The Extraordinary Game

By Bennie Hiddlesworth

Alannah Martinson has the ability to read people and know what theyd like just by watching them. When this skill is noticed by the leader of a crime syndicate, he vows to bring her into his world, catching the attention of investigators. Alannah has to choose between doing whats right and doing what she feels is right, watching herself change in the process. Will she choose, or will this life choose for her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Apr 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781499096439

Bennie Hiddlesworth

Bennie was born in Stafford, England, and started her writing life posting her creations online. She grew up with books like The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and Chronicles of Narnia read to her, giving her a fascination in fiction novels. As she got older, she got more interested in works like Sherlock Holmes and Skullduggery Pleasant, bringing her fascination into the crime and thriller world of writing. Even from a young age she would create stories, writing them down, and now with help through the internet, she has built the courage to become a true author.

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Copyright © 2015 by Bennie Hiddlesworth.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 04/08/2015

Xlibris

800-056-3182

www.Xlibrispublishing.co.uk

704169

CONTENTS

Chapter 1     Unexpected Contact

Chapter 2     Beginning of the Real Game

Chapter 3     First Step of Change

Chapter 4     A Change of Address

Chapter 5     Strong Fights

Chapter 6     Eye into the Soul

Chapter 7     Drastic Change

Chapter 8     Trails of Pain

Chapter 9     Intense Investigations

Chapter 10   False World

CHAPTER ONE

UNEXPECTED CONTACT

W hen I had set off from home that day I had never expected anything new or strange to happen. I went to the book-store I owned. There were three levels to the shop, a ground floor where the entrance, with a small bell hung on the door, was by three bookshelves filled with a wide range of Non-fiction books with the desk and till opposite. Then there were a few steps which led to the next level of the ground floor, only slightly raised, with about ten shelves, three at the walls and four in the middle in pairs with their backs to each pair. These held the majority of the fiction books, all put into their main genre order ranging from poems to large novels and children’s books on the lower shelves. At the far end of the shop was a small, wooden, spiral staircase that led to the small first floor where there were five shelves filled with the older works and limited edition books that were more expensive or very old. All the bookshelves were made of oak painted in a dark gloss.

The shop looked like an old, small library with wooden floors, steps and dull green wallpaper on the walls. Two metal lights hung from the ceiling looking like small chandeliers while on the walls between a few bookshelves were pairs of lights on U-shaped stands giving more light to the books. Everything had an old, loved feeling with the smell of old book lingering on the air. Something I felt homely in.

My desk was made in the same style as the bookshelves and had a beautiful old looking cash register looking like it belonged to the Victorian era but modernised to be used with electricity and softer buttons. It was beautiful, golden coloured that glistened in the sunlight, ivy moulding climbed up the sides and around the front, it looked beautiful with a small oval with roses cast into the metal as a final decoration.

I unlocked the door making the small bell chime, flipped the sign round to open and took a look round the shelves replacing any empty spots before cleaning the floor, shelves even the tops, desk and anything I thought needed tidying. Once everything was clean I took my place at the till and began reading the book I was going through waiting for that tell-tale sound of a customer.

I was a very stereotypical ‘book-worm’ suiting the name very well. My chest length, chocolate hair was tied back into a high ponytail, coming to my shoulders even tied up; purple-ish glasses perched on my nose and ears glazing over hazel eyes. I wore a black blouse with faint stripes down them and black trousers with plain black shoes to complete the business-like appearance. I gained that ‘mousey’ shy look of a typical bookworm with my nose buried in a book. I almost seemed like a teenager even though I was in my late twenties.

The shop was very quiet, which I expected from a Wednesday, so I had chance to read through a couple of chapters before getting a little bored and took a small wander around the shop checking the older books to make sure they were okay. It was one of my favourite places in the whole bookshop, quieter and a little more peaceful with books that were decades old. I sat in peace for a moment relaxing surrounded by the thing I loved before hearing my phone buzzing on the counter.

I rushed down to see a text had been sent to me. I looked at the number not recognising it from anywhere and opened the text.

Enjoying your quiet day Alannah Martinson? - Unknown

I got a sudden chill down my spine reading the text. I looked round instantly looking out the window to anyone that could be watching from outside but there was no one looking my way. I couldn’t see anyone around that might have sent that text. It puzzled me greatly anyone would send me something like that. Suddenly my phone buzzed in my hand causing me to jump.

You won’t see me dear, trust me. - Unknown

The chill sent down my body made me shudder again. They could see me, they knew everything I was doing, even that I was now looking out the window desperately searching for them even though they had told me I couldn’t see them.

Who are you? What do you want with me? - Me

I took another look round tensing when I heard the bell on my door chime. It caught my attention for a moment as I looked over to him seeing him scour the books before feeling my phone buzz in my hand again. I tensed looking down to it slowly.

I told you, you wouldn’t. As for who I am, that doesn’t matter however what I want is. I want to test you, see what you can do. I will send a few customers your way and I want to see how you do. - Unknown

I was known for being able to pick out what books people would enjoy, I could tell what suited a person by looking at them, watching them, seeing which books they looked at and held onto the longest. It was something I had learned to do when I had first bought the shop to help sales and after plenty of practice I could get it right every time. This seemed to be what my ‘test’ was going to focus on.

Why would you test me? What are you looking for? - Me

Because I want to see if you’re as good as I heard, and if those skills would be useful. Now get to it, you wouldn’t like to anger me. Death doesn’t bargain. -Unknown

Those last few words made my stomach flip. I felt nervousness spike through my body and fear just what this stranger could do to me if I got him angry. I didn’t want to test it. I had seen reports of murders and crime increase and it terrified me thinking they might be able to do the exact same.

I turned my attention to the customer now watching him. I watched every movement making sure to focus on my skill; to try and please whoever this stranger was that wanted to test me. I looked at every detail of this older man from his suit and tie to his salt and peppered hair, his grey, aged eyes to his worn hands. He held a few books in his hands looking between each one before putting the odd one back before picking up more books. I watched him carefully before looking over and picking up a few books and scanning them quickly before taking them over to this strange man.

Sir? I think you might like these. They are a sci-fi wonder. If you don’t enjoy them then you’re more than welcome to bring them back or swap them for any other. He took the books from my hands and looked over them humming softly before reading the first couple of pages.

Suddenly the sound of the book being shut fast seemed to echo. I was nervous now, scared if I got it wrong that this stranger would send someone after me. I didn’t understand why they had chosen me but they had; and it seemed I had no way out of it. It all felt so sudden to be trapped in my own shop, my own dream world that was twisting into a fearful nightmare because of a few strange texts sent to me. I could feel my stomach knot as he looked over to me straight-faced before smiling softly.

I’ll take it, thank you. How did you know I’d like this one? He looked to me surprised and puzzled as we walked to the counter where I rung up the price and placed the book in a paper bag.

It’s just something I’ve learned is all. If there’s anything else I can do just let me know.

Oh no there’s nothing. Thank you for the help you gave me. I’ve been looking for something new. He handed over the money and took his book smiling and waving me off as I sat there looking back down at my phone as it buzzed.

Very well done Miss Martinson. However it’s not over yet, you have two more to impress me with. Good luck, you’ll need it. - Unknown

I just sat there staring at the words on the screen feeling my stomach twist and knot. I sat there silently a little lost in this strange game that seemed to be going against me. I didn’t know who he sent, whether they were people I knew or if they were just random strangers. I was nervous whenever I heard that bell go on my door, not wanting to upset this stranger in case they would hunt me down and harm me.

Every person that came into the store there after worried me. Every bell chime sent chills down my spine. I watched each person and helped each one without hearing anything. I had a rush of customers from twelve till two and served everyone as best I could before relaxing back down in my seat at the cash register. I was nervous, I hadn’t heard anything for hours and I couldn’t tell if I had angered them or pleased them with what I’d done. The customers thinned out and became more staggered as I slowly began to relax again.

I sat there a moment and just stared at my phone before looking out of the window wondering just where the stranger could have been sitting when I got those messages. The fact someone could see me so easily yet I could not see them on such a busy road bothered me. My shop was by a main street, with other shops, cafés, restaurants and even boutiques. I could see into most of the shops around and thought it odd that I couldn’t see any trace of anyone watching me.

As it drew on to late afternoon I began to worry more and more now that I hadn’t heard anything from the stranger. I went back to cleaning the shop, sweeping up anything that had been brought into the shop and putting it into the bin, cleaning the shelves and even went back to reading my book hoping to calm my nerves and settle my agitated stomach. Suddenly the phone buzzed loudly making me jump; pulling me out of my thoughts and away from my book. I hesitated, too afraid to look at the message that could mean I’ve angered the faceless person. It suddenly buzzes again making me now reach out for it.

You’ve done well, maybe I do have use for you – Unknown

Don’t just ignore me, otherwise my pride will turn against you – Unknown

I felt my heart skip a beat and quickly tried to think of a reply. If he was still around, still watching me, then I couldn’t lie and say I was busy; I had to be honest with them but try to be strong at the same time. I looked to the text one last time before typing my answer.

You caught me off guard. I didn’t hear anything. I didn’t expect it to be you, I thought I’d angered you – Me

Don’t be foolish, so far you have done very little to anger me. - Unknown

I am impressed with what you have proven to me. I think you will be very useful if trained in the right way. - Unknown

Trained in what way? What is all this for? - Me

Again there was a silence, no reply, no buzz, nothing. Had I pushed too far? Would they even tell me? It worried me as the day once again seemed to drag on past closing time where I did one final clean, checked shelves and took out the money from the till leaving some change before locking the rest away in a secure safe hidden from view to pay in when I had chance. I stepped out to the darkening streets as the late winter night began to drag on everything feeling much later than it should do. The silence from the stranger that had been messaging me all day made me feel nervous and I couldn’t help checking my phone over and over again worried. By the time I got home I had still heard nothing and I felt anxious about whether I had done something severely wrong.

I arrived at my apartment and stood in the doorway a moment looking over the lounge and walk-in kitchen. I still hadn’t yet calmed down, still worried about if I had done something to anger the stranger. I walked over and sat down on the couch and flicked on the television hung on the pale wall between the two bookshelves filled to the brim. The shelves were the same as the ones in the shop however these books rarely changed or altered. The sofa was a deep burgundy and the floor was wood laminate with a soft, cream, rolled-out carpet under the couch. Below the flat-screen was a shelf with the satellite box, DVD player and DVD’s.

The open plan kitchen was black and white