Mae’s heart pounded with fear. This sound mixed with the pounding at her front door. She thought that she would get away with it, but she had been wrong.
So close to giving it all up, she just had to gamble and play with fate, and now it had caught up to her.
“Open the door, Mae! I know you’re in there!” Billy shouted as he banged on the door. “Don’t think you’re gonna trick me. You're not as good as you think you are. Now open this damn door!”
His voice brought a chill to Mae as she remembered the many times he had shouted at her before. Only this time she wasn't going to stand by and try to attempt to stop or change him. Frantically, she packed a couple of bags with her most important belongings. Outside, the sounds of the city mixed with the sounds inside her apartment, all chaotic.
At thirty-three years old, Mae had decided to change her ways, and successfully completed all the courses and training to be a therapist. It was a change from her former profession as a con-artist. However, there were similarities between the two.
She had spent her teens and most of her twenties as a talented and mischievous schemer. The daughter of the infamous conman, Sam Welles, she inherited her father's knack for deception. Growing up in Los Angeles, Mae's loving single dad taught her everything he knew about conning people, with a Robin Hood twist. Tall and burly, with thick black hair, brown eyes, and an easy smile, Sam was a master of his craft. But tragedy struck when, at the age of fifty-four, Sam passed away, leaving Mae to navigate her own path. She was devastated to have him out of her life and she dove head first into a dark place. She double downed on her schemes and plans until it swallowed her. Then miraculously she found a way out of it.
The pounding at the door continued, Mae's green eyes filled with determination. She couldn't stay knowing that Billy would eventually break through the door. She had left her life of deception behind, dedicating herself to helping others as a therapist. The weight of her past still haunted her, but she was determined to rise above it.
She grabbed a photo of her and her father and stuffed it into her bag. Memories of her father flooded her mind. Sam had always been her rock, teaching her the art of manipulation, but also instilling a sense of justice. Together, they targeted the wealthy degenerates of their hometown, Los Angeles, seeking to balance the scales of greed and corruption. Mae inherited his talents, but she also inherited his desire for a better world.
“I know you took it from me, you bitch!” Billy shouted.
It jolted Mae out of the memory flash and she continued to pack.
She wished that her father was there with her. Sam had always been there for her, showing her love in his own unconventional way. Her journey as a therapist had just begun, but her past as a con artist would always be a part of her.
Using cash that she had hoarded from doing her cons, Mae had enrolled in school to become a therapist. It was a field that intrigued her, as she had gained profound insights into human nature through her experiences as a con artist. In order to successfully manipulate someone, she had to delve deep into their psyche, understand their desires, fears, and vulnerabilities. She knew people inside out. Knowing someone’s fears meant you could manipulate them into doing something they did not want to do.
Becoming a therapist was a natural progression for Mae. Armed with her unique understanding of personalities and the complexities of human behavior, she saw the opportunity to help others navigate their own struggles. It was a chance to utilize her talents in a way that would heal rather than harm. This was her way of atoning for her sins and making a new life for herself.
The realization of her father's flawed legacy fueled Mae's determination to be a force for good. She vowed to honor his memory by dedicating herself to the well-being of others, to undo any harm she may have caused in the past. This transformation from a mischievous con artist to a compassionate therapist was her chance at redemption.
Amidst the chaos, Billy's voice pierced through the door, filled with anger and desperation. "Open the door, Mae! I know you're in there!"
His words echoed through the hallway, but Mae remained silent, refusing to engage in his demands. She had learned the hard way not to succumb to his manipulative tactics.
As she packed, Mae's hands trembled slightly, a mixture of fear and determination. She grabbed only the essentials, making sure to include her financials folder and her laptop. They held the key to her new life, her chance to start fresh and leave behind the mistakes of the past.
The weight of guilt settled upon Mae's shoulders. She knew this predicament was her own doing. Despite her resolve to leave the life of cons behind, she couldn't resist the allure of one last con. It had become an addiction, a tempting dance with danger that she had been unable to resist. Though her intention was never to hurt anyone through her cons, she found herself willing to make an exception for Billy. After enduring his abuse, she sought revenge and saw this con as a way to reclaim her power and put him in his place so that he couldn’t hurt his next victim.
Now, as Billy pounded on the door, demanding his money back, Mae's emotions were a whirlwind. Anger, fear, and a hint of satisfaction mingled within her. She knew she had hurt him, and he wanted his share of the spoils. But she also knew that this was her opportunity to break free from his grasp, to reclaim her life and move forward.
Mae's mind raced with questions as she wondered how Billy had managed to find her after all these years. But there was no time to dwell on the answer; her immediate priority was to escape his clutches. With a sense of urgency, she draped her cross-body bag over her shoulder and carefully made her way to a back window, her movements as silent as possible.
The cool night air greeted Mae as she stepped onto the fire escape, her heart pounding in her chest. She descended the metal ladder, each rung a calculated move toward freedom. With a sense of relief, she leaped from the last rung, landing on the unforgiving asphalt road below. But just as her feet hit the ground, the sound of her front door being violently breached echoed in her ears.
Billy's voice sliced through the night, filled with anger and accusation. "Mae, where are you? You conniving bitch! I'll get you!"
The words sent shivers down her spine, fueling her determination to escape his clutches once and for all.
With adrenaline coursing through her veins, Mae sprinted toward the nearest intersection. Every step took her farther away from the chaos and closer to the possibility of freedom. Her eyes scanned the streets, searching for any sign of a taxi. Desperation filled her voice as she extended her arm, desperately trying to flag one down.
A cab appeared on the horizon, its glowing sign a beacon of hope. Mae waved her hand frantically, her voice carrying a plea as she shouted at the driver. "Oh, come on! Can't you see my hand here?" Her heart sank as the cab whizzed past her, leaving her stranded on the sidewalk.
Mae's heart pounded in her chest as she heard Billy's voice, now filled with a chilling clarity. "I see you, Mae. I'll get you!" His words cut through the night air, fueling her panic.
She quickly turned to face the window, only to find Billy emerging onto the fire escape. Dread washed over her, knowing the strength and determination he possessed.
Fear gripped Mae as she realized the imminent danger. Without a second thought, she bolted, her feet carrying her out into the chaotic traffic. The blaring horns and screeching tires drowned out the sound of her racing heart. It was a desperate attempt to create distance between herself and Billy, to find any means of escape.
In a moment of sheer terror, Mae found herself frozen in the path of an oncoming cab. Her eyes squeezed shut, bracing for impact, convinced it was the end. But when she dared to open her eyes, a wave of relief washed over her. The cab had come to a sudden halt, its fender mere inches from colliding with her.
The cab driver looked at her with a kind smile, leaning out of the window. His Scottish accent added a touch of warmth to the air. "Need a ride, lass?" he offered, extending a lifeline of escape. Mae's gratitude overwhelmed her as she rushed to the cab, yanking the door open and sliding inside.
"Floor it," she urged, her voice tinged with urgency. The cab accelerated, its tires screeching against the pavement. As the distance between Mae and her pursuer grew, she couldn't help but glance over her shoulder. Billy had leapt from the fire escape ladder, landing on the unforgiving asphalt. Relief flooded her being, the weight of narrowly escaping his clutches settling upon her.
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