The Mantis

The Eyes

    Mark was in another limo with the two men. He was looking at the pair wondering what they looked like behind the wrap around sunglasses they wore. The pair looked at Mark right after he thought this and he got the feeling there was something special about the two. The rest of the trip Mark sat in complete silence trying to figure out where they were going.
    The limo stopped outside of an extremely tall building that had a winged bug above the door to the lobby. Mark asked the two what the deal was with the bug. They replied simultaneously,"The praying mantis is the embodiment of the cooperation." Mark was a little freaked out by the pair speaking together without missing a beat but brushed it off because of what they did to help him today.
    The trio rode the elevator up to the top level and entered a floor with lustrous black marble floors and a stark white ceiling. The floor was very spacious with many offices decorated, from what he could tell, by the occupant of each. At the very end of the hallway were two large black metal doors with the mantis adorning the center of each door. Each mantis was traced in gold. The two men stood up at the center of each door and place their hand on the mantis which instantly lit up in a myriad of gold and silver light. Sitting on the other side of the doors was a large mahogany desk set atop a raised disk in he center of the room. Behind the large desk was a man in a navy three piece suit. The man had blond hair the color of beach sand and his eyes were the color of emeralds. There was something off putting about his unusual eyes. He was middle aged with a slight ancient look to his presence. The man stood up and seemingly floated down to the three men. He waved the men away and Mark was just standing there awkwardly. The man finally broke the silence with his silky voice with these words,"Would you like a drink?"
Mark replied,"No thanks. So... What is this place and why am I here? What's your name?"
"How silly of me. My name is Charles Leat. I am the owner of this operation."
"But why am I here?", Mark asked with a hint of annoyance. Charles looked down with a smile and his eyes lit up with a delighted light.
"You are the Mantis." Charles exclaimed with great enthusiasm. Mark was puzzled and tried to make sense of what this man was saying.
He asked,"What is the Mantis?"
Charles replied with a concerned tone,"The one who is of great skill in most things. Is that not you?" Mark had no response. He just sat there with no idea what was happening.        Suddenly the two men from earlier came in and rushed over to Charles. They had a letter with an old wax seal on it. When Charles saw the letter his face looked pale and his emerald eyes dulled to a dark forest green. The three men had a quiet conversation and Charles looked worried. Charles opened the letter and looked like he was next in line at the chopping block.
Charles rushed over to Mark where he bowed deeply and apologized for have to leave on such short notice. After that he ran from the room and down to the elevators. The other two men asked for Mark to follow them to his suite in the penthouse. Mark was told to stay in the suite until someone came to get him.