Infront of an old apartment two men knocked on the old door.
knock knock knock
The door opened, and a thin man with dark circles, wearing a black shirt opened the door he seemd to be fearful of meeting the men. Behind him was another man with a rough look and a gun in his right hand. " Good morning, Boss," the man with the gun said, but received no reply from the short man which didnt seem to bother him.
The short man said nothing and observed the thin youth, his eyes scanning him like a prey.
"Hello, Dr. Steven!" the short man said with no warmth in his tone.
"H.... Hello, Mr. Roy" Steven stammered.
" Are you ready?" The taller man asked. "The goods in the warehouse."
When Steven heard that, he visibly paled with his body shivering. He glanced down the hip of the short man and found a pistol there. He knew that he was going to do something that could not be undone and was lost in thought.
He thought of yesterday when his life suddenly changed. He remembered his childhood when he was happy. He was by no means exceptional and was always average, but as an only son he was loved by his parents. But that all changed when his mother died on a car accident. His father then changed drastically and got involved in gambling. He lost everything, the earnings of his lifetime and the househe inherited from his grandpa. One might think that after such a childhood he would either be involved in bad influence or be excessively motivated to change the fortune of his father and himself but reality proved different. He was unusually resilient but average.
He resented his father, who lost everything that he believed was his. He used to believed Just like his father had inherited his grandfather's property he thought it was only fair to be left with something to. But everything was lost.
So he was surprised when his father asked him to join medical school and paid a significant sum upfront. When asked about it he always said him not to worry but he knew medical school expenses were massive. He didn't persist in his questioning as joining medical school was the only significant thing in his average life, though the opportunity was paid for by his father.
He endured and passed. He was isolated in college as he didn't have money to spend on partying and a girlfriend. So he passed his time reading novels and
His father passed away while he was in school after hanging himself. When he visited his grave after the funeral, Steven had bowed to his father and thanked him for sending to medical school even when he was struggling, but he could never have imagined the source of funds.
So he continued his college which had only few months to be completed.
When he was feeling down he used to push himself with visions of what he would do with his paycheck. Maybe he would gat out of this shitty apartment and get a girlfriend.
Two days after graduating Mr. Roy visited him to congratulate. At first, he thought of him to be his father's friend until he said he was there to recover the debt.
Steven had looked into the paper and gasped at the interest rate. At first he denied any responsibility and warned them that he would involve police and lawer. His plan shattered the moment gun was pointed to his head.
"I'm Sorry. I'll pay you", he had said with fear.
"Dont worry, I have a offer for you. I know you dont have money and I have waited till now but how long will it take to pay? Why dont you work for me for a few days?"
A job offer? steven thought and asked, " What do I have to do ?"
"Just work for us as a "Doctor", you will repay us in no time" Roy said with a bit of sarcasm.
Steven was surprised at first but his face paled and he nearly fainted when he heard the explanation. They wanted him to remove the organs from people which they would sell.
Steven refused, said it was illegal, unethical and said he would not do it.
Roy warned him "I have loan papers your father signed with you as witness which is notarized. Whether you like it or not I have both legal and illegal ways to ge the money. You as doctor should know which oragns can be harvested and believe it if you were layman you would not be sitting across me but lying down on an operating table bringing me money. You have until tommorow decide. Dont even think about running or informing police my men have this place surrounded and I'll be taking your phone and electronics."
"One of my man will be with you till tommorow." then he left.
After a few moments a fat man entered his shabby apartment with a pistol in his hand and threw all the electronics. He glared at Steven and sat on the old chair and barken " you will stay here all night.
Steven was watched like a prey all night. But what pissed steven was that he had no courage. He thought to himself about how he thought that his life would change now that he graduated as a doctor and laughed to himself.
At first he thought he was being pranked and everything would be alright in the morning. But deep down he knew it was real. He had never cared about source of mney because he was selfish, rationalized it thinking his father won the bets. He wanted to go to med school.
After struggling for a which he thought what if I do as they asked. Would it be that bad? I would be harvesting organs that the people sold. The people sold themselves for money so he was just providing the service right? Sellers will get money, people will get organs that they need and I would earn money and pay my debts.
After a night of contemplation, he decided to agree and at that moment something shifted inside him. The mask of morality was torn by the despair he consoled himself. But deep down he knew that was just an excuse.
Would he do the same if he was not being threatened with murder and the benefits were good? He mused to himself.
.....
Steven looked at the short man in front of his apartment and said " I have decided "
When the three people heard the reply they visibly relaxed.
" Good Good Good" " Lets go" Mr Roy said.
In the car steven said " sir I have just graduated and may not successfully complete the task"
Hearing that Roy said " Dont worry you will only be assisting for a few times "
After 30 minutes they reached outskirts of the city and enterd an old building. Roy led them to the basement where a shabby operating room was made.
The old man wearing hospital scrubs was drawing medication on a syringe when they entered. Roy greeted the man " Morning James. He will be assisting you from now on"
The old man looked irritated and said " I wont be giving him money from my portion"
" Dont worry he owes me for a few times" Roy replied.
The old man look at the steven and said change to scrubs you will be giving incisions.
Steven shuddered, he might have decided on this but it still frightened him. He entered side room guided by the tall gangster. After he left the room Old man looked at Roy and said "He seems fresh, you sure he wont chicken out?"
Roy smiled which looked sinister, his eyes ruthless and replied, " I will gradually make him assist him, after a few times he will receive few benefits. You see people like him are liek frogs in boiling pan. If you gradually heat up the pan he will stay inside till boiled alived.
Old man laughed and asked, " Have you arranged things for me ?"
Roy replied," The mansion is bought, and the money will be deposited in a week. Why do you even want to leave? The money I pay is good, much more than what normal doctors would earn in a lifetime."
"What good is money if i dont spend and enjoy it." the old man replied.
Steven entered the room and found a "patient" in the operating table.
The old man pointed to the gloves in the side and said "Hurry up its not a real hospital, so you have time to be thinking much."
Steven put on the gloves and took the scalpel the old man handed him.
" Give vertical incision above the umbilicus, we will be taking out half of his liver."
steven proceeded to give incison, blood started to seep through the incison which was stopped by the old man.
" seperate the muscle,.... cut the peritoneum..." the old man and steven were doing the work when the door was suddenly smashed open.
Steven froze then heard gun being fired by Roy and his two accomplices.
" Get away from the body " steven heard an authoritarian voice which made him freeze. He had his one hand inside the body. He could feel the organs and blood vessels pulsating with his hand.
"Get away..." the officer barked again. By then Roy was down clutching his abdomen, his two men had their heads cracked open. James was kneeling on the ground. Steven still frozen, mind reeling, could not hear the order.
Suddenly his vision went blank and he felt severe pain in his left chest. Blood gushed out like a fountain from his chest While he fell down, he thought "well seems like I don't have to pay after all."
" Why the fuck did you shoot in the chest ", the officer barked.
"We already have boss alive, Its better kill these bastards than waiting for a judge to give a light sentence. These bastards should all be killed without mercy"
Hearing his comrade talk the officer said nothing and orderd " Bring in the medical team and take him to hospital."