"Oh I will definitely stop you, you can't get away from me." Jonah said defiantly.
"Well the only way you can stop me is if you deliver ten thousand dollars by the end of this week. No negotiations.” The figure said.
"Ten thousand fucking dollars?!" Jonah exclaimed
"Yes, ten thousand dollars. Drop it off at P.O. box 5210." The figure added.
"Well, I do not know who you are but you are not getting a single dime off me or ruining my life." Jonah told the figure
"Well I do not have the energy for all this back and forth with you anymore. I want my money by Friday or else." The figure said threatening Jonah.
Before Jonah could respond, the figure turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving him standing alone on the pier, his mind racing with questions.
Jonah turned, thoughts flying through his mind as he slowly walked back home. He could not deal with all these.
Telling Elliot was out of the question and if he knew anything about blackmailers, they will continue to ask for money and run you into the ground. He had to think of something to do and quickly.
Thirty minutes later, he had reached his doorstep. Opening the door, he was greeted by the sight of Elliot in the kitchen working on a midnight snack over the stove. Elliot, sensing his presence, turned to him. "You took an awfully long time." Elliot said, pecking his lips.
"Yea, I did. I had a lot to think about." Jonah responded
"Oh Jonah you know I am always here for you. Care to share?" Elliot told him
Jonah nodded, "To be honest I do not want to think or talk about it anymore."
"Okayyy, but you know you can always tell me anything." Elliot said, pulling Jonah in by his waist.
Jonah falls onto Elliot's chest. His hand resting on his chest.
"Well it is about work and my new boss I told you about." Jonah said to Elliot.
"Well, what about your new boss. Is he still bothering your parents?" Elliot asked.
"No, not at all. It is just the environment. Ughhh…. I am dreading going back to that toxic place." Jonah answered.
"I understand you but I want you to know that I am ready to provide all you need. You do not need to work. You can quit that job." Elliot said.
Jonah looked away knowingly. The charge of ten thousand dollars to protect his dignity to his parents. He could not even ask Elliot to help out.
"I know that, but I enjoy working for myself. Can't be a dependent little swine or a parasite." Jonah said before pulling away and walking further into the house.
*****
On the evening of the next day, as Jonah was preparing dinner, his phone buzzed with another message from the blackmailer. His heart sank as he read it.
"Tick-tock, Jonah. Time is running out. Don't make me do this. I am trying so hard to be a good person right now."
Jonah's hands shook as he typed out a response. "You are not going to get a penny from me! I do not have that kind of money to give you."
The response came almost immediately. "I do not care. Friday. Or else."
Jonah stared at the screen, his heart racing in anger. He knew better than to give into the words of blackmailers. For sure eventually they will give up. He just had to.
*****
Jonah clenched his fists, his heart pounding as he scanned the shadows. The pier was eerily quiet, the only sound the gentle lapping of water against the wooden posts. He hated this, the feeling of being watched, of being manipulated.
A figure emerged from the darkness, their face obscured by a hood. Jonah recognized the voice immediately cold, mocking, and dripping with disdain.
“You came, you are not really smart are you?"” the blackmailer said, their tone almost amused. “I was starting to think you had grown a spine.”
Jonah took a step forward, his jaw tight. “What do you want from me? I told you I do not have the money.”
The blackmailer chuckled, a low, grating sound. “Oh, Jonah. You definitely do. And trying to be stubborn right now is terrible.”
"Plus you have a super hot, super rich boyfriend." The figure added.
Jonah’s stomach churned, but he refused to back down. “You think you can scare me into paying you? I am not giving you a dime.”
The blackmailer stepped closer, their voice dropping to a whisper. “You are making a mistake, Jonah. I have been patient with you, but my patience is wearing thin. If you do not pay up, I will make sure your parents know exactly what kind of man their son is.”
"We will have them know that their son is a great guy and he is doing pretty well for himself." Jonah said snarkily
The figure squinted, narrowing their eyes at Jonah. The figure let out a low scoff.
"You seriously think I am bluffing. That is sad." Jonah’s heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. “You are bluffing. You do not have anything.”
The blackmailer reached into their coat and pulled out a small USB drive. “Oh, I have plenty. Voice recordings, photos, even a few videos. Enough to ruin your life and Elliot’s. Do you really want to risk it?”
Jonah’s blood ran cold. He had suspected the blackmailer had more evidence, but hearing it confirmed made his stomach twist. Still, he refused to show weakness. “I am not paying you. Do whatever you want.”
The blackmailer’s smile widened, their eyes glinting in the dim light. “Brave words, Jonah. But we will see how brave you are when your parents hear what is on this drive.”
Before Jonah could respond, the blackmailer turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving him standing alone on the pier. His mind raced, his heart pounding in his chest. He had no idea what was on that USB drive, but he knew it could not be good.
****
Jonah woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing incessantly on the nightstand. He groaned, rubbing his eyes as he reached for it. The caller ID made his stomach drop: Mom
He hesitated, his heart pounding as he answered the call. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
His mother’s voice was sharp, her tone laced with disapproval. “Jonah, we need to talk. Now.”
Jonah’s heart skipped a beat. “What is wrong?”
“Someone left a package on our doorstep this morning,” she said, her voice trembling with anger. “A voice recording. Jonah, what on earth have you been doing?”
Jonah’s blood ran cold. The blackmailer had made their threat come to pass. He forced himself to stay calm, his mind racing as he tried to come up with an explanation. “A voice recording? What are you talking about?”