A day's wait.
Ethan's alarm clock buzzed sharply at 6:00 AM, pulling him from a restless sleep. He groaned, reaching out to silence the intrusive noise, then lay back for a moment, staring at the ceiling of his small apartment. Today, like every other day, promised to be a challenge.
With a resigned sigh, he swung his legs out of bed and shuffled to the kitchen. He glanced at the stack of unpaid bills on the counter and felt a familiar pang of anxiety. Pushing the thoughts aside, he focused on the task at hand: coffee. He filled the machine with water, added coffee grounds, and waited for the comforting aroma to fill the room.
As the coffee brewed, Ethan moved to the tiny bathroom to wash up. The reflection staring back at him in the mirror showed tired eyes and a face etched with worry. He splashed cold water on his face, trying to shake off the fatigue.
Dressed in his usual work attire—an old button-down shirt and slacks that had seen better days—Ethan returned to the kitchen, poured himself a cup of coffee, and took a moment to savor it. The warmth and bitterness provided a small comfort in the otherwise stressful morning.
After finishing his coffee, Ethan grabbed his coat and keys and stepped out into the crisp morning. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a pale light over the quiet streets. He walked briskly, the chill in the air keeping him alert.
At the corner, he waited for the bus, joining a few other early commuters. As the bus arrived, he climbed aboard and found a seat near the back, staring out the window as the city slowly came to life. The ride was short, but it gave him a moment to gather his thoughts before the day's grind began.
Arriving at his stop, Ethan stepped off the bus and walked the remaining few blocks to Atlas Logistics. The office was a modest building nestled among larger corporate structures, a testament to the company's struggling status. He entered the building, nodding to the security guard, Joe, who always greeted him with a cheerful smile.
"Morning, Ethan," Joe said.
"Morning, Joe. How's it going?"
"Same old, same old. Keep your head up, kid," Joe replied with a knowing look.
Ethan forced a smile. "I'll try. Thanks, Joe."
Inside, the office was already buzzing with activity. Ethan made his way to his desk, greeting a few coworkers along the way.
"Hey, Ethan," called out Sarah from the desk next to his. "Big day ahead?"
"You know it," Ethan replied, trying to muster some enthusiasm. "Just another day in paradise."
Settling into his chair, Ethan glanced at the long list of tasks awaiting him. He took a deep breath and dove in, the hours blending together in a blur of emails, phone calls, and paperwork. The work was monotonous, but it kept him busy, leaving little time to dwell on his personal problems.
As the clock neared 4 PM, Ethan was deep in a report when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and felt a jolt of anxiety—it was the hospital. He hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Pierce, this is Linda from Goodday Hospital," the voice on the other end said. "I'm calling about your mother's treatment. We've noticed that the payments are overdue, and unfortunately, we can't proceed with her treatment until the balance is settled."
Ethan's heart sank. "I understand, Linda. I'm doing everything I can to get the money together. Can you give me a little more time?"
"I'm really sorry, Mr. Pierce," Linda said gently. "We've already extended the deadline twice. We need a payment by the end of the week, or we'll have to postpone her treatment."
"I'll find a way," Ethan said, though he wasn't sure how. "Thank you for letting me know."
He ended the call and sat back, running a hand through his hair. The weight of his responsibilities felt overwhelming. His mother's medical bills, the overdue rent, the electricity bills, and now the looming threat of his sister's school fees—everything was closing in on him.
Sarah noticed his distress and leaned over. "Everything okay, Ethan?"
"Yeah, just... family stuff," he replied, trying to sound casual.
"If you ever need to talk, I'm here," she offered.
"Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate it."
Ethan turned back to his work, but his mind was elsewhere. The call had shattered his focus, and he struggled to keep up with the demands of his job. He knew he couldn't afford to make mistakes, not when his job was the only thing keeping him afloat.
As the day dragged on, Ethan's thoughts kept returning to his sister, Anna. She was a bright student, full of potential, but the cost of her education was another burden he struggled to bear. He had promised their mother he would take care of Anna, but he was barely managing to keep his promise.
By the time 5 PM rolled around, Ethan was exhausted. He packed up his things and headed for the door, bidding a weary farewell to his coworkers. The walk back to the bus stop felt longer than usual, the weight of the day's events pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Back in his apartment, Ethan sank onto the couch, the weight of the day's events settling over him like a heavy blanket. He couldn't shake the feeling of despair that had taken hold of him, the worry for his family weighing heavily on his mind.
As he sat in the dim light of his apartment, Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness wash over him. He was trapped in a cycle of debt and uncertainty, with no end in sight. But deep down, he knew he couldn't give up—not when his family was counting on him.
With a weary sigh, Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed his mother's number. Her voice, weak but filled with warmth, greeted him on the other end of the line.
"Hey, Mom," he said, trying to sound upbeat.
"Ethan, how are you, sweetheart?" his mother asked, concern evident in her tone.
"I'm hanging in there," he replied, forcing a smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Oh, you know me," she said with a chuckle. "Stubborn as ever. But enough about me. How was work?"
Ethan hesitated, not wanting to burden his mother with his worries. But he knew she could sense when something was wrong, and he couldn't bear to lie to her.
"It was tough," he admitted. "But I'm managing."
"I'm proud of you, Ethan," his mother said softly. "You're doing the best you can, and that's all anyone can ask for."
Tears pricked at the corners of Ethan's eyes as he listened to his mother's words of encouragement. Despite everything, her unwavering support was a beacon of light in the darkness.
"Thanks, Mom," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart," she replied, her voice thick with emotion. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will," Ethan promised, wiping away his tears. "Goodnight, Mom."
"Goodnight, Ethan."
As he ended the call, Ethan felt a sense of resolve wash over him. He might not have all the answers, but he refused to give up hope. With his family by his side, he knew he could weather any storm that came his way.
And he had to do something about it quick, even if it meant selling his soul to the devil.