Novels

Novellas/Short stories

Fragments

Non Fiction

The Inquisitor

It's not often that a fragment has a sequel, but when it happens it usually means that I'm going to use the fragment somewhere. With "The Inquisitor", I'm not entirely sure where it will get used. I'll keep it on the back burner for a while. Given how part 2 ends, I'm sure that there will be at least one other part to it, although perhaps no resolution...

The Inquisitor - Part 2

Darkness. I am immobile. I'm back in that room again. Captive. Bound. Helpless against him, my own private Torquemada.

He is so very good at what he does. Like all of his ilk, he already knows the answers. He doesn't ask these questions to find out novel information. No, for his kind, the game is in getting the victim to speak. To acknowledge truths that lie buried.

But he played his hand early last time. I saw his face, I know who he is, I know what he is. And that knowledge is to my advantage. He no longer has power over me. This time when I speak, I will not be afraid.

"So." I hear him, somewhere in the room behind me. Just like last time. Unlike last time, he will not have the advantage.

"I know who you are." I speak clearly, unafraid. Do your worst, mirror man. I am not afraid of mere reflections.

"Do you? Do you really? That does surprise me..." He is moving, coming around the side, standing in front of me. "Particularly since you don't even appear to know yourself."

"You have no power over me. I am not afraid of you."

"Clearly" he answers. God, I can tell he's smirking, just from the sound of his voice. "Well, since I have no power over you, you can simply release yourself, can't you..."

I struggle against the bonds that keep me held, but I am surprised to find that I don't even have the strength to do that. After a minute of frustration, I give up. Even I can hear the dejection in my voice. "Why have you brought me back here?"

"You really don't understand anything, do you? Sometimes you seem to be on the cusp of understanding it all, then you let it slip away. You were right - I have no power over you, except that which you allow. But then you foolishly said you were not afraid of me. Whereas we both know, I terrify you more than anything in this world."

I feel his presence, he has moved right beside me, his voice softer, as he whispers into my ear. "It wasn't I who brought you back here."

"Who... who brought me here then?"

The hood is pulled from me again, but the room is so dark, I cannot make anything out. I only know that he is here, now standing behind me. He leans in towards me again, to whisper into my ear.

"Don't you know?"

He walks away, and somewhere I hear a door open. Light floods in from behind me, projecting shadows on to the wall before me. Mine, squat, bound. His, tall, imposing.

"You did..."

The door slams shut, and the light is extinguished.