Chapter 111

wrap "So, like, how many years do I gotta be stuck in this mess to clear my dad's debt?" Fred asked, trying to his head around the situation.

"25 years," the guy replied without missing a beat.

Fred shifted his gaze toward his dad, a whirlwind of thoughts swirling in his mind. Questions about the hefty sum owed danced on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back, opting for silence instead. As he pondered the situation, he couldn't help but crunch the numbers in his head. At just fifteen years old, he stood at the cusp of a journey that would tie him down for a quarter of a century. With a quick mental calculation, he projected himself forward in time, realizing with a sinking feeling that by the time this ordeal reached its conclusion, he'd only be pushing forty. The weight of the commitment settled heavily on his young shoulders, a stark reminder of the sacrifices that lay ahead.

"Alright, I'm down with that. S