Man among Beasts, part I.

Norman Blackwood is on a corner halfway asleep. he is bleeding from his face. the pain makes it hard for him to open his eyes. he laughs even when it hurts. it makes him feel insatiable pleasure to know that he can get under their minds.

Richard is standing at an understandable distance. he has a bruise lip. he is furious to know that they allowed Norman to get away with those atrocities with no punishment. they just handcuffed his hands. he feels like he could had done worse.

"Don't even think about it." said Francesco holding a cup of coffee.

"How did you even know what I am thinking. pig." answers Richard feeling furious.

"I am a cop standing on a lawless land. I can easily shoot your genitals off the next time you dare use that kind of language to address me. call me with respect or lose the right to be a man. and it wasn't my choice either. it just felt like the most humane thing to do, even for a beast like that rabid dog laughing like a female hyena." 

"I don't want to admit it. but that is a good point." whispers Richard trying to relax.

Massimo approaches them holding a twelve-packed of beer. he feels proud for an older gentleman to be capable of drinking better than younger men. Massimo insists on leaving the mall while things are quiet. he has been fallowing rules so far. but he is not a follower. he was born to be a leader. after all he was a big gangster.

"I know how you may feel. but no. we won't move from here until I say otherwise. you may curse me for it. but I have enough reasons to believe the streets are more dangerous now that darkness has covered the streets once more. it will be safer tomorrow morning." said Francesco as he looks away avoiding eye contact.

"I will wait. not for fear to a younger dog, but for respect to a dog of authority. but it better be soon, because I am running out of patience." said Massimo.

the discussion is over. they all talk about having dinner. Fidelio is in a corner reading a book about survival in the wild. Massimo and Francesco go to the food court. Ashley and Petter are having another date exploring the mall for the tenth time. Richard grabs Norman from the collar. he walks towards a dark room. he drags Norman. on the way Richard makes eye contact with Fidelio, who ignores his actions.

Richard gets inside a bathroom holding Norman from the collar. he throws Norman on the wet dirty ground. Richard demands an explanation.

"Do you want to know why I am still alive? even when I had sin upon the laws of your God, and your authority. or is there anything else you seek to learn, little sheep." said Norman with a calm emotionless facial expression.

"You know what? yes, I want to know why you are breathing." demands Richard.

"Well, to be frankly honest with my little sheep. Detective Miller has an ability that allows him to see the true colors of people. and I have a gift of similar proportions. I didn't become a cult leader for my good looks alone. I happen to actually have an ability of prophecy. I can see the future of certain chosen individuals by just making eye contact alone. I can see more than their future. I can visualize their past. I can feel their present. I can see more than just that. like a previously said, prophecy is my gift." 

"That is absurd. it makes no sense." screams Richard as he falls on his knees.

"Oh, my little lamb. give your ear, and I will whisper of the glories of your future. give your eyes, and I will show you the scars of your past. give me your voice, and I will speak for your ego and true self. that is precisely why I gifted to your friends what they wanted. they were so lost and desperate for salvation." said Norman with a sinister smile.

"There is no salvation in death. not in a world like this. immoral to think."

"Oh, is my little deer friend in agony? don't suffer. let me be the guide of your prayers. allow me to be the confident voice of your reasoning. believe me. I will show you the way. don't you seek the light? the way to salvation? I am the light. I am salvation. I am the redeemer of your penitence and all your martyrs. I am the chosen herald of the divine will." whispers Norman with a macabre smile that shows his true nature.

"No. please no more. don't get on my head." screams Richard under emotional agony.

"Oh, little mouse. how absurd and boring can you be? I had left myself on the nude for you to see what lies beyond the ego, and you can be so blind to not see the damn yellow road. what kind of ignorant and mediocre Dorothy are you? see me in the eyes fool. I demand respect from you. I am the shepherd of your will." screams Norman out of desperation as he can't contain the frustration of his circumstances.

"I am sorry, oh prophet." whispers Richard crying while looking directly at the eyes of Norman. for seconds he can see what Norman wants him to see.

in a second Francesco kicks the door. open. he gets inside the bathroom. he kicks Norman on the face so hard he sends him flying against the wall. he then slaps Richard so hard he falls unconscious in the dirty floor. 

"What a mess. is that truth dirty dog? is it truth the thing about the powers?" asks Massimo out of curiosity as he fixes his fedora.

"Yes, and so what? it doesn't change the fact that you are going to hell. so am I. and so is that little dangerous man hiding behind fancy words and dangerous looks, but between you and me. I am better looking than that clown." said Francesco proud of his face.

Norman drags himself on the dirty floor crying out of pain. he asks for a doctor.