Chapter 5 - The Lion's Den
The neon sign above the rundown billiards hall flickered aggressively in the rain.
Noah pulled his hood over his head and pushed through the heavy metal doors.
The room was filled with cigarette smoke and dangerous men playing cards.
A massive bouncer stepped in front of Noah, blocking his path.
"I need to speak with Victor Thorne," Noah said, trying to keep his voice steady.
The bouncer laughed and grabbed Noah by the collar of his jacket.
He dragged the teenager to a dark office in the back of the building.
Victor Thorne sat behind a massive oak desk, cleaning a silver revolver.
He looked up and smiled a terrifying, gold-toothed smile.
"Noah Bennett, you look exactly like your worthless father," Victor sneered.
"Leave my mother alone," Noah demanded bravely.
"I will leave her alone when she pays me half a million dollars," Victor replied calmly.
Noah stepped closer to the desk.
"I want to take on the debt," Noah stated.
Victor stopped cleaning his gun and raised an amused eyebrow.
"You are seventeen years old, kid," Victor mocked.
"I can work for you," Noah pleaded desperately.
Victor stared at the boy for a long, silent minute.
An evil idea suddenly formed in the criminal's mind.
"Ethan Caldwell is about to be your stepfather, isn't he?" Victor asked.
Noah hesitated before nodding slowly.
"Caldwell Logistics just developed a new military drone prototype," Victor explained.
Victor placed the loaded silver revolver gently on the desk.
"You are going to use Ethan's security clearance to steal that prototype for me," Victor ordered.
"I will never betray Ethan like that," Noah shouted angrily.
Victor simply smiled and pressed a button under his desk.
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The office door locked with a loud, metallic click.
"Then you can pay the debt with your life tonight," Victor whispered as he picked up the gun.
