Simon couldn't understand when everything had gotten so complicated. His life in general was complicated as fuck, but it seemed like since he retired, everything had collapsed on him. Or maybe he'd avoided reality for so long that now that he had no way to avoid it, all he could do was watch it all fall apart.

He sighed deeply and shook the thought away. Today would be different, and he felt it in his veins. He'd heard a group of wealthy-looking men say the race was rigged; the horse that was going to win was the number five. So he bet all his remaining money for that month on the race.

The shot that announced the start of the race brought Simon out of his thoughts. The horses had already started running, but number five was last. It chilled his blood, but he quickly recovered, telling himself it must be a strategy.

The race continued, and number five took the lead, making him breathe a sigh of relief. There were only a few meters left to the finish line when another horse matched number five's pace. Before Simon could process what was happening, he felt a cloth placed over his mouth and nose. The smell of chloroform filled his nostrils as he struggled against his attacker, eventually losing consciousness.

A loud bang woke him up. Simon felt dizzy and his body ached; his vision was blurry and his mouth dry. He was completely tied to a chair in a poorly lit warehouse. One of the debt collectors approached and grabbed him by the hair.

"Did you think you could run away from us forever, asshole?" The debt collector spat, landing a hard blow. "See that one over there? That's the boss, Silver Snake herself. And she's really pissed off because your brainless ass hasn't paid the fucking debt."

Simon gulped and spat out a bit of blood. "I-I don't have it yet... But I swear I'll pay! J-just give me a little more time."

Everyone laughed as the collector tightened his grip on Simon's hair. "Where's our money, huh? You better pay up now or I'll put a bullet between your eyes."

Against the metal wall, in the shadows, stood a silhouette whose face couldn't be seen. The debt collector pointed. "That's the boss, Silver Snake."

The silhouette slowly emerged into the light. Simon's gaze rose from the expensive clothes and shoes until it rested on Silver Snake's face. He gasped and became speechless, his eyes wide; he felt as if his heart had stopped for an instant.

It was the girl from high school - the one he and Jessica had tormented without mercy. She looked different now: intimidating, dangerous, worthy of her nickname. All the memories of the bullying came flooding back as Simon realized the tables had finally turned.