Men among Beasts, part II.

Detective Francesco Miller stands by himself in front of an artificial tree. he has his hands on his pockets as he observes the artificial tree. a cigarette between the lips. with his right hand he is playing with a dime. he doesn't move from that position.

"Anything special? had the tree spoken to you?" asks the ever-pessimistic Petter walking behind Detective Miller in circus.

"Is there anything in specific that you want to bring upon the group? if no, you can well F-off" Detective Miller stopped himself from saying the whole word as he remembers his girlfriend always calling him out for his vulgar language. he laughs as he thinks about her. he can't believe how much he has changed for good thanks to her.

"Nothing in particular. I am just here to remind you that we are doom. we are done for. we are finished with those doors that can't hold the menacing strength of the scarecrows. for the love of God. we need to leave now. you hear the voice yourself."

"I know. take a lollipop and sucked it up. because we are leaving. but not whenever you feel like your periodic pains dictate so to be. if we march, is at the pitch of my wand. now sit back and watch how a real man runs the circus." said Francesco.

Richard and Ashley present themselves behind Francesco. both of them come to bring a detailed information of the things they had found and believed to be important. Francesco nods feeling proud of them. it seems like it is time.

"If we have food, a med-kit, pain killers, and necessities. what are you'll waiting for. let's roll. Richard and Petter, you both will hold the machetes, our only weapons. Massimo and Ashley will take the backpacks full of food and other supplies. Antonio, you get the backpack with the med-kit and pain killers. I will drag that nasty thing." ordered Francesco as he gets ready.

"But I am not a thing. I have feelings too." commented Norman feeling hurt.

all of them get ready. they walk slowly together as one. they keep a proper pace so all of them can keep up with the group. there is nothing evil or dangerous nearby. the entirety of the mall is too quiet to the point that is creepy. all of them can get this sensation as if something really bad was about to happen at any minute.

while the priority is to keep the majority of the group alive. Francesco's number one priority has been and will always be to find the serial killer. he has put too many things on the line in order to capture the serial killer. he is not giving up, not now. not ever.

Massimo starts to think about his days of youth. he regrets greatly the fact that he wasn't there for his kids and wife. so many lives lost and wasted away out of loyalty. he questions if his loyalty was to his comrades or his ego. he lost everything that truly matter to him. and at the end there was nothing left for him. he was welcome to the unknown. a world he no longer recognizes.

"Keep your eyes up. no distractions." Francesco tells Richard.

nobody brought up the incident that happened earlier between Richard and Norman. Norman has been cooperating too easily. is hard to tell if he is setting up a tramp or if he just accepted his fate and stopped fighting back. 

there is a noise that becomes more, and more noticeable. it is as if the wind was crashing against the windows. the wind almost takes a form of its own. then the echo of their steps becomes distorted on the presence of the unknown. 

Francesco tells them that he will take a small toilet break. he tells them to keep advancing without him and he will find them at the entrance. he pulls the rope tied to Norman's hands. the two of them walk towards the bathroom. Francesco ties the rope to a sink. 

out of nowhere there is an earthquake that takes down a huge part of the mall. Francesco is careful to not stain his pants. once he is done, he washes his hands. he then hears firm footsteps approaching. Francesco doesn't pay much attention. he asks the person approaching them to identify themselves. 

Fidelio opens the door. with a gentle smile he gets inside the bathroom. he approaches Francesco ready to share a small secret. he is nervous and trembling fearful. he takes a wooden mask out of the backpack. he puts the mask on.

"What is this about?" asks Francesco as he continues to wash his hands.

"You don't get it. do you?" said Fidelio with a sinister look on his eyes.

Fidelio pulls a knife out and stabs Francesco on the side. the building keeps shaking abruptly until the floor behind Francesco falls along with one third of the third floor.

"No? are you still lost? it is me. I am the man you have been trying to find all along. I am the reason why you are here. and I am the reason why you won't escape this place. I am your greatest enemy. I am your legendary nemesis. I am the Craftsman." announces Fidelio with a macabre facial expression as he bows.

Fidelio pushes Francesco off the ground. he falls to an unknown fate. Fidelio walks directly towards Norman menacing. he touches Norman's face the same way a mom would do to a child making sure said child is safe. the smirk in Fidelio's face even terrifies Norman.

"I know about his little gift. but even with such a noble gift. he couldn't see the wolf in sheep's clothing walk right at his throat holding a poisonous dagger. but you, my child. you were able to see me for what I am right away. who else knows the devil better than a lesser devil? now be free child. and torment them for me." said Fidelio with a distorted grimace drawn on his face.

Fidelio walks away. he returns to the others with tears of falsehood.