A Malevolent Manner (Patrick Pierce #1)

by William Scott

Pierce awoke in a confused daze, his mind slowly trying to make sense of scattered memories and sore muscles. But it was the continued darkness that caused him the most anxiety.

  After a few minutes of slow breathing and blinking he finally realized that his vision was not impaired, but that the lights were off and the blinds drawn. As his eyes began to adjust to the darkness, two forms began to take shape in front him. Clad in black, they had blended into the darkness of the wall when he first came to. When they finally became clear he realized they were the intruders he had incapacitated earlier. Both were young looking, athletic, and wearing their long black uniform-like jackets. If it weren’t for their illegal entry and confinement, he would have thought they were military types.

  Now fully coherent, he began piecing together his situation. He was sitting on one of his dining room armchairs, facing the darkness of his living room. Strangely his hands and feet were not bound. Looking to his right he saw nothing down the hall towards his room.

  Drawn by movement to his left, Pierce turned to watch one of the intruders leave his vigil in the living room and approach the previously unseen third intruder staring out of an opening in the balcony door blinds.

  Seeing this third person, Pierce remembered how his triumphant victory over the first two had been negated by the mysterious appearance of the third. Although dressed similarly to the other two, this one had the bearing of leadership. He stood motionless with his hands clasped firmly behind his back as the one guard leaned towards him and muttered some inaudible information. Offering a single nod in response the leader turned slowly from the window, offering Pierce with the first view of his assailant.

  Comparing the guard to the leader he found that they were not only dressed similarly, but completely identical. His initial impression of the military was further influenced by the metal symbols that the leader alone wore on his lapels. However, no military uniform he had ever seen looked like the clothes they were wearing. His voice however, had the tone of one that was used to being obeyed; strong, confident, and deliberate.

  “Very impressive Mr. Pierce. You gave my men quite a hard time, which is very uncommon. I can understand why you’ve been chosen. Brute force is often not enough. One must rely upon skill and resourcefulness.”

  This last word was uttered while lifting the damaged coffee table book from the dining room table. Looking at it the leader allowed himself a small smile.

  “You will notice that you have not been bound to the chair you now occupy. This should be a sign to you that we don’t wish to harm you.” At this Pierce rubbed his side in a mock salute. The leader continued, “if you do not believe that, then allow the absence of any bindings to be a sign that we will do what we wish, whether you are bound or not.”

  “Listen, there must be some mistake,” Pierce mumbled with wide eyes. “Who are you guys?”

  “Who we are does not concern you at this time. Sufficed to say we are part of a group that has an interest in you. Earlier today,” pausing to pull out a pocket watch, he restated the time, “that is yesterday, you received a letter. You needn’t deny this, as its presence is beyond debate. We took it from your jacket.”

  Nodding towards the dining room table, the leader motioned for Pierce to observe its presence. It was indeed there, though Pierce was now just as confused as the first time he had laid eyes upon it.

  “What we need to know is whether you intend to keep the appointment as stated on the back of the card.”

  “I wasn’t really sure to be honest,” replied Pierce, returning the gaze of the leader, hoping to project his honesty.

  “Hmm,” ruminated the leader for a moment. “Either way, I shall deliver our message. This invitation is like a wormed hook to a trout. Bluntly, it is a trap. The group that wish to meet with you are evil. They will make you offers that seem impossible, however they will deliver them. To your everlasting detriment.” This last sentence was uttered in such a quiet, forceful fashion, that Pierce couldn’t help but feel the danger involved.

  “But who are they?” inquired Pierce, now totally out of his depth, not really sure if he would understand the answer.

  “There is no way for me to describe to you in any way that you might understand. My suggestion to you is to not even show up at the address written down. If you indeed keep the appointment, keep my warning in mind. If you are foolish enough to accept their offer, you and I will see each other again, to your dismay.

  With the threat offered, the leader turned and left towards the front door with his minions following. Pierce was left watching in stunned silence.