Diamond Of The Rough

2024 Part 1 

Riley decided against going through with her meeting with Mason at the abandoned warehouse at noon. She already knew she was too involved with this. If I don’t go what will happen? It weighed heavily on Riley’s mind. No, I won’t go. Riley instead chose to stay inside her home. There was nothing Riley could do. She was done helping Mason. She placed a tea kettle on the stove and pulled out a mug, placing a peppermint tea bag inside. As she sat down, her watch chimed, it was now noon. There was no going back now. Mason would know she was done. Suddenly Riley’s phone chimed signaling a text message. She wasn’t frightened by the message at all. She typed in a response with newfound confidence. Then, his texts seem to become more like a threat rather than just a typical Mason response. 

You better get here soon. I don’t tolerate tardiness. 

 Mason  

12:05 p.m.  

I’m not coming, Mason. I’m not coming to you ever again.   

 Riley 

 12:07 p.m.  

You’re making a big mistake. 

Mason 

12:10 p.m. 

I don’t think so, Mason. Just admit that I’m no 

 longer helping you and you're afraid of what will happen. Just give up. 

Riley 

12:11 p.m. 

We’ll see, Riley.  

Mason  

12:12 p.m. 

Riley threw her phone across the couch. A shiver ran down her back. Was he threatening her? BANG! BANG! Riley looked up with a start. Was Mason here? How had he arrived so fast? The banging continued for what seemed like hours. Riley made no move to get the door. Riley was embedded in her spot on the couch. Then, she heard a clicking noise coming from her door. Riley then knew Mason had picked the lock.

"Riley, you didn’t really think I would just let you get away, did you?” Mason asked.

Mason was sporting a black leather jacket, with his favorite dark sunglasses, and smooth hair. Riley had a solemn look on her face. Riley was actually frightened by Mason. She wanted to run but didn’t want to risk it.

“You seem to think you could just walk away, Riley, but it's much more complex. "Mason laughed.

Riley knew she needed to get away before he could hold her hostage. At that moment, the tea kettle whistled.

“I need to get that.” She spoke.

It would be her only opportunity. Mason studied her for a moment, but he said nothing. As she walked up to the kettle, Riley clasped her hands together. Riley turned the stove handle off. She grabbed the tea kettle and poured steaming water over the mug. It’s now or never, Riley thought. She picked up her mug and threw the steaming liquid at Mason. It splashed his jacket and shirt and Mason growled. Riley took off running towards the back door, yanking the door as hard as she could. She ran across her yard towards the side of the house. Riley climbed the fence, but her shirt snagged on a fence post. When she reached the front yard, she took off in a sprint. That was until Riley felt a strange pain in the back of her head. Oh no, Riley thought before she thudded to the ground. 

****** 

Riley awoke with bonds on her wrists and ankles.

“Hmm.” That was the only noise Riley could make with a gag in her mouth.

She looked around, but she couldn’t see much. She was in what seemed to be a truck with two men in the front. The two men appeared to be talking to each other. I need to get out of here, Riley thought. Just then, the truck stopped and one of the men got out. He opened the door to where she was lying down.

“Time to get up, Riley,” Mason said pulling the gag out of her mouth.

“I can't walk these bonds on tied on me.” She spoke.

“You think I’m that dumb, Riley? I know what stunt you’ll try to pull.”

“I won’t I promise. Besides, you could just hit me in the head with that stick again.” “Good point, Riley. I’ll keep that in mind.” Mason removed her bonds while the other man locked the truck.

“Move forward,” Mason commanded.

Here they were, at the abandoned warehouse. No one would find her here; it had been abandoned for 15 years and Mason knew that.

“If you don’t do as I say, things will be bad for you,” Mason said.

The other man took hold of her and tied her arms and waist to a chair.

“You’re going to answer my questions, and maybe I’ll let you go,” She nodded her head in agreement.

“Did you tell anyone about the diamonds, Riley?”

“No!”

“Someone did and now they’re gone. I think you either told someone to steal them from me or you did it yourself.”

“I promise you I didn’t steal the diamonds or have someone else steal them for me.” Mason looked into her eyes and said, “I’m not dumb, Riley. You did something and I know it. Those diamonds are mine.”

“I don’t have the diamonds and I mean that.”

“You want to get out of here? Well, you better cough up my diamonds.” Riley looked away.

It was obvious Mason didn’t believe her, but how could she change his mind? “Come on, Jack, let’s go.”

Mason and Jack left her in the room alone. The warehouse was a large run-down building with broken, stained windows, broken floor pieces, and gaps in the roof. There weren’t many rooms in the warehouse, which meant that Mason and Jack were nearby. Riley had an idea. She began to rock her chair back and forth until her chair fell and hit the floor.

”What was that?” Mason asked.

She was right, Mason was close.

“What are you doing?” Mason asked.

“I had to get your attention.”

“What is it?”

“The diamonds... they’re at the creek.”

Riley hoped Mason would believe this and go to the creek. Then, she could escape while he was away.

“I knew you had them, Riley. I told you; you can’t outsmart me.”

“Jack, untie her and follow me.”

“Wait! Why are you untying me?”

“You’re coming with us, Riley. How else will I find the diamonds without you?”

 Now, she was in a big mess. She assumed they would go off on their own. She hadn’t expected them to take her with them. Riley was worse off than before. What could she do now? 

TO BE CONTINUED....