THE STRUGGLES OF A SECONDARY CON ARTIST.
Chapter 2
After another five minutes of driving and my constant head banging, Alex turned down one last lane and parked on the side of the road. The road itself was lined with cars of all sorts ranging from different colours and brands each one different to the other. "OK. Everyone out the car we are finally here." Alex said as he unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door to the driver seat letting himself out of the stuffy car. Jane jumped out of her seat after she unbuckled her seat belt, giggling as she did so. I then proceeded to get out of the car myself, shutting the car door behind me before coming face to face with both Alex and Jane. "So now that's over. What now?" I questioned Alex before sighing as Jane moved next to me, a giddy smile present on her face. "Well we are meant to meet everyone by the Fox inn at 6:25 pm." Alex then took out his phone before briefly looking at its screen. Alex then proceeded to pocket his phone before facing me and Jane once again. "Well it's already 6:15 pm so we could start heading over there. It's only a five minute walk from here so well get there on time if we go now." I gave Alex an affirming nod before he started to lead the way towards the pub to which myself and Jane followed and by follow I mean Jane dragging me along the pavement by my shirt collar.
After being dragged for five minutes by an over exited and giddy Jane we finally reached the Fox inn. The pub itself looked to be reasonably new judging by the marble white exterior of the building as well as the new red tinted roof tiles. "So this is it then." I said admiring the pub, taking notice of the pubs symbol which was a grinning fox on top of what seemed to be an apartment building. "Nice little place isn't it." Alex said as he began to make his way to the door of the pub. "I suggested the location for the stag do and I'm happy about the choice if I do say so myself." Alex said with a smug look on his face before he entered through the pubs main doors which were painted an orange and red. "Well what are we waiting for Ben?" Jane said as she looked at me in the eyes, her bright green orbs staring into my leaf green ones. "I'm waiting for a life check." I mumbled to myself as Jane tilted her head to the side in confusion. Jane was about to open her mouth to reply to my mumble before I abruptly interrupted. "Come on Jane. We had better head in ourselves. Don't want to leave Alex waiting all alone by himself." Jane gave me a brief small smile before grabbing my arm and leading me through the red door and into the pub.
As soon as we entered through the pubs rusty red colored doors the smell of food and alcohol immediately flooded through my nostrils. The sounds of conversation and laughter filled my ears as well as the familiar sound of cutlery coming into contact with plates. "I can see Alex." Jane said to me as she pointed to a large wooden table at the back of the pub. The table itself looked to be made out of oak and it was situated on its own as there were no tables near its vicinity. The table was also positioned directly opposite a stage of sorts which I guessed was used for bands to play for the guests. "Well." I said to Jane in a tired voice. "We had better go and grab a seat before anyone else arrives." Jane nodded her head at me in response before she grasped my hand once again and led me to the table where Alex was situated. Jane seated herself on one of the chairs opposite Alex before patting on the chair next to her while facing myself. I let out a small annoyed sigh as I seated myself next to Jane the giant smile ever so present on her face.
"So Alex." I said as I picked up a menu which was situated on the table. "Who is this stag do meant for?" Alex looked at me with a raised eyebrow as I continued. "I mean I dint tell the family where I live so you must have gone out of your way just to find me and bring me here." Alex let out a long sigh as he put his hands on his forehead. "You know Ben. I wasn't the only one trying to find you. Mum and Dad have been asking and looking for you too. There worried Ben. Heck the whole families worried." Alex then lifted his head up and looked at me directly in the eyes as if waiting for me to answer. After a minute Alex realized I wasn't going to answer so he continued speaking. "Look Ben they just want to know how you're getting on and if you have a good honest job to pay for things." I was starting to panic a bit as Alex had just asked me what job I have and how I was doing. I mean I was personally doing fine but my job really wasn't honest work. I didn't really care but my family did and they all believed that people like con artist were all untrustworthy, sneaky and bad. I mean there not far off but not all con artists are bad. I mean I'm a con artist….even though they don't know.
Alex's facial features began to change into one of curiosity as he looked at me with suspicion evident in his eyes and face. "What job do you have Ben?" I gulped and tried to hide the worry behind one of my classic smiles but just before I could make up another lie to keep my secret safe I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned round and came into view of the person who had just tapped me on the shoulder. I looked tiredly at the towering behemoth that was Dave. "Dave." I sighed in frustration as Dave looked at me with worry in his eyes which was very rare. "What the hell are you doing here?" I questioned Dave as he began to look around the pub suspiciously before speaking. "Its work related." My mood flipped in an instant as I realized that Dave wasn't joking. Heck he had gone all of this way just to tell me something. "Alright Dave just wait outside I'll be there in a minute. Dave just gave a small nod before dragging his giant body out of the pub leaving a surprised Jane and an angry looking Alex. "Well." I said plastering on a fake grin to hide my concern. "Work is calling me and it seems my colleague is in need of my help." Alex continued his glare but Jane's face began to lose it happiness as I continued talking. "Terribly sorry about this Alex but I have to go when works calling me. Tell me how the evening works out though." I was about to turn and leave before I heard Jane speak. "Be careful Ben." I looked towards Jane and I could clearly see the worry and sadness on her face as well as n her voice. "Uh….yeah of course Jane it's only work." I didn't know how to react as I had never seen Jane like this before. To be honest it worried me. "I'll be sure to tell you how good the stag do is Ben don't worry. And if it's only a work issue then Jane can stay here if she wants to?" I looked once again towards Jane and she nodded in confirmation. "Well." I said giving one of my classic sly smiles. "I'll be off then. Oh and Alex." I said to which he waved his hand for me to continue. "Look after Jane. She tends to be a bit weird when she meets new people." Alex smiled before giving me thumbs up as I turned round and headed towards the pubs red door and outside to meet Dave.
When I arrived outside the pub the sun was just starting to set making the sky go a hazy orange. I took a deep breathe in and then let it out slowly as I looked around for Dave. It wasn't long before I heard the sound of a vehicle approaching the outside of the pub and soon enough Dave appeared driving the white van that we were using today. He stopped the van which gave of an audible screech and crunch as it stopped. I let out a small chuckle as I began to approach the white van as its engine continued to run as if ready to go straight away. I opened the door to the passenger side of the van before hopping in and closing the door. As soon as I was strapped in Dave began to drive off and away from the pub, his eyes focused solely on the road. "So what's the problem Dave?" I asked as I turned my head to face him. "It's bad Ben." Dave said as he kept his eyes focused solely on the road. I let out a long sigh before letting a sad smile appear on my face. "What is it this time? Identity discovered or ratted out come on Dave we've had it all what could be worse?"
Dave's face took on a dark look before he spoke once again to me. "He's asked for you Ben. James asked for you personally. You do know what that means don't you." I tried to hide my fear behind a sly smile but I couldn't do it. Not this time. "Yes Dave. I know what it means." Dave let out a frustrated sigh before he turned down another back lane still keeping his eyes focused on the road. The road continued on straight for five more minutes before an old warn down factory came into view, its rusting factory doors and windows loomed over the van like a steel giant. Dave pulled over and parked right in front of the factory before he turned off the car's engine and took the keys out of the ignition. I sat back into the cars seat before letting out a sad sigh looking towards the old factory. I took a deep breathe in as I reached for the vans door opening it before jumping out of the van. I let out my held breath before noticing Dave reaching for his door of the van. "Dave. Not this time "I said my voice laced with regret and sadness as Dave gave me an understanding nod. I then made my way from the van and headed towards the dark looming factory whistling a small tune to myself, trying to improve my depressing mood. As I reached one of the factories main doors I heard voices inside. Voices I recognized.
I braced myself as I entered the factory expecting the worst outcome to happen as I made my way through the pitch black open space inside. It wasn't long before I heard the voice that would haunt me for a long time. The voice itself was gravely and deep and carried a malicious tone to each word that was spoken by that voice. The voice carried a feeling of fear. "Ben, Ben, Ben. It's been way too long my friend." A light flicked on in the center of the darkness, lighting up some of the factory so that the peeling paint on the walls were visible to the eye. "Hello Mr Spire." I said in a friendly but cautious tone of voice as not to upset the voice. "Come on now Ben. There's no need for formalities here." The voice said in a carefree tone. "Come here and take a seat Ben. We have much to discuss."
I nervously made my way over to the center of the factory where the light was situated and came into view of a seat which was positioned directly under the light. I made my way over to the seat and sat down. "So it's unfortunately come to this Ben my dear friend." The voice said gaining a biter tone. "I really didn't want it to come to this but you've left me with no choice." I began to get worried as the voice grew in anger and malicious intent. Before I could reply to the voice a solid object collided with the side of my face causing me to yell in pain. Again and again hard objects like metal poles and sticks were smashed across my face each one of them causing me to cry out in pain. The assault seemed to go on forever until there was silence. I wheezed and coughed as the voice spoke once again; the only intent in the voice now was death and evil.
"I've given you too many chances you sly fox. And there's only one way to deal with sly animals like you." I heard a clicking sound before the sound of footsteps seemed to approach me from the front. I felt a cold steel pressure on my forehead as I lifted my head up to see that was in front of me. The man in my view was tall and skinny. His hair was slicked back with gel and he wore a black suit with a white tie. But it was his eyes that sent a chill down my spine. His eyes were as blue as the sea and as cold as ice. There was no emotion behind them as he looked at me. "Oh my Mr Sherwood you do look quit the mess." I glared at him before spitting at his face to which he simply smirked, his white teeth gleaming. "That was not a clever move mister Sherwood. Not a clever move indeed." I felt the cold steel pressure on my head increase as Mr Spire whispered one last thing to me. "Any last words Mr Sherwood?" I smiled before speaking. "Con artists like me don't belong here." And with that there was darkness.