The Mystery Man - Trade Wars, Secrets, and Monsters
CHAPTER THREE: I must return to the den of shape-shifting monsters, with a message of deceit. Will they discover my treachery?
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Chapter Three: The Mystery Man
The plan
I dreamed of things that crawl under the surface, with eyes stalking my every move, as a knock on the door jolted my heartbeat. “It’s time,” a voice echoed from the other side. Entering the dreaded Control Room, I noticed a new face, lurking behind the red and blue lights. I distrusted his eerie smile.
“Before you say anything - and with all due respect, sir - there’s no way I’m going back,” I proclaimed to the President.
“I’m afraid that’s not an option, son,” the President answered.
“You’re going. Deal with it,” the General added.
“No! You can’t make me go back there!” I shrieked.
“Wrong. I can and I will,” the General threatened. “Muster the courage, son.”
The third man in the room stepped into the light and squatted in front of me, placing his hands onto mine. I noticed scarred knuckles. No pencil pusher, this one. “I know you’re afraid. You’re right to be, but you’re not alone. Trust that we know what we are doing.”
“Trust you? I don’t know you!” I replied. “Is that an American accent? You’ve got to be kidding me!”
“Listen to what he has to say, Michael. That’s an order!” instructed the President.
“Who are you?” I inquired.
“My name is not important. I’m part of a joint Task Force tracking and hunting down the people you met,” he answered.
“You know those fucking creatures?” I asked.
“I’m the man who hunts what haunts your nightmares,” he replied.
“What the hell are they?”
“That’s classified.”
“Either you tell me, or you can go fuck yourself!”
“Michael!” the President intervened.
“It’s fine,” the shadowy spook, playing Demon Hunter, replied. “It’s not an easy thing to realize that monsters are real. It’s even harder to know you must infiltrate their lair after they threatened your life. Michael here is a brave soul, and I know he will help us do the right thing. Won’t you?”
“What are they?” I repeated.
“They’re the ones running the world behind the curtains,” he offered, but I wasn’t taking. “They’re everywhere, and nowhere.”
“I didn’t ask who they are, but WHAT are they?!” I was adamant.
“They are the enemy, Michael. Our shared foe.”
“You’re not answering my question.”
“All I can say is that you know what you saw,” he confirmed my observations. It wasn’t just a nightmare, after all. They were real.
“So fucking shape shifters, aliens, demons, what?”
“The villains you will help us destroy.”
“Destroy?” I looked at the President and the General in turn. “What exactly is this mission?”
“That’s classified as well,” the American said.
“Go to hell! I’m the one risking my life here, not you!” I said, shoving my finger into his chest.
“Calm down, Michael,” the President intervened. “We can’t tell you the details in case they interrogate you.”
“Interrogate? You mean torture?!” I panicked.
“All men break, Michael,” the General added. “It’s best that you know as little as possible.”
“That’s enough,” the American warned. “Mind your every word. They have ways of prying your mind open.”
“So, he’s in charge now? The American, sent by the man who put us into this mess in the first place? Have you lost your minds?”
“Watch your tongue, young man,” the General warned.
“You are throwing me to the wolves, and won’t even bother telling me why. No need. I’m an expendable pawn, no one would miss, right?” I hissed.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” the President assured. “You are indispensable to this government, the plan, and to me, god damnit! We will do everything possible to bring you back safely. That’s a promise.”
“You can’t promise that. You don’t even know where I’m going.” I replied.
“That’s where you come in,” the General said.
“Is that what we’re doing - tracking?” I grilled.
“Need to know!” the American insisted. I fucking need to know!
“You are still my voice in front of that commission. You are to deliver my answer,” the President answered.
“Which is?”
“We accept the invitation,” he answered.
“I’m sorry, what?” My jaw dropped to the floor.
“Welcome to the spy world, Michael. A world of doublecrossing and deception,” the American laughed.
“Look, guys, I’m not your man. I’m no hero! I don’t have what it takes. Send someone else,” I pleaded.
“It has to be you. If we change anything, they’ll know something is up,” the General explained.
“Listen to me! You can do this,” the American said. “You won’t be alone in there. We have your back.”
“Do you, now? Let me guess - need to know?” I smirked.
It was clear that I wasn’t going to avoid going back. Resistance was futile. So I switched strategy.
“Mr President, I’m risking my life here. Against my will, I might add. Give me something to fight for, to help with courage,” I bargained.
“Don’t push it,” the General threatened.
“Or what? You’ll imprison me? Kill me? You have no leverage,” I replied.
“What do you want?” the President responded. “A promotion?”
“We’re way past that, sir. I want fuck-you-money!”
“Language!” the General intervened.
“I like this kid,” the spook said, entertained. “For what it’s worth, I think he deserves it.”
“I can’t give you money. That’s not how governments work,” the President objected.
“Oh, I’m sure the General can find ten million in his black budget somewhere. We’re fighting the Devil, after all. It’s life and death, as you said. Figure it out. I want it in writing before I leave. If I survive this shit, I want to retire on a beach somewhere, and drink myself stupid to forget those who lurk in the shadows.”
“Good luck with that,” the American smirked. “It never worked for me.”
A nurse walked through the door and squirted air from the glowing needle in her hand. “Ah, yes. Right on time, the American commented. “Here’s our brave soldier,” pointing at me.
“What’s that for?” My eyes widened.
“Don’t worry about it. Think of it as the antidote,” the American with no name joked.
“That’s not funny.”
“Top Secret stuff,” he said. “Just take it. It’s imperative to the mission.”
The needle stings as the undisclosed substance burns my veins.
“This had better be worth it!” I growl.
“Remember, Michael,” the spook instructed, “Keep your focus on what we want them to know. Convince yourself of our intentions to join them, and they will believe you. Purge your mind of other thoughts.”
“That’s it? That’s all you’re giving me?”
“Don’t worry, you’ll do fine. Deliver the message, and we’ll take care of the rest. See you soon!”
I was glad to sign the deal, the fool that I am. They caved to my demands too easily, no doubt, expecting my demise. In the blacked-out car, returning to the monster's den, I wonder if my driver is human or a mind-reading fiend. Will an escaped thought seal my fate? Time to brush up on my bluffing skills.
To be continued… (expect the next chapter in 7 days)
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The Belly of the Beast - Trade Wars, Secrets, and Monsters
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