Timothy Bellows eased his truck to a stop in front of 3426 Abernathy Way. He checked the address on the package to make sure he was at the right house, then grabbed it and exited his vehicle. He looked in the window of his truck to see his shirt was straight and neatly pressed. He glanced down to see he had a nice, crisp crease going down each pant leg. He smiled, then made his way to the door of the residence. He adjusted his hat as he neared, and once on the front porch he rang the bell. It took about twenty seconds, but someone finally answered.
The woman was a diminutive thing, five-two at the most, with long grey hair and a face that suggested she was quite the good-looking woman back in the day. She smiled as she opened the screen door. "If you'll just set it on my table, please."
"We're really cautioned about entering a person's domicile, Ma'am," the delivery person said.
"I'm afraid I'm too frail to carry it in by myself," Christine McKenzie said with a sad look on her face.
Timothy Bellows sighed, then said, "Okay, ma'am. Just tell me where you want it."
"Follow me," Christine said as she led him to the living room, and once reaching it she pointed at the coffee table and said, "Just leave it right there. I'll back shortly."
"If you could just sign for this, ma'am, I'll be on my way."
"I'm looking for my change purse to give you a tip," Christine shouted back.
"That's not necessary," Timothy said. "Just sign for the package and I'll--"
"Found it!" Christine hollered, but then nothing. The house grew silent.
Timothy looked here and there but saw nothing nor did he hear movement of any kind. Just then a board creaked behind him. He made to turn around but felt something strike the back of his head. There was a resounding **THWACK** that filled the air, and the next moment Timothy had crumpled from his seat and was lying on the floor.
Timothy made to open his eyes, but they were immediately assaulted by the eleven-a.m. sun shining through a window. He tried to move his arms, but they wouldn't budge. He looked up to see his wrists were zip-tied to the coffee table. He tried his legs, and a quick inspection found them zip-tied to the legs of the love seat. He was lying naked and spread eagle on the floor. He caught movement out the corner of his left eye.
"You can struggle all you want," Christine told him, "but you won't be getting free any time soon."