, funding, capital—anything you need.
Arthur
That would be a great help but... I want to invest too. I want to have equal profit. Because it's my work and... [he sighs] You know? It's my dream to start a business.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
I don't want to be a director of your company. I just want money. I'll fix the amount until I feel I've got my investment. Then, it's all yours.
Arthur
That’s... quite a tempting offer.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
I like to lure my prey into the hunt.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
I mean... Business is all about hunting for money. isn't it?
Arthur
Not exactly. Money is just one of the reasons. But it's someone's dream too.
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
[Smirking, he stood up and gave Arthur a reassuring pat on the shoulder—a rare gesture from Daniel. Perhaps Arthur was the first to receive it.]
I trust you. You’ll work hard.
[Arthur smiled at him, unaware that he was merely prey—a pawn to be drained dry for money. Daniel never felt any genuine friendship or any kind of emotion at all.]
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
Do tell me when you achieve your dreams. The things you talked about. Family, wife and child. I'd like to hear them.
**something so weak and insignificant** [he thought]
We’ll be wrapping up the story for today
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