CHAPTER SEVEN (MAYBE ITS A PRANK)

".....officer, you have the wrong person" Bryan said, when they got to the hallway - heading to the stairs. His heart thumped in extreme fear.

"...you need to stop talking" officer Nate said, pushing Bryan forward to the elevator.

"..I'm innocent, I...."

"Shut up" The manager impeded. "You're a criminal and you'd be punished for your crimes"

The receptionist shot Bryan an irked stare when they got to the reception. Bryan's heart constricted when he exchanged glances with her.

*Make it faster" officer Nate said, pushing Bryan toward the exit.

The serenity of the night welcomed their sights when Bryan and the two police men stepped outside the hotel. A police vehicle with blaring sirens was parked outside the facility.

"This way" officer Nate said using his hand as a beeline for Bryan. They pushed Bryna into the van and before he could make any move of defense - the door had been shut - leaving him to the apex of the dark van.

Bryan's heart palpitated in outright rage. It felt like too much had happened that night and it was just too much to handle. It was on this same night that he caught his girlfriend cheating. That part of the night felt so painful because he caught her on his birthday. Bryan felt success had flickered its glints on him when he got that hundred million dollar alert.

The moment when Matt (The old man with the SUV) approached him crept into his heart again. He recalled his words and it felt like he now had a reason to doubt every damn thing he said. " If I'm wealthy and influential like he said, why I'm I here?" Bryan thought.

He narrowed his lips as the blusters of the engine cut into the air. The car began to move and Bryan permitted the threatening tears in his eyes trickle down his cheeks freely. He bit his lips, clenching his fist like he'd sliver the handcuffs.

The validation he got when he called Ava earlier that night reverberated in his heart again. He trusts Ava to the moon and back. She was never going to lie to him.

"Oops, It could be a birthday prank" Bryan thought to himself.

But he was unable to figure out which of the whole situation was a prank. Was it the hundred million dollars? Matt's catchy words? Ava's reassurance?

Maybe none of that was a prank, it could be the part where he was about to get crushed by a drunk driver. And he escaped it and tried to he humane by saving the accident victim.

The receptionist at the hotel isn't exempted too. Her erratic behavior could be a prank too. And officer Nate and his partner could be elements of the prank.

Bryan's heart couldn't contain the horror and pain that dawned on him - whilst he sat on that van. If it wasn't a prank, then it'll only imply that he had lived his entire life in deceit - and he'll complete his earthly course - while paying for a crime he committed reversely. And if it was a prank - then its a stunt - pulled by the world's best prankster - who'd have Bryan's wrath to contend with if he gets out of this mess.

****

Feeble light fled into the room through the caged window. Fainted darkness crept into the room despite the light. A huge sliding brass and metallic door laid over the entrance. The bars of the gate had worn off - from the hands grabbing them. A ceiling light stood at the center - with a cage hovering over the bulb.

The cement walls had several batters and unreadable writings and signs on them. A metallic locker and a wooden chair, situated at the right peak of the room, while Bryan was at the other end - sitting on a barred mattress. He had been stripped off his blood-spattered delivery boy uniform. Fitful goosebumps raided his bare skin, as he sat - hands - still handcuffed.

Bryan's heartbeat pulsed almost in sync with the footsteps that echoed from the walkway.

A ball of flesh had grown under Bryan's eyes. His skin - battered with bruised. The officers had rained their fists on him all night, and all that's left off him is a sore and wounded body. Unlike the previous night where Bryan's demeanor is clustered with anger and a handful of doubts. At the moment he's seething with regrets and all that's left in his weary heart are crumbs of unexpressed misery. Pains that comes from trying to be humane and you get hit in the back.

Bryan leaned back, he swiveled to the edge of the bed - resting his back on the cold wall. He gritted his teeth - eyes stung with tears. He plotted his hand between his legs, until the first tear fell, Bryan didn't know the magnitude of pain clustering in his heart.

An hour later, the howling of a bunch of keys jolted Bryan off his thoughts. He slowly wiped his teary face. The metallic door slid to the side, as Bryan drifted to the edge of the bed. He narrowed his sight towards the door - an officer stepped into the room.

Bryan sat up - skeptical about the officer's next move.

"Bryan Morris" the officer said.

Bryan's heart missed a beat when the officer called his full name. A gasp eluded his lips and he maintained eye contact - eager to hear more.

"You're free now. Your innocence has been proved. We apologize for the torture. We were just doing our job" the officer said. He tucked a key into the Bryan's handcuff and unlocked it.

The officer helped Bryan to get on his feet. He parted his back softly and led him to the exit door.

**

Bryan inhaled as he stood at the sidewalk - I'm front of the police station. He had been freed, he had been given his shirt and phone. And for a split second he was too stunned to decide where to go.

Bryan proceeded down the block. The noise of the reawakening city buzzing at his ears.

Bryan's phoned peeped with a message. A message from Ava.

"Bryan where have you been? I've been trying to reach you. The empire and board directors are waiting on you. Plus, there's a birthday party you need to attend. Get yourself here now"

If only Ava had a single idea.