Total Consciousness

Chapter-3: A Pledge Accepted

     “Excellent, let us move,” said the attendant/guide-walker. “Follow behind me and remember my instructions, pledge. Oh, one more thing, pledge, there is a most severe punishment should you … remove your blindfold once we reach the main hall. Be warned. Do not, for whatever cause, do not remove this blindfold. This is not a game. The members of this club are dead serious about these rules. Please, do not test them, pledge.” The attendant tugged on the chain and guided Patricio through another grey door. The door clicked shut, and the guide-walker stopped.

     “Oh, right, right … my apologies, pledge, I am forgetting your punishment. Please raise your hands in front of you. Good, good, now prepare for judgment, sentence and punishment. For delaying entry, the pledge must receive three slugs to one hand.”

     Sweat dripped down the side of Patricio’s red face. Rage boiled within him, and he complied with opening his left hand. Quick, quick, quick, three hits from a thick ruler landed on Patricio’s hand. Each slug made a loud smack that echoed in the grey room. He winced at the sting and heat delivered to his hand. A stellar burst of shame and resentment reverberated in Patricio’s chest. Beyond bloodlust, he breathed heavily through his nose as he clenched his teeth tight.

     “Right, well done pledge … wait for me here as you are. I must clear the way forward before we advance.” The attendant left.

     Once more, alone with his thoughts, blindfolded and restrained, Patricio waited six minutes before the guide walker returned. Three quick tugs on Patricio’s collar and the two men moved forward.

     Several rooms later and after much deviant contemplation coursing in Patricio’s mind, the guide-walker and Pledge stepped into a warm room. Music, laughter and exotic perfumes mixed in the air with the strong choke of cigar smoke. To his left, Patricio heard a woman in heels dancing on a wooden stage while some men cheered and whistled. To his right, he heard several men placing bets at a roulette wheel. And, farther ahead, off to the side, Patricio heard women ordering drinks.

     “Well-done, pledge, we are almost there,” said the guide walker. He reached out and patted The Pledge on his head three times. Patricio choked and flinched back with embarrassment.

     Familiar voices in conversations drifted all around Patricio; but one voice gripped his hatred the most, Marco Riego.

     “Here we are Pledge.” The eager guide walker tugged once on Patricio’s chain and collar and smiled. “His Worship Marco is to your left. Go on, now, speak your message.”

     “Marco, I …” a quick hard yank choked Patricio to a stop. The laughter of two familiar men erupted around Marco.

     “No … No, pledge, we discussed this, try again,” said the embarrassed guide walker. “We must remember proper decorum.”

     Patricio struggled to hold his composure as he tried again:    “Your Worship, Marco … this pledge … this pledge, has a message from Diego Guerrero. The message is: your presence in an urgent matter is required tonight. Please, return quickly to the bank as soon as possible. This is a time sensitive matter, sir.”

      Marco wiped his tears as he finished laughing. He said, “Thank you, pledge … go and wait for me at the main receiving room. I will be there in short time. Guide walker, you may leave us now.”

     “Your Worship Marco is most kind,” said the guide walker. He tugged Patricio’s collar, and they stepped away. “By your leave, gentlemen. Come, pledge, we move.”    

Thank you

     I appreciate your time in reading this blog post. Next Saturday I will upload the next part of Chapter Three: A Pledge Accepted, from my first novel: Guerrero of Passions.

     If you have an interest in learning more about my writing and philosophy of metaphysics, feel free to explore my website, totalconsciousnesses.com on WordPress.

     Also, if you should have a generous interest in supporting my writing, I currently have eight independently published books on Amazon. My top recommendations are: Luz Upon the World; How Does Free-Will Work?; How Does Studying Work?; and Consciousness: On The Origin of Life.

     Overall, I hope the free posts that I upload to this website may provide some positive utility in your life.

     Thanks again for your time.