Skulduggery Pleasant
"Blast from the past"
1
Vicious has landed
The woman stepped off the plane, a polite smile gracing her pale face as she passed the airport personnel, heading for the gate exit and all the while her hands never left her pockets, one of her fingers playing with the cork of one of the many small bottles inside.
She reached the exit, cleared the toll, and went to pick up her baggage when she suddenly spotted something. A man in his late middle age, with grey hair and beard, dressed in a dark overcoat, standing in a corner, looking like he was waiting for something, or someone.
"Could it be…" the woman whispered, hope filling her as she began walking towards the man. She reached out a shivering hand, and gently grasped his shoulder.
"Baron…?" she asked hopefully, making him turn around. But as he did, her hope was turned into disappointment, and then anger. How DARED he look like her beloved!
The man gave the stranger a puzzled look when she remained quiet after she'd turned him around. This gave him a moment to gaze at her pleasant form. She was tall, thin and so blonde her straight waist-long hair looked almost white, which contrasted beautifully against her emerald green eyes. The dark leather coat fit snugly on her body, showing it off at its best.
Another few seconds passed, and the man began to feel slightly awkward and decided to break the silence.
"Yes?" He said. The woman seemed to snap out of whatever trance she'd been in, and gave him a radiant smile.
"Oh, excuse me; I mistook you for someone else. Terribly sorry." She said, revealing with her accent that she was Scottish. The man returned her smile.
"Not to worry, that happens. People often mistake me for Kenny Rogers, and I can't say I blame them." He said with a small chuckle.
She was disgusted by him, but hid it well, a plan forming in her head as she smiled falsely at him once again. She figured he would do well replenishing her stock.
"I was looking for the ladies room, but I can't find it. Could you be soo kind to show me where it is?" she asked him sweetly. It took all of her willpower not to let her mask slip.
"Why certainly, it's right this way." He said, pointing in the direction of a lesser crowded corridor. She followed him as he led the way. But as he passed a door leading into a darkened maintenance room, he was forcefully pushed inside, the door closed after the woman and a second later a blood-chilling scream was heard. None in the busy airport heard the man's pained death cry.