[ WP ] The slow descent of a decent person with good , consistent morals who was pushed too far and forced into doing something he/she would never have dreamed of doing .

`` So this is what happens huh? This is where it got me?'' 
 
 Sam mused as he glanced around at the ornate setting. The lavish living room; the type you only see in magazines, rap videos, and probably Donald Trump's wet dreams. But it was n't his. None of it was his. It was all the property of the man who'd led him to this point. 
 
 `` What do you mean by that?'' Mr. Phoenix, his boss, asked as he slouched leisurely. For once the smirk did n't exist. Holy shit. Sam did n't think he'd ever see that happen. He's never been completely serious as far as he'd known him. 
 
 `` What's the point in all this?'' Sam asked in a blank tone, `` It all does n't make sense. I never wanted things to end up like this.'' 
 
 `` I think it ended up how it should've.'' Phoenix replied, `` Things could n't have worked out any other way. I've seen that look before. You're not okay with our arrangements?'' 
 
 `` I never wanted a life like this.'' Sam mentioned grimly, `` I just wanted to pay my way for once. Just pay the bills. Pay for school. Pay my family back for all the good they've done. I wanted to make them happy.... All I wanted to do was be successful.'' 
 
 `` And you are.'' Phoenix said, `` My daughter, as well as the rest of your friends, are glad you're back on the team.'' 
 
 `` At what cost??'' Sam interrupted, `` Phoenix, for Christ sakes, people are *dead* now man! I- I mean fuck man... I- I did n't... What have I done??'' 
 
 `` They died because of the choices they made.'' Phoenix smirked classically, `` We just seized opportunities that came along.'' Phoenix watched as Sam squirmed again; the dreadlocks hiding his eyes as he stared at the handgun he'd laid on the table earlier. 
 
 `` Did they though?'' Sam guessed cynically, `` I mean, the bullets tended to do a lot of the work.'' He watched Phoenix as he polished off some whisky. 
 
 `` That's the thing. Everybody has something they're good at. And we all agree, you've probably found it.'' Phoenix paused to himself, `` I'll admit it; at first I thought you were just some dumb stoner who'd gotten in too deep with the wrong crowd. Y'know, our mutual friend with the kung-fu skills, the twins, and the others you hung in college with...'' 
 
 He checked to see if Sam was still following him. He was. Phoenix had to chuckle for a moment. 
 
 For a 23 year old, Sam was probably one of the most unusually intimidating people he'd met in a long time. He did n't know it, but he'd become something of a legend. People know of his existence; and fear his wrath. Yet here he is, half-baked in the living room, oblivious as usual, in the throes of an identity crisis. 
 
 `` So...'' Phoenix continued, `` Since they seemed to respect you, I assumed you must have skills of some sort. So I gave you a test, of sorts.'' 
 
 `` By'test' you mean a high speed tour of Chicago, via threatening my family.'' Sam reminded him casually. 
 
 `` Oh come on, the footage was prerecorded. I just had someone dress it up enough to make you think you had no options. And I prefer to call it a scavenger hunt.'' Phoenix countered emphatically. 
 
 `` I nearly got hit by a train!'' Sam noted angrily. 
 
 `` I did n't plan on you getting caught in a car accident.'' Phoenix shrugged, `` People need to quit texting and driving.'' 
 
 `` They *really do*.'' Sam offhandedly nodded. 
 
 `` And yet you avoided the police, found the items, shot a mercenary in the leg, and generally proved you are a bit of a badass when put in a no-win situation.'' 
 
 `` He was n't a mercenary.'' Sam started, `` You said Pete did runs for coffee and donuts for you.'' 
 
 `` *Yeah*, after you shot him in the *femoral artery. * That takes a while to heal from. Pete did do some work in Panama in the 90's though. Seriously, the guy's no joke. Like one time, he had this watermelon, and the Columbians were closing in-'' Phoenix waved his hands suddenly, `` I'm getting off track. The point is, you're made for this stuff.'' 
 
 `` Hold on, the fuck happened with the watermelon?'' Sam balked. 
 
 `` Nevermind that,'' Phoenix calmed down, `` The point is, and it's obvious: You actually like this shit.'' 
 
 `` Say what now?'' Sam realized. 
 
 `` You like this stuff anymore.'' Phoenix outlined, `` You could've backed out of *everything* you've done until now, and been a regular student like all the others. Most of it, you could've just said'No' to. At a certain point, we did n't even have to ask. And then, one day, you walked away; just like that...'' He rolled the ice around the bottom of the glass he held for a moment. 
 
 `` I've been keeping tabs. Things have been rough. You've suffered some losses at home I hear? Sorry to hear that. Really.'' 
 
 `` Yeah, well... It is what it is.'' Sam remarked suddenly in earnest. `` Thought I was just the errand boy, considering I owe you money.'' There it was. That calculating thought pattern they'd all grown to respect. 
 
 `` Not anymore. You've helped this company immensely.'' 
 
 `` Quit playing with me man. The shit ai n't funny any more. I fuckin' ruined my life! I should n't have ever done anything for you.'' 
 
 Sam estimated the horrors they'd put him through over the years, `` You should've charged me, or broke my legs, or whatever. This shit is n't worth dying over. Student loans or not. Go talk to L or Noah; they're more cut out for the shit you need.'' 
 
 `` You guys shot your way out of a methlab trailer park in Kentucky to get my daughter back.'' Phoenix noted, `` Needless to say, I think you've earned your keep.'' 
 
 `` I... Yeah, okay, we did do that shit.'' Sam remembered, `` Holy shit...'' 
 
 `` Holy shit is right. Do you know how much we made that week?'' 
 
 `` I have n't gotten a dime of it though.'' Sam remarked, `` I mean damn! If your gon na' rip me off, at least tell me at some point.'' 
 
 `` Look at the tablet.'' Phoenix said as he scooted it over. He watched Sam's eyes widen. Horror, then joy. Then horror again, followed by apprehension. 
 
 `` The hell's this?'' Sam stammered in shock. He'd never seen that much money, let alone expected to see it under his name. 
 
 `` The account is clean, do n't worry. Zoey had it setup when you left. It's just collecting interest, and well; its your cut. You've made capital and erased your debts along the way. So there's that too.'' Phoenix concluded. 
 
 `` I do n't know what to say.'' Sam muttered in disbelief, `` Thanks. Thank you.'' 
 
 `` No problem. Least we could do.'' Phoenix admitted as he produced a folder. `` Although, we've got more things to do. Since you're here, I know a couple of people who need to be reminded who runs this patch.'' 
 
 Sam lit a cigarette and pushed the tablet back for a moment. 
 
 `` So who's car we taking?'' He sighed complacently. 
 
 `` Depends really,'' Phoenix dismissed, `` you know how to use a grenade launcher?'' 
 
 `` We have one of those?''
