by C.E. Wilson
Chapter Five
“I can’t take much more of this.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Roderick? You haven’t had to do anything lately,” Archer said as he mopped the old gym floors. “I’m the one doing all the damn work.”
“Yes, you’re doing all the work, but I’m paying for that work and I’m being shut out. I don’t even know how you’re spending my money,” Roderick said. “You said I could talk to Devony once Micah was out of the way, but later you told me not to bother. I’m sick of waiting around, Archer. I’ve been patient, very patient with you but I don’t see where this is all going.”
“Will you calm down? I told you to be patient and that’s what I meant. Does the word patience mean something else to you?”
“I’m starting to doubt that you’re trying to help me.”
“And?”
“I think you’re trying to help yourself.”
“What would I gain from helping you in the process?”
“Money, maybe. I don’t know,” Roderick said, watching him mop. “But I don’t trust you right now.”
“You have absolutely no reason not to trust me. Roderick, I’m doing this all for you.”
“And what have I got to show for it? I’ve been calling her house and her father still won’t let me talk to her. She’s always with you, or your girlfriend, or Micah, or Orion and I can’t get anywhere near her. You keep talking and talking and talking but nothing’s happening!”
“What do you want me to say? I told you this would take time,” Archer said, shrugging him off. “But if you don’t want to trust me, I guess I can understand that.”
“So I shouldn’t trust you?”
“Personally, I don’t trust anyone,” Archer said, scrubbing hard at a stain on the floor.
“Is that a fact?”
“Yes. That’s a fact.”
“Well then, maybe I’m going to start listening to your words after all,” he said reaching into his pocket as Archer’s back remained turned.
“Do what you want,” Archer sighed.
“Turn around and look at me,” he said as a soft click was heard.
“What is it now…” he trailed off, noticing that Roderick was holding a switchblade in his hand. “What are you doing with that?”
“I’m going to tell Devony how I feel about her,” Roderick said calmly. “If she says that she’s not interested then I’ll leave her alone.”
“So…what are you going to do with that?” Archer asked, eyeing up the switchblade.
“This is my warning to you,” Roderick said.
“Consider me warned,” he said, taking a hesitant step backwards. Realizing that he was alone in the gym, he dropped the mop and held up his hands. “You’ve made your point.”
“What’s wrong?” he taunted, jutting the blade towards him. “Nothing witty to say? None of your cockiness? What a shame.”
“I said you’ve made your damn point. I can see you’re being serious. Put that away. I understand you’re upset, but you have to understand I really have done everything I can to try and help you.”
“So then you must understand how I don’t see it that way.”
“Put that away before someone sees it. First suicide jokes and now you’re pulling a knife on me? Roderick, please.”
“I’m desperate,” he said. “I’m a very desperate man. If you give me back the money you’ve stolen, then I’ll leave you alone.” Archer kept his hands up as Roderick advanced, backing him into the nearest wall. He pressed the blade against his throat and Archer gasped heavily. “What do you have to say about that?”
“I can’t give you the money back.”
“Why not?”
“That money is engaged in my plan. You have to at least let me finish my work before I can even think of giving you a refund.”
“What’s the plan?” Roderick growled, pressing the blade against his skin. Archer’s sweat dripped onto the blade and wet his hand. “What are you going to do now?”
“Capetown quit being president earlier. After the tournament, he’s done.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“So that means that Micah will be president.”
“What does that have to do with me? All I’m hearing is that Orion will have more time to spend with Devony.”
“No…that’s not it. You know her father – he’ll never approve of her continuing to date Capetown if he’s nothing more than a bum. Plus, I heard that they had quite the blow-up in public earlier. No, this means that she’ll start paying attention to Micah again.”
“So what then? What happens to Micah?”
“We need to get rid of him.”
“Get rid of him? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Says the man with a knife at my throat. Instead of pointing that blade at me, you may want to focus on him before he has a chance to sink his claws into Devony.”
“So let me get this straight,” Roderick said, relaxing slightly. “You want me to hurt Micah so Devony doesn’t go after him?”
“Y-yes,” Archer said, heaving a shuddering sigh as he felt the sharp steel leave his neck. “I’ll help you.”
“You’re actually going to help? You’re going to do something?”
“This is the final step of the plan. He’s at his house with Bentley. I think if we surprise him, we can take him out.”
“Take him out? Are you implying what I think you are?”
“I thought you said you were desperate. Are you taking back your words?”
Roderick suddenly raised the blade to his neck again. “I am desperate. I’ve waited for too long for that girl. If you’re going to help me, then you’re going to be the one who does the dirty work.”
“If…if that’s what you want.”
“It is,” Roderick said, motioning towards the exit. “Let’s go, then. I won’t waste another moment.”
