HIS GAMES

The store was quiet, except for the occasional chatter of customers and the rustling of fabric and plastic bags.

But in my mind, there was nothing but noise.

My fingers hovered over the register, my breathing slow and uneven.

I hadn’t slept for several nights.

Not really.

I hadn't been myself since that phone call.

I had spent hours staring at my ceiling, my heart pounding in my chest, waiting, expecting something to happen.

But nothing did.

And somehow, that was worse.

Now, the lack of sleep, the fear clawing at my chest, and the constant weight of paranoia pressed down on me like a burden that I couldn't seem to shake off.

The anxiety pills I had ordered online weren’t helping either.

I was a complete mess.

“Kelsey?”

The sound of my name snapped me out of my thoughts.

I blinked, turning towards the voice.

A customer stood in front of me, holding up a bright blue dress. “Do you have this in a larger size?”

I exhaled sharply, my mind struggling to catch up.

“I....I’m so sorry.” I shook my head quickly.

“I’ll check the back.”

I hurried away before she could respond, my hands shaking as I scurried to the storage room like a frightened mouse.

We had just gotten a new shipment of dresses and blouses and it didn't take me long to find the dress the lady was holding up.

I found the colour she wanted, rushed back, and handed it over with a tight smile.

The woman gave me a strange look but muttered a polite “thank you” before heading to the dressing room.

I barely had a moment to collect myself before my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I glanced at the screen.

My father’s phone number flashed across the screen.

My stomach clenched.

Not now. I had been avoiding him for months. I had changed my phone number. How the hell did he find me?

I moved to the back of the store, pushing open the storage room door before answering.

“Hi, dad,” I whispered sharply.

“Nice to hear from you too, sweetheart.” His voice was laced with sarcasm.

“They’re back,” he said. “The men Marcus owed.”

He hesitated for a few seconds before continuing,

"And a few that I owe, you know you've not sent money home in months."

My breath caught in my throat “What?”

“They took my damn truck, Kelsey. And they want more.”

Panic surged through my veins.

“How much?”

“Five hundred thousand,” he said. “I told them you’d handle it.”

I gritted my teeth. “I don’t have that kind of money, Dad.”

“Well, then you better figure it out, sweetheart. Because if you don’t, I might just have to tell them where you are.”

My body went cold.

He wouldn’t. Would he?

I clenched my jaw. “I’ll send more money soon.”

He exhaled heavily, like he was bored with the conversation, and then hung up before I could say anything else.

I closed my eyes, my hands trembling.

How ungrateful could they possibly be?

Marcus was gone. I could no longer afford their lavish lifestyle.

I was already paying all of Marcus's debts, why were they adding more?

I took a deep breath, tucked my phone into my back pocket and headed out of the storage room.

I entered the display floor and I almost bumped into someone.

He turned and I quickly recognised him.

“Mr. Alphonso,” I breathed, forcing a polite smile.

He looked up from the display case, his sharp eyes sweeping over me with mild recognition.

But before I could say another word he ignored me and walked away.

He walked to a tall blonde woman who was quietly admiring jewelry. She laughed softly and wrapped her arm around his as she pointed to some fancy necklaces.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to remain professional as he dropped thousands on her without hesitation.

Some women were just too damn lucky.

They left a few minutes later with many bags and boxes I was forced to help them to carry to their vehicle.

Once everything was loaded into the trunk of Mr. Alphonso’s car, the blonde woman flung an old 5 dollar bill at me and walked off.

I stood there fixed to the spot and seething with anger as they drove off.

My phone buzzed again.

I grabbed it, expecting to see my father’s number again.

But it wasn’t him.

It was the bane of my existence, my stalker.

I froze.

Hesitantly, I answered.

“Why were you talking to him again?”

My breath caught in my throat.

My grip tightened around the phone.

“I don’t owe you an explanation," I snapped at him before ending the call..

~~

I closed the store late that night, my entire body tense and worn out.

As usual, I took longer routes, stopped at stores and avoided dark empty roads until I arrived at my destination.

I locked my doors. Bolted my windows. Did my routine safety checks.

Then I crawled into bed, curling beneath the blankets, forcing myself to sleep.

~

My phone buzzed loudly, waking me up from sleep.

I groaned, reaching for my phone.

It was an unknown number but I knew who it was.

I answered, already irritated.

“Your disrespect deserves punishment, don't you think so, Kelsey?”

I scoffed. “Are you serious?”

I angrily turned my phone off and threw it onto the nightstand.

Before I could settle back into my bed, the lights went out.

My breath hitched.

What the hell was going on?

I wasn't behind on bills. This had to be one of his stupid games.

I grabbed my phone and switched on the flashlight.

The call came again.

I hesitated, then answered.

The moment I did, the lights turned back on.

“You think this is funny?” I snapped.

He didn’t answer.

“Man up and report me to the cops or leave me the hell alone,” I yelled.

“No.”

I shot out of bed.

"You better run for your life,” I warned, as I tiptoed towards the kitchen and grabbed a knife from the counter.

“One of us is going to die tonight, and I promise you, it won’t be me.”

He chuckled dryly, followed by a loud sigh.

I clenched my jaw. “Show yourself, bloody coward."

“Come find me," he murmured but for some reason, I could hear him loud and clear.

I paused in my tracks, a chill running down my spine.

He was somewhere downstairs. He was closeby.

I could hear my voice echoing but I just couldn't guess where it was coming from.

My eyes widened and my grip on the knife tightened.

The only way I would be able to find this coward was if I kept talking.

I began yelling at him again, this time louder to make it easier to trace the sound.

I followed my echoing voice step by step until I was in front of the locked doors of one of the newly renovated rooms.

My fingers tightened around the knife.

I grabbed the handle and twisted it open.

The door creaked open and I walked inside.

I turned on the lights and the sight before me made me freeze.

"What the fuck-"