The Collector

Trish stared at the single piece of paper on her coffee table. Chaotic lines creased the page, the result of her crumpling it into a ball in a fit of emotions. 

In Prism City there were records of everything. Every data point connected to what you did or didn’t do. Messages were sent through the comm network. They left a record with traceable data. 

No one used paper. 

Big block handwriting scrawled across the paper: Collection will be made at 0100. Be home.

Trish glanced at the time display on her wall comm. It was 0052. Her body jittered with the need to run. Rather than giving in to panic, she stood from her sofa and snatched up her wine glass. Pacing the room to calm her nerves. She walked to the window and peered through the curtains at the night. The streets were slick with fallen rain. A single light perched in the distance, begging her to escape.

The time to run had passed. Where could she go? if she didn’t have the credits to make the payment, she certainly couldn’t afford to run. No, instead of running she’d come up with a plan. A poorly devised, desperate plan that was now piled neatly in the centre of the coffee table. She’d collected all her jewellery next to the paper. It would be a way for them to see she could afford another month or two. She just needed a little time to find a job and she would be back on track. 

She squeezed her eyes shut. 

This was her fault, she was an addict and all her lies had led her here. 

A loud knock vibrated through her. She snapped her eyes open and watched the door. They were here. 

She was paralyzed. Her legs kept her in place. It wasn’t as if they would break into her apartment if she didn’t answer, right? She could just pretend she wasn’t home, maybe fake an accident. Some excuse that showed she hadn’t intended to skip out on her bill.

Another knock. Louder and shorter. 

Her bare feet stepped silently toward the door. If she ignored the knock, then she would have time to sell the jewellery and make the payment. It would also give her time to come up with a good excuse, something they would accept. Especially if she showed them she was serious about making amends.

Something poked through the bottom crease of the door. Trish tip-toed towards it. The corner of a page of paper was being shoved underneath. Trish squatted and watched it emerge from the outside hall. The paper shuffled back and forth until words became visible.

We know you’re home. Don’t be stupid.

The blood drained from her head. A long-shuttered breath escaped. How did they know she was here? Were they watching her? She stood from her squat and stepped back from the door. If they knew, then no excuse would get her out of it. Why didn’t she run when she had the chance?

She chugged the wine. Trish was a good negotiator. These people wanted to get paid, right? All she had to do was be bold and confront the issue with confidence. She waved her wrist over the scanner by the door. The lock disengaged. She steadied her breath and pulled on the handle.

A massive bald man and a short stout woman stood on the other side. 

“Hello Miss Heart,” the woman said. “Mind if we come in?” 

Trish glanced at the tower of a man. He was the kind of guy that could pick her up with one arm. He chewed something, lips smacked together like a warning trying to get out. Trish stepped aside to let them pass. 

“Unfortunate weather we are having, aren’t we?” she said. The woman undid her rain dusted coat. “Such an early start to fall.” The woman held the jacket towards Trish.

Trish looked at the empty wine glass in her hand and placed it on a table next to the door. “Who are you?” she asked and took the coat from the woman. 

The woman’s heals tapped against Trish’s floors. “Who I am is not very important, but you may call me Bubbles. I’m a freelance debt collector.” Grey strands peppered her hair.

“Bubbles?” Trish asked. 

“An old nickname that stuck.” Bubbles walked towards the living room. “Please take a seat, we have much to discuss.”

Trish hung the coat on a peg near the door and followed her into the living area. “I missed yesterday’s deadline but there is a good reason. I have collateral for you, to show you I can pay.”

Bubbles walked over to a display case. “This is a lovely place,” she said and touched a trinket. “I asked you to sit.”

The command vibrated through her. Trish sat on the sofa. She reached out to pick through the pile of jewellery on the table. “This one was my grandmother’s.” Trish’s voice stuttered. “It’s been passed down and is worth much more than my missed payment.”

Bubbles glanced around the room. “You did very well for yourself, didn’t you? To afford such a beautiful apartment in this part of the city,” she tisked. “It’s always so sad when good people ruin their own good fortune.”

Trish clutched her grandmother’s ring. “I know I made a mistake but I completely intend to fix it. I just need a few weeks to get the credits together and I will never miss another payment.”

Bubbles tilted her head. “How long have you been unemployed Trish?” she asked. “Six months now?” 

Trish swallowed.

“Dear, you should have sold that ring yesterday and made the payment before the deadline. It’s too late now.”

Trish put the ring on the table. “What do you mean it’s too late?” The room felt hot, perspiration tingled her back.

Bubbles returned a trinket to the display case. “Do you remember the conditions of your loan? If not, I would be happy to run through the details with you.”

Trish rubbed the sofa with her palms. “I remember.”

“Then what did it say about missed payments?”

Trish looked at her grandmother’s ring, the only thing she had left of her. Something she never would have dreamed of trading before today. “It said that any missed payments would result in immediate collection of the full loan amount.”

Bubbles bobbed her head in agreement. “You are exactly right. Which is why I’ve come this evening. To collect the loan in full.”

Trish glanced at the pile of jewellery. “I don’t have the credits right now, but my jewellery should be enough to cover some of it. I can get you the rest in a few days.”

Bubbles walked around the coffee table and sat next to Trish. She tried to grab Trish’s hand but Trish kept it planted on the sofa. Bubbles patted it instead.

“My dear, it’s too late for that. We’re here to collect the payment in full.”

Trish stared at her. “But I’m offering you payment, take the jewellery now and I will get you the rest.”

Bubbles shook her head. “You are misunderstanding. You have something very valuable that you can offer us as payment.”

Trish felt panic skitter through her chest. “I don’t understand.”

Bubbles smiled with fresh pink lipstick. She pulled on Trish’s left arm, lifting it from the couch. She traced a finger from her wrist to the start of her forearm. The spot where a blue armband covered the incision scar. “What you have inside this arm is a very valuable ID chip,” she said. “Something that we can sell for a very good profit, to the right buyer.”

“What?” Trish yanked her arm away from the woman. “Are you being serious?! That’s impossible, ID chips can’t be traded between people!” she shrilled. Trish leapt up from the sofa. “I want you to leave right now!” She jammed a finger towards the door.

The tower of a man moved away from his guard post. He marched towards her. 

Trish backed away nearly tripping on her own feet. “What if I start screaming?!” she cried. “Someone will come right away; these walls aren’t soundproof.” 

Bubbles held up a hand and the massive man ceased his momentum. Trish darted her eyes between the two of them. Neither moved. Rain tapped against the window. 

“Please keep your voice at a reasonable level,” Bubbles said. “I can’t stand shrill sounds.” She rolled her shoulders and tipped her head from side-to-side. “I’m sure all of this is very frightening to you.” She stood from her spot on the couch. “For someone like you, this can all seem like an impossible nightmare. After all, who would want to buy your life after you’ve made such a mess out of it?” She stepped in front of Trish. “The interesting thing is that there are actually many people that would buy your life. You have a privilege that so many lack.” She leaned closer than was comfortable. “Freedom.”

Trish opened her mouth to speak. Bubbles pressed a finger to Trish’s mouth. 

“You owe a great deal of debt to the Office Miss Heart. More than you will be able to repay in your current situation. As such, I intend to profit from your unfortunate circumstance. I am aware of how much you have in your account and I have calculated how much is of value is in this apartment. Unfortunately, you cannot afford to pay your debt. You are on the verge of losing everything.”

Trish shrunk away from the woman. 

“Please understand, I am not one to apply force. I prefer people to make the decision themselves. It makes the process much more pleasant.”

Rain spattered the window, the sound echoed through Trish.

“If you choose to come with me, you will not be harmed. Eventually, you will even be permitted to return to your life. Once the third party is finished using your identity.”

Trish looked between the short woman in front of her and the massive man a few meters back. There wasn’t a way for her to get to the door. She was blocked.

“It’s very simple, you will announce on your socials that you decided to take a vacation and you will come with us tonight. If you have any plans or people you must inform, you will do so before we leave this apartment.”

Trish backed into the wall. “This is completely illegal. You can’t threaten me into selling a piece of my myself.”

Bubbles grinned. “Miss Heart, in all my years in this business, I have never once collected a person that did not do something wrong. What was it that you did Miss Heart? Why did you need the credits?”

A bead of sweat slid down Trish’s back. “I can’t just disappear,” she nearly whispered. “I’m meant to live in the city. I have friends and family. They would search for me and I’d just be gone.” Trish grabbed the woman’s sleeve. “Please, there has to be another way.”

Bubbles used her forefinger and thumb to detach Trish’s hand from her arm. “I don’t like it when people beg. It’s a very ugly look, like a frightened animal. You are not an animal Miss Heart. Have some dignity.”

Trish wiped away the liquid that seeped from her eyes.

“You have heard my offer, now please decide.”

Bubbles turned away from Trish.

“Where are you going?” Trish asked. 

“I run a very tight schedule. I need to move onto my next contract.” Bubbles walked towards the front door. The massive man followed her lead.

“You’ll leave me here?” Trish asked.

Bubbles looked at the man and pointed to her coat. “I’ve already told you, I do not apply force.”

“Then why is he here?” Trish gestured to the man.

Bubbles fed her arms into the coat. “He is here for my protection.” 

Trish used the sofa to block the path between her and them, for her own pointless protection. “What will happen if I don’t go with you?” 

Bubbles shrugged. “I work freelance. I do not know who they will send next.” She buttoned up her coat. “But you should know that I have a reputation for being gentle. It’s how I earned my nickname.” 

Trish felt hot fire burn her eyes. Fear attempting to escape. She’d ruined everything when she’d decided to gamble away her savings. If she’d stopped there, she could have recovered but she kept going until there was nothing but insurmountable debt. 

The big man opened the door, snapping Trish out of her thoughts.

“Wait,” Trish said. The thought of what she was going to say next threatened to burst her apart.

Bubbles turned back, a joyless smile crest up her cheeks. 

“Where will you take me?” she asked.

“You don’t get to ask that. If you are agreeing to our terms, act now and make it believable.”

Trish shuttered out a breath and walked to the wall comm in the living room. She waved her wrist over the scanner. The screen blinked and filled with her personal settings. She tapped the socials icon and turned on the camera. She wiped under her eyes clearing away smeared makeup and puffed up her hair before plastering a smile on her face. She pressed the record symbol. 

“Hi my wonderful friends and followers!” She waved at the camera. “As you all know I’ve been dying to take a break from this chaotic city and have decided it’s time for a much-needed vacation. I’m going to tour some of the hot spots and most importantly get away from all the stress of updating my socials! I won’t be around for the next little while but will update everyone as soon as I get back. Can’t wait!” Trish ended the recording. 

“You’ve made the right choice,” Bubbles agreed.

Trish stared at the screen. A still picture of her face at the start of the recorded message. A button flashed in front of her. Would you like to post? It asked. 

“Please hurry, I am on a schedule,” Bubbles pressed.

Trish tapped Yes and turned to face the collector. “Now what?” she asked.

“Now you disappear.”