Hello.

That’s right, look at me, focus on my face.

Now how many fingers am I holding up? Good, that’s correct. I was worried for a moment there that you might have suffered brain damage from that bump to the head; still, it seems you are alright.

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Clive and I’m here to show you a little bit of my world; I’m sure you’ll find it an interesting place. Keep still, you’ve had a nasty shock and you shouldn’t try and move, you could do yourself a mischief. That’s better.

Where are you? You’re in my home, I know it doesn’t look like much but, trust me, it’s all I need. I’m a business man you see and I like to make bargains; its like a rush for me. I’d go out into the world and buy the biggest, the most expensive and gamble it and flaunt my wealth but, in the end, it all bored me. I mean, what’s the point of having everything and being so good at having it; it just means you’ve got nothing to strive for. So I got rid of my riches, gave it all to charity, and now I live a simple life in this log cabin in the middle of my only possession left; Weston Big Woods.

Oh yes, we’re in the middle of no where, far from anyone else. That’s the beauty of this you see; it’s just the two of us in on this deal with no distractions or unforeseen events getting in the way. Just two men, each with a desire; me to find my true destiny and you, to obtain your freedom.

Don’t struggle please, those ropes are rather tight.

Anyway, where were we? Ah yes, we were discussing why I deemed it necessary to knock you unconscious and bring you out here. As I said, I enjoy bargaining, the rush, the pleasure it gives me to reach my goals and get what I seek despite what those who oppose me try to do to hinder me.

Now, I’m going to do a deal with you. I will free your hands and give you something, a puzzle. If you can solve this puzzle I will allow you to go free; if you fail I will kill you. Understand?

Don’t beg for your life, please. You have nothing I could possibly want, as I explained, I live a very simple life. All I want if for you to solve the puzzle, now do you agree to or not?

Good, I knew you’d see things my way. Here we go then, let me unbind you; don’t try anything I have a knife remember!

Here it is. Feel that surface, its hard wood, etched with brass. It may seem like a solid object at first but there is a way in and it is your task to find it. Don’t look at me like that, there’s no pressure. We have all the time in the world. Please, go ahead.

There we go, its not as hard as it looks is it? Keep your attention focused, feel the grain in the wood, sense the solution within your soul; the answer lies within you. Concentrate, let the world melt away and imagine nothing but yourself and the box; let time have no meaning. There is only a puzzle, the box, and the solution, yourself.

There! Hear that? That is the sound of success, yes, you see? It’s beginning to change, go with it, let the motions flow through you. They’re coming.

Don’t look at me damn you! Keep going, you are almost there. The light, its blinding, searing; go towards it, feel the warmth. Can you not feel your blood pumping, your heart racing to meet the demands of your body, this is it, no turning back now, the point of no return. Sweat, blood, shit and flesh, that’s all we’re made of; they’ll teach you the true meanings of being. Don’t panic, everything is alright, you are moving forward, ascending; I have delivered you to Him and now you shall taste all the pleasures of the world.

I envy you for it is not yet my time, I still have a purpose; to bring others unto Him. I bid you farewell and offer you the holy light of my Lord.

Amen.