Shadows And Stethoscope.

Allison had barely slept all night, her mind consumed with thoughts of how to raise the money to pay back her father's debts. Among the files she had discovered, one contained an address, but its significance remained a mystery. Nevertheless, she felt compelled to investigate further, desperate to find a solution.

In the early morning, she prepared a well-packaged breakfast for her mother and left a note explaining her sudden departure. She didn't want to worry her mother or reveal the dangerous path she was about to tread. Allison hailed a taxi and directed the driver to the location specified in the address.

As they arrived at their destination, Allison's heart pounded in her chest. She found herself standing outside a dimly lit warehouse, an ominous structure that seemed to exude a sense of secrecy and danger. Uncertainty gripped her, and she hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do next.

Before she could make a decision, a sudden gunshot pierced the air, causing Allison to crouch down instinctively and cover her ears in fear. Panic and adrenaline surged through her veins, and her mind raced with thoughts of what might be happening inside.

Two men emerged from the warehouse, their guns drawn as they approached Allison, who was still crouched down. The barrel of a gun was pointed in her direction as one of the men demanded, "Who are you?"

Summoning all her courage, Allison stood up slowly, her heart pounding in her ears. "I'm Allison Jones," she replied quickly, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm the daughter of Robert Jones."

The men exchanged glances, and then one of them spoke, "Follow us."

Reluctantly, Allison complied, her mind a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. The men led her into the warehouse and into a small, dimly lit room, where she was left alone, her heart still racing.

After what felt like an eternity, the door opened again, and a man walked in, the same man who had delivered the letter to her the previous day. He was tall and imposing, his eyes cold and calculating.

"Allison Jones," he said, his voice firm. "Seems your father was right when he said you were quite smart. I'm curious, how did you locate us? I’m very much aware that you’ve been out of the country for a few years" the man asked, his tone filled with intrigue.

Allison took a deep breath, trying to steady herself in the face of this dangerous individual. "I really didn't come all this way so early for this. I need to discuss my father's debt. It's a significant amount, and I won't be able to pay it back as soon as possible. I need more time," she explained, her voice filled with a mix of desperation and determination.

After a brief silence that seemed to stretch on for an eternity, the man finally spoke again. "We might have use of you. That way, you can pay back the debt and even earn some extra money," he proposed, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

Allison's immediate response was one of defiance. "I refuse to work with your organization," she spat out, her voice laced with disdain. The thought of aligning herself with the criminals responsible for her father's dark past was repulsive to her.

The man chuckled, his laughter sending chills down Allison's spine. "Well, you either accept my offer or ensure we have your father's debt ready in one week," he stated, his tone carrying a menacing undertone.

Allison knew deep down that she couldn't come up with such a substantial amount of money in such a short time. With a calm resolve, she asked, "What's the offer?"

The man's smile widened as he leaned back in his chair. "You just have to treat our men. You see, if we had someone like you before, your father would still be alive. Your medical skills are quite beneficial in preventing unnecessary losses," he explained, his words chillingly matter-of-fact.

Allison's mind raced as she weighed her options. Working for The Agostas would mean descending further into the darkness she despised.

Suppressing her anger and fear, Allison maintained a composed exterior. "Fine," she said, her voice tinged with resignation. "I will treat your men. But mark my words, this is temporary. Once the debt is repaid, I want out, and I want you to leave my family alone."

The man's gaze hardened, and a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "We shall see, Miss Jones," he replied cryptically. "Remember, loyalty is rewarded."

Allison's steps felt heavy as she made her way out of the dimly lit room, her mind swirling with fear and uncertainty. The reality of her situation was sinking in, and she couldn't help but question her decision to get involved with The Agostas. What had her father gotten her into? How could he have been part of such a dark and dangerous world?

As she navigated through the maze-like warehouse, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The shadows seemed to dance around her, whispering secrets of the organization she had now become entangled with. The weight of her father's actions weighed heavily on her shoulders, leaving her feeling trapped and alone.

Although the man had not explicitly told her she was free to go, no one came to escort her out. It was as if they were watching, waiting to see if she would truly accept their offer. Allison knew she had to play her cards carefully; her actions from this point on would be crucial in navigating this treacherous path.

Exiting the warehouse, Allison finally took a deep breath of fresh air, trying to calm her racing heart. She knew she had little time to waste, so she hailed a taxi and quickly made her way home.

Once there, she found her mother sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of tea. Belinda looked up as Allison entered, concern evident in her eyes.

"Allison, dear, you look troubled. Is everything alright?" Belinda asked gently.

Allison hesitated for a moment, grappling with the decision of whether to confide in her mother or keep her involved life secret. She knew that revealing the truth would worry her, but she also couldn't bear the burden alone.

Taking a seat opposite her mother, Allison decided to share a portion of what she had discovered. "Mom, there's something I need to tell you," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "Dad had some debts, and they have now fallen on me."

Belinda's expression turned to one of concern. "Debts? What kind of debts?" she asked, her worry growing.

Allison carefully chose her words. "I'm not entirely sure, but I’ll handle it.’’