Sunday Short: Inbox Of Reckoning
- Faiz Faisal
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
This is the sequel to the short story Inbox of Vengeance. If you haven't read it yet, you can read it here.
Ryan had almost convinced himself the nightmare was over.
Almost.
A year had passed since Jason was released from the psychiatric hospital. Life had slowly returned to something resembling normal. He had a steady job again, a small apartment across town, and a girlfriend who knew nothing about the past he tried desperately to forget.
But sometimes, late at night, Ryan would wake up sweating, replaying that moment on the highway.
Jason’s bloodstained hands.
Mr. Hendricks’ lifeless body.
The realization that a stupid prank had destroyed everything.
He told himself Jason wouldn’t come back.
He told himself Jason had moved on.
Then one evening, Ryan sat down at his laptop and saw it.
1 New Email.
The subject line made his stomach drop.
DO IT TONIGHT.
His fingers hovered over the mouse. His heart began pounding in his ears as he slowly clicked it open.
The message was short.
Kill your girlfriend, or your family dies.
Ryan froze.
The words were identical to the prank email he had once sent Jason. Same phrasing. Same tone. Even the same formatting.
His breath became shallow.
“No… this isn’t funny,” Ryan whispered.
His phone buzzed.
A photo appeared.
His mother is leaving a grocery store.
Another photo.
His younger brother is walking out of work.
Then another.
His girlfriend is asleep on the couch behind him, taken from inside his apartment.
Ryan shot out of his chair, spinning around in panic.
The room was empty.
But someone had been here.
His chest tightened as the truth settled in.
Jason.
Ryan grabbed his phone and tried calling the police, but the call dropped instantly.
His laptop screen flickered.
Another message appeared.
Don’t even try.
His hands shook violently now.
This was exactly what Jason must have felt that night.
The fear.
The impossible choice.
The clock is ticking down.
Ryan stared at his sleeping girlfriend, his heart pounding as midnight crept closer.
11:58 PM.
11:59 PM.
Midnight.
Nothing happened.
Ryan let out a shaky breath.
Then the doorbell rang.
His girlfriend stirred awake. “Ryan? Who’s here?”
Before he could stop her, she opened the door.
Jason stood there.
Calm.
Relaxed.
Smiling.
Ryan staggered back. “You sick bastard…”
Jason stepped inside casually, glancing around the apartment.
“Well,” he said softly, “that was disappointing.”
Ryan clenched his fists. “You were going to kill them, weren’t you?”
Jason chuckled.
“No.”
Ryan blinked in confusion.
“I just wanted to see if you’d do it,” Jason said.
Ryan’s stomach twisted.
Jason looked at him for a long moment, studying his face.
“You didn’t,” he finally said. “Which means you’re better than me.”
Ryan’s voice trembled. “Then why are you here?”
Jason walked toward the door again.
“Because the game isn’t over.”
Ryan frowned.
“What game?”
Jason smiled as he stepped outside.
“You’ll see.”
Ryan’s laptop chimed.
A new email appeared.
1 New Message.
Subject line:
ROUND TWO
Ryan’s hands shook as he opened it.
The message read:
Congratulations.
You passed the first test.
Round Two begins now.
Your objective is simple.
Hide.
Ryan’s throat tightened as he continued reading.
At this moment, someone has been sent to find you.
They will not ask questions.
They will not negotiate.
They will simply finish the job.
Ryan’s pulse thundered in his ears.
If you survive until sunrise…
You win.
If they find you first…
You die.
Ryan slowly looked up from the screen.
Jason was gone.
Outside, somewhere in the darkness of the city, a car engine started.
The email refreshed.
One final line appeared.
Tick tock.
They’re already looking for you.
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