chapter 1 - the order

Charlie had moved to the area recently to start university. He knew he needed to work so he took a job as a pizza delivery boy. It didn't pay a great deal but tips were good and it would pay the bills. Charlie was young looking, with bouncy brown hair, green eyes and a clean, hairless face. He was slim but not muscular and of average height. Many would consider him attractive.

It was getting late and Charlie had nearly finished his shift. Charlie watched the big clock in the restaurant, waiting for his shift to end. 15 minutes before his sign-out time the phone rang.
Charlie listened as the order was taken. It was a big order and would take about 25 minutes to cook.
{ Great} Charlie thought {that's unpaid overtime then and i bet he won't tip}. Charlie snapped out of his thoughts when he heard his bosses voice.
"Charlie will take that on his way home, won't you lad!" Charlie's boss Malcom called out.
"Of course Sir" Charlie grimaced through a faked smile.

25 minutes later, Charlie was loading 6 pizzas and 4 side dishes into his car. The address was on the edge of town but wouldn't take long.

Charlie arrived and rang the doorbell. A voice from the intercom came out. It was a deep and commanding voice, flat of tone and measured.
"Bring them in please, up the stairs and 3rd door on the right" and the door opened.
Charlie went inside and climbed the stairs. The walls were filled with circus and theatre posters, all talking about hypnotists; mainly the same hypnotist, "The Amazing Adiposto".

Charlie reached the room he was directed to and knocked on the door.
"Come in my boy" the voice replied. It was strange how the voice entered your body, made you feel on edge and yet calm at the same time. Charlie entered the room, it was dimly lit and there was a strange musical tune playing, a figure standing at the far end.
"I have your pizzas sir" Charlie announced.
"Good, put them down there and then come to me". Charlie didn't know why but he felt obliged to do as he was asked.
Charlie walked up the the figure and stood in front of him.
"Thank your Charlie" the voice said, the tone never changing. Charlie couldn't work out how the man knew his name. This shocked him, but he felt drawn to the man, he couldn't leave.
The man turned around and looked Charlie in the eye. "Take a seat, my boy" Charlie felt all his self control drift away. He walked over and sat in the chair.
The Mysterious strangers plan seemed to be working.