#4

Chapter 4: An Unexpected Encounter

Elon's heart pounded in his chest as he approached the run-down office where the job was being offered.

The location matched the grittiness of the Glades, an area known for its rough and tough reputation.

The dimly lit surroundings gave the place an air of secrecy and danger, further intensifying Elon's nerves.

As he stepped inside, he found himself among ten other men, all waiting in a line that snaked through the office.

The men appeared weathered, their clothes worn and hands calloused, evidence of the hard lives they had led.

Elon joined the line, trying to blend in and keep a low profile, but fate had other plans.

His heart sank when he noticed one man among the group, the same man who had been part of the group that had robbed him just last night.

Uneasiness surged through Elon, and he instinctively tried to hide his face, but it was too late.

The man locked eyes with him and shot him a warning glare that sent shivers down Elon's spine.

This man had a rugged appearance, with a scruffy beard and a scar across one cheek, making him even more intimidating.

His eyes were sharp and piercing, hinting at a life of dangerous choices. Elon knew he had to tread carefully; he was in unfamiliar territory, surrounded by potential threats.

Just as Elon contemplated leaving, an old man with grey hair and a walking stick emerged from a back room.

He wore a tattered jacket and an air of authority that commanded respect. The old man greeted everyone warmly and explained that he would be the one overseeing the job.

He went on to describe the nature of the work - loading boxes of fragile goods onto a ship bound for China.

The urgency of the task was apparent, and he emphasized that those who were ready could start immediately.

Elon steeled himself, realizing he needed the money, at least for the time being, to survive in this new world.

The man who had stolen from Elon earlier raised his hand, a hint of rudeness evident in his manner. "What's the pay? It better be good. That's all I need to know," he demanded.

The old man looked at him with an unwavering gaze and calmly replied, "It's $15 per hour."

The murmur among the other workers indicated that this was a considerable sum, especially for jobs in the Glades, where $5 per hour was more common.

Elon nodded, understanding that the pay could sustain him for a while, even if the work proved challenging.

He knew he wasn't physically fit for such labor, but his determination to survive outweighed any doubts he had.

As the old man led them to a waiting bus, the driver greeted him with familiarity. "Hey, Matthew, how's it going?" the driver asked.

"All good, Stanley." Matthew replied with a smile. "These will be the only ones available for now."

The driver, apparently named Stanley, expressed his hope that the new workers would be more capable than the previous ones. "The last ones couldn't keep up," he remarked.

Elon exchanged a nervous glance with the man who had robbed him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the man was already planning something.

"He's probably thinking of robbing me again after this, damnit!" Elon thought, his anxiety rising.

An hour later, the bus arrived at the bustling harbor, where a massive ship was docked.

Men scurried back and forth, loading boxes onto the vessel. Elon's eyes widened at the sight of the organized chaos, realizing the scale of the task that awaited them.

"It seems Hauser's people already got to work," the driver commented.

"That's good," Matthew replied. "He always delivers on time."

Stepping off the bus, Elon felt a bit determination. He wasn't going let his hard earned money be taking away from him, as he thought of the look that the robber gave him earlier.

'I mean what kind of ugly smile is that?'

He was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, even if it meant confronting the man who had once targeted him.

Led to a warehouse at the side, they were introduced to the supervisor, who quickly assigned tasks to each worker.

Elon's heart pounded as he hoped he wouldn't be paired with his past assailant.

As he prepared to dive into the grueling labor, Elon knew that this was just the beginning of his journey in this new world.

Every moment, every interaction, and every decision would shape the path he now walked.

============End of Chapter============

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