"What is it, Puppy?" I say sounding worried. Puppy stood in attack-ready position at the front door, his agelessly white teeth in full view. The door handle creeks slowly, and I run to grab my revolver. I've had this gun stashed away in my desk since I started living here, waiting for this day. I have only touched it a handful of times to clean around it.
The handle takes another slow turn, and the door swings open. Puppy lets out a loud roar and knocks the young man at the door down. I run up and wave my pistol at the pinned man.
"Heel, Puppy!" I yell at the beast. He retreats slowly, and the man gasps for air, grabbing onto a table leg to regain his breath. Pistol still aimed at his forehead, I slam the door.
"Who the hell are you?" I demand.
"I was a man aimed at finding the greatest trainer in recent history", he says with a cocky look on his pale face. He had on a black casino hat, a faux-leather jacket and a pair of blue jeans covering his skinny legs. He looks just like a worthless henchman to a big-time criminal in the movies.
"I intended to come and go and leave it unmarked. Unfortunately, you've attacked and threatened me, and I cannot let this go untold," he says with a smirk. I put my hand on the trigger. I truly have no intention of killing this man; I have never been one for violence.
"If you kill me now, they'll come looking for me Mr. Cassidy" He sneered. I hate this man already, like some sneaky little shit you just want to put your foot in. He reminded me more of a Linoone than even a Linoone itself. (NOTE: I am comparing the man to a Linoone, a weasel-like Pokémon).
"If you let me go, however, I'll surely inform the authorities that you've attacked me, adding to your sentence. Looks like you're stuck cooperating" he concludes. I lower the gun and throw it to the floor. Puppy growls louder than before.
"Down, Puppy" I yell. He sits, and stares at the man on the floor. I notice his nose has started to bleed, and his jacket is torn. "Sit", I say to the Linoone.
"Thank you"
"What do you want from me? Money? You know as well as I that I have plenty of that. So name your fucking price. I want you to leave here quietly." I demand.
"We'll discuss money later," he says, "but my first intention is something much more valuable than even money." I stare him down without as much as a blink.
"I am a journalist, Mr. Cassidy. What I want is your story. Short or long, I am here to hear why the great Sean Cassidy abandoned it all to do something to cause him to disappear. If you give me this information, I will leave here and no one will know where you are. I will publish my article outside the country, where I can be untouched by the law for not telling your whereabouts. All I want, Mr. Cassidy, is your story.
"Is this possible? Does this man know of the book I've been writing? How long has he been following me?" These thoughts all race through my head. I slam my elbows onto the wooden table and bury my face in my hands. I need to think. Still believing that this man is aware of my book, I give him what he wants.
"You're in luck, Mr.—", I stop.
"My name is Richard Halberd," he adds, that goddamn smirk still scratched across his face. And what a cliché name for such a time; Dick.
"You're in luck, Mr. Halberd," I continue. "In the time I've been here, I've been writing a memoir of my life."
"I know more than you think, Sean." What makes him think he can address me by my first name? I hate this man. Regardless, my suspicions have been right; this son of a bitch has been watching me for God knows how long.
"I'd let this book go public, but there's no gain for me in that, is there?" he adds.
"I've done enough in my life, Mister Halberd," I say. I make sure I say 'Mr.' as sarcastically as possible. "What makes you believe I wouldn't blow your head off right here and now? Besides, don't you think the government has much bigger problems than investigating the unfortunate disappearence of yet another journalist?" I say. That was it, his smug smile finally faded, replaced with a displeased grimace. Honestly, wiping off that smirk was the only thing I hoped to achieve by that comment.
Alas, his smirk quickly returned. Dammit, I hate him.
"I don't think you have the guts to pull the trigger, or sick your dog on me, Sean." His smirk grows wider.
"And why is that? Do you think I would write a story and have my location remain secret? No, I wouldn't. I would be revealed the second that story reached police hands. I want to pay my dues Mister Halberd." I know this is a lie, I would never reveal my location. I'm too cowardly, to be honest. Regardless, my plan works. A look of shock crosses the Linoone's face. Oh, my mistake, that look is genuine fear. I have this bastard against the ropes.
"You're lying!" he insists, through his teeth. I smile. He backs up in his chair, and Puppy growls, this time a plume of smoke seeps from his nostrils.
"I'll give you your damn story" I say finally. I almost choke on the words. I couldn't kill this man if I needed to. His smirk half-returns, slightly covered by a still lingering hint of fear.
"I knew you'd cooperate," he says, feigning confidence. I head to the bedroom and emerge with a stack of papers.
"I'll read them to you, Dick," I say. The man looked surprised and annoyed all at once. He stands and hunches over the table, hands pressed firmly against the edge. "Just give me the damn papers, Mr. Cassidy. I don't have time for your—,"
"NO!" I scream as Puppy barks loudly, not allowing him finish. "You will listen to every sentence of this story before you even think of taking it for yourself." I pick up the revolver and point it at his head again. He sits down. Puppy snickers.
I sit down as well, and slam the papers on the table, shaking it. I am only reading my story to this man to allow me time to think of a plan. I refuse to let this son of a bitch leave with my memoirs, and my location. Aside from that, it gives me a good chance to proofread before I write the final chapter. "Now, tell me what you think…"