When Nigel noticed his mother’s sedan was in the driveway after school, he instantly got a bad feeling. He heard sobs when he entered the house and froze in the living room when he saw his mother holding Ralphie in her arms.
“Now there, Mommy is here,” Ellen said in a reassuring tone.
“What happened?” Nigel demanded.
“Ralphie was attacked today.”
“What? Who?” Nigel felt the rush of blood flow through his face.
“Martha’s son Jake. Ralphie was apparently attacked because of something you did,” Ellen said in an accusing tone. “I’m not a fool, Nigel. I know what you have been up to with your side business, and I’m putting an end to it.”
Nigel’s throat felt constricted.
”I also want you to refund Jake’s money. Martha has assured Jake’s cooperation.”
Nigel said nothing. He only nodded in frustration and shame.
“Martha and I are expecting a resolution between you two by the end of the day,” Ellen said cooly.
Nigel went to his room and immediately called Jake on his cell.
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“Hey, Bonehead. How’s Bonehead Junior doing?” Jake chuckled.
“Leave my brother out of this. If you have a problem, you come to me!”
“I tried, but you have been gone. I want what's owed to me.”
“If I refund you, will you leave us alone?” Nigel asked.
“Give me $300 for my account and another $300 for Donnie's account by tomorrow and we will be square,” Jake said.
“That's double the amount you originally gave me!”
“Then you can pick which one of you gets beaten until I get the full amount,” Jake demanded. “Think of it as an interest payment.”
“Okay, you win. But I need your word that you will leave us alone,” Nigel said.
“Get me the money and unlock my account and you have my word.”
Nigel could feel his smug smile through the phone. “I will need some time.”
“A refund will buy you a week's worth of grace time, then the beatings will continue.” Jake hung up.
Nigel took in a deep gasp of breath, then fell to the floor. His head began to spin. His vision blurred with tears.
After what felt like an eternity, Nigel got up and attempted to regain his composure. As he was wiping away tears, he noticed the large envelope that sat on his desk.
He pulled out a large folder that had his name on it. Under his name, the words “Senior Student Researcher: Level Five” were handwritten in elegant cursive.
The envelope contained an information packet detailing information about the internship, including procedures for rooting and sideloading applications on the student's smartphone and details on encrypted secure communications and how assignments were to be delivered via an app.
The last page of the packet contained scholarship information. To get the scholarship, students had to complete a minimum quota of assignments as determined by the level of the position. The higher the student’s level, the more assignments were assigned. Nigel had a feeling the difficulty would also be higher. Nigel supposed he should have felt excitement, but all he felt was dread.