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|<center>Prompt reply for [The Cost - Worldbuilding & Writing prompt](https://peakd.com/hive-191038/@worldbuilder/worldbuilding-prompt-507-the-cost)</center>|

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The phone rang for the seventh consecutive time. It was a trap, but it was also a leash. I couldn't answer it because then they'd *know* I'd been avoiding them... and I couldn't *leave* it because if I didn't answer the *other* call... this whole dang thing would come toppling down.

Two days. That's what they'd said. Two days and it'd all be cleared up and no one would be the wiser. That was five days ago, and I counted my blessings every hour that someone didn't put a boot through my door.

The boot was coming, no doubt. Seven calls in a row? Yeah, that isn't a sign of patience and understanding. But then again, my long history of success was probably the only reason I hadn't already been dragged to the boss kicking and screaming. Or, worse - and more likely - unconscious.

Let me back it up a bit here. It's confusing, even for me, so... I started this whole thing five years ago when I had started down this big money-making scheme of drop-shipping and had totally blown it. Desperate, I started looking for *anyone*, *anywhere* who would be willing to let me be the middleman for package delivery and... well, that's when I found myself browsing some less reputable corners of the internet.

And, lucky stars, there was someone looking to stash parcels for medium lengths of time, willing to pay in whatever crypto or cash I could name. (Should've been a red flag, right there... but, when you're desperate sometimes you don't look to closely at the job offered). 

So, I took it. I mean, of course I took it. Rent two months behind due, and utilities even worse... yeah, things were *grim* and options were few. Plus, they were offering 25% up-front for 
just parking a few boxes in my apartment for a month. 25% of 10 freaking grand. I'd be stupid not to take it, right?

Hah.. yeah, you're probably saying 'nah, you're stupid FOR taking it', and you're right... I probably am.

Well, actually, I definitely am. I followed all the rules right up until a week ago, when I finally got just a bit too curious and cracked open one of the boxes. I mean... I'd been storing and having random folks come in to unload and re-load the same-looking boxes for **years** without a single idea of what was inside and I was *so curious*. You have no idea what it was like! I... It had been *eating* at me for years! Slowly growing until I had to just take quick look. Just a peak, ya know, to see what all this secrecy was about. 

How was I supposed to know there were *boxes* of Rift Keys just sitting here? And once I **did know**... my stupid best friend had always wanted to see what it was like for the richie-rich folks who could afford these dimension-hopping keys. He begged me and eventually, I caved. He'd be back way before pickup, and whatever he managed to snag from wherever he went... I'd keep.

Extra-dimensional goods aren't *cheap*, ya know? I'd make a pretty penny off of just about anything he could bring back... but then he'd **have to come freaking back** wouldn't he? 

Dummy probably got himself killed or locked up or god knows what and now I've got a missing Rift Key and we're 3 days behind on delivery because I barred the goddamn doors and windows. 

I'd better hear the phone ring his code soon or I swear if I live through the thrashing I'm going to receive, I'll put a bounty on him. 

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