Seven Days to Pay His Debt

Stephen's eyes blazed with fury, his voice dripping with venom. "So, you used my money to pay off other loansharks? You played me, John. You made a fool out of me."

John cowered, his eyes welling up with tears. "I didn't mean to, Stephen. I was desperate. I'll pay you back, I swear."

Stephen's laughter was cold and mirthless. "You'll pay me back? You'll pay me back? You're already in debt up to your neck, and you think you can just promise me payment and expect me to believe you?"

He grabbed John's collar, his grip like a vice. "Listen to me, John. You have one week to come up with the full amount. If I don't see it in my hands, in cash, within seven days...you're done. Finished. You'll be nothing but a memory."

John's eyes widened in terror, his voice barely audible. "P-please, Stephen. Have mercy."

Stephen's smile was cruel. "Mercy? You want mercy? You should have thought of that before you crossed me, John. Now, you're just a debt that needs to be collected."

Stephen's grip tightened, his eyes blazing with intensity. "You see, John, I have a reputation to uphold. I can't let people think they can borrow from me and then default. That would be bad for business. Very bad."

He paused, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "So, here's what's going to happen. You're going to get me my money, all of it, within the next seven days. Or...or else."

John's eyes were wide with fear, his body trembling. "O-or else what?" he stuttered.

Stephen's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a sinister light. "Or else I'll make an example out of you. I'll show everyone what happens when you cross me. You'll be a warning to all those who think they can default on a loan from me."

The air was thick with tension, the only sound John's ragged breathing. Stephen's men watched with cold, calculating eyes, their faces expressionless.

The scene was set for a brutal and merciless confrontation, one that would leave only one man standing.

Stephen's gaze bore into John's soul, his voice dripping with malice. "You have seven days, John. Seven days to come up with the full amount. If I don't see it in my hands, in cash, within that time...you know what will happen."

John nodded frantically, his eyes wide with fear. "I understand, Stephen. I'll get it, I swear."

Stephen's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a sinister light. "I know you will, John. Because if you don't...well, let's just say my men will be back to collect more than just money."

With a nod, Stephen's men turned to leave, their eyes cold and calculating. One of them lingered, his gaze fixed on John. "We'll be watching you, John. Don't even think about trying to run."

The men departed, leaving John shaken and terrified. The clock was ticking, and John knew he had to act fast. He had seven days to come up with the money, or face the consequences.John's mind raced as he watched the leave. He knew he had to act fast, but where could he get that kind of money? He thought about selling his bookstore, but it wouldn't fetch enough to cover the debt. He also thought about borrowing from another loan shark, but that would only make things worse.

As he knelt there, feeling helpless and desperate, the door was open by Kyra, a regular customer of John's Favorite Read bookstore, this time, she had rushed to pick a copy of te latest release from her beloved author. But as she stepped inside, her eyes widened in shock; the store was in shambles, books scattered everywhere, shelves overturned and debris littering the floor.

Her gaze fell upon John, the store owner, still trembling on the floor, with his eyes still haunted by fear. Kyra's heart raced as she rushes towards him, helping him to his feet with concern etched on her face.

"John, oh my goodness, what happened?" She exclaimed helping him to his feet.