"Why did you try to fight that creature?"

I attempted to casually inquire the Tall Man.

"I am invincible and indestructible. How could I not fight especially when I always win?"

"Well you didn't win this time. You lost two rounds already so the odds aren't looking too good for you".

"I always survive. I've survived through all of time and I will survive again. I cannot die at least not yet. I am somewhat immortal".

He non chalantly explained to me as if he were a lazy layed back college professor.

"Yeah sure likely story. If you can't die how come you're dying right now?"

"I never said I was dying at least not specifically.I merely stated that my strength was weakening."

"You also said something about how it might be the end for you soon. Stop with the mind games. I have a good ear and a even better memory. So just be straight forward and honest with me and I'm sure we'll both get along just fine".

"Very well if it's honesty you want then it's honesty you shall get.

You have a incredible mind. It's a pity that this mind of yours belongs only to you exclusively. You could do far better things if you gave that mind to me."

"I'd rather keep it thank you. I might need it later. So if you want a brain you can go shopping at the morgue after this is all finished. Leave my brain out of it".

"I have no need to visit any morgue.

I actually own a business. Ironically enough I run a mortuary yet you probably already knew that. Money means very little to me so naturally I keep it open for the many fresh bodies it supplies me. Some however I collect myself personally. You would be a lovely addition to my collection."

"Look when I said you could be honest I didn't mean for you to be honest about everything. I don't know what sick fantasies you have about death but it's really none of my business and I really don't wish to know about your...weird wacky fetishes. So you can keep your special Interests to yourself. I have a job to do. We have a job to do together and we need to work together so we can stay focused".

"You should take it as a compliment. I don't usually tell young women that I like them for their minds".

"Are you seriously trying to flirt with me right now?"

I stopped walking,I spun around to face him and look him squarely in the face.

"No not at all. Don't be ridiculous. I do not have time for such wasteful activities. You do not stimulate me in that way. I find my pleasure elsewhere thank you. Women hold very little interest to me. I was merely saying that it is a rare occasion that I compliment anyone let alone a grown woman".

He had a disgusted look on his face but I could tell he was faking it.

He may not be a man but he was of the male persuasion and males tend to have strong physical drives. Maybe he didn't want physical love but still one can dream of what no one will ever see and dream of things that will never come true.

I've had men undress me with their eyes. I've had guys checking me out before so I know that look that men have when you catch them looking.

I tried making a bit of conversation.

"So have you ever had someone special? I mean do you have anybody special waiting for you?"

"I have no one."

"So you've never had anyone special in your life before?"

"Physical or emotional?" he said rather robotically.

"Oh well you don't have to be specific. I was just wondering if you've ever experienced love before."

"Yet again I fail to see how that is any of your business".

"Hey I'm not trying to pry. I'm just making conversation. I'm just trying to break the ice but if I've overstepped my bounds I'll shut up".

"I did I once a very long time ago but I lost her. It was all so long ago. It's ancient history now. It's done and it's finished with. No good comes from living in the past. There is only the future."

" I suppose so. I am curious about what happened to her but i

yet again it's none of my business."

"She died from Tuberculosis during the war. I couldn't save her at the time because I was out on the field with the troops. I was their doctor."

"Oh so you're a doctor, impressive. Doctors are awesome people at least some of them are. You know what I'm going to quiet now."

I did this to avoid any further awkwardness.

"I don't see anyone special in your life either".

He laughed rather grimly.

"Okay I deserved that. I suppose it's only fair that I tell you about myself.

I used to have a special someone but he turned out to be a monster quite literally.

I found him right here in these woods actually. I thought he was a lost soul so I gave him directions and showed him the way out of here, he thanked me and like an idiot I trusted him.

I was investigating a series of murders at the time much like I am now and to make a long story short it turned out he was the murderer.

Of course I wasn't stupid enough to stay with him so we went our separate ways, I stayed here, he took off and wouldn't you know it I never saw him again. Yet you probably don't care".

"it's not in my nature to care and as far as conversation I talk very little if I can help it. I So naturally I find small talk to be both a waste of time and energy. So I have very little need of it".

"Oh I understand completely. I despise small talk. I don't care for conversation much either. People seem to be all the same these days as far as I'm concerned. They all ask the same questions, they have small imagination's and narrow minds..

Nowadays people are just a bunch of robots.

They all seem to be hooked up to technology half the time and hardly anyone has time to even do the simplest of tasks such as reading a a book.

Everything is so virtual. Books are almost obsolete and a thing of the past. Everything is designed carefully for the pure convenience of the buyer.

Everything is so phoney so fake.

I mean it's enough to drive me crazy.

One these days I wouldn't mind giving up on humanity all together.

I'd like a little cabin in the woods, somewhere deep in this forest where nobody would ever hear from me again.

Yet that's enough of my babbling".

"Did I actually hear you say that you want to give up on humanity?"

"Well a part of me does yes but I know it's just a foolish wish, a selfish dream really.

Now I don't want you getting any ideas. I just want to isolate myself from the rest of the world for awhile. Not forever mind you just for a little while. Look All I want is just peace and quiet. I enjoy my solitude. Anything wrong with that?"

"No of course not. There is something that has come to mind and that's the question of payment. What kind of payment do you require for your services?"

"I usually take money but under the circumstances I think I could settle for something else. The real question is what exactly are you willing to pay me? I'm sure you have your limits".

"No there's no limits. Tell me what is it that you desire besides money?"

"Well I already told you what I want."

"Oh that can be arranged believe me. I can give you peace,quiet, solitude and isolation if you wish."

"You're not planning on killing me again are you?"

"As tempting as that may be no I still have no intentions of killing you."

"If it requires you doing any weird experiments on me I'm not interested".

"You are really beginning to vex me. I'm not planning on anything sinister. I'm offering you a place to stay;A world of your own so to speak.

This place would be very very safe I assure you. You see I am not devoid of knowledge when it comes to modern technology so of course I've been able to develop quite a incredible security system. So I could offer you absolute security as well as a home."

"I already have a home."

"Oh yes the home with a lamp, a chair, a book case, a desk and a bed. Very classy. I'm sure you can't wait to get back".

I almost wanted to get angry at him for mocking me but then I realized it was quite true. My so called home was very sad. He must have seen the place because he described just about everything in that tiny studio apartment of mine.

" Okay I admit it's really not much of a home and it's been over 5 years since I first moved into that place and it still doesn't look very lived in and I know it's sad. Truth is I live a sad life. So you can mock me all you want but that's the truth of it. I'm not a failure,I'm not a loser, I'm just a nomad without a land."

" I wasn't asking. It was just a observation.

I do however understand if you're not...

interested".

"So this place you're sure nobody would bother me?"

"Absolutely positive."

"Where would this place be exactly?"

"Morningside Mortuary. There are several rooms available."

"You promise that you won't do any weird experiments?"

"Of course not. You have my word. No such thing shall happen unless...you wish it to".

""No thank you. I'd rather you not mess with my brain".

"Oh I wouldn't remove it if that's what you're worried about I'd only give it a few polishes, improve a few connections, rewire a few pathways. It would just be a few minor improvements. Think of of it as a upgrade".

"Yet again thanks for the offer but I'm really not interested. I like my brain just the way it is. It might not be perfect but it's good enough for me."

"Suit yourself but consider my offer.

The other offer of staying at Morningside Mortuary."

" I shall think about it."

"In the meantime we must return to the last place that creature was."

There was high pitched whirring hum that followed a silky streak of silver.

There was a silver sphere seem to materialize into his hand.

"There appears to have been another murder."

"Oh shit. Really? How do you know?"

"My little friend here just came back from the crime scene."

"Do you have any details?"

"Yes I do."

"Cause of Death?"

"Cause of death was most likely due to heart failure. The heart was was completely detached from the body entirely. When it was removed it was placed in a plastic bag outside the door.

No sign of struggle very little blood. Funnily enough they're labelling it as a suicide."

"No you've got to be kidding me! How could somebody rip their own heart and leave it outside the door.?"

"It was said he accomplished it with assistance".

"Well obviously but what sick person would sever someone's heart from their body? And even if they did it themselves what kind of person would sit there and watch someone mutilate themselves in such a horrific way?

If that were someone I cared i would have at least stopped them and not help them carry out their plans.

No normal human being puts freshly severed organs in plastic bags.

The creature did this.

I know now for certain that no human committed these murders.

So we need to get to track this monster, get right on his flipping tail figure out exactly where he's headed next and hopefully If we play our cards right we can get to his next target before he does"

"How do you know this creature is a he?"

"Oh most murderers are men and then I just have one of those feelings, let's just call it a hunch. My hunches are usually bang on".

"If you say so but the method of travel we are using is most inefficient. If you want to get there quickly I suggest you do it my way".