“Because, Doctor, my education is complete. At least this part of my education. My undergraduate work, if you will. I feel confident that I am ready to enter the world that I have studied so diligently over these several years.”

Jacob Curtis usually carried a stun gun in his pocket whenever he went to visit Alexander. As he was trying to convince Alexander to go back into his bedroom, he slowly slid his hand in the coat pocket, searching for the familiar shape.

“Doctor Curtis, I am sorry to say that your little ‘stun-gun’ is not where you wish it to be. In your state of excitement, I imagine that you left it elsewhere. I noticed that the slight bulge that usually fills your coat pocket was absent as you entered my reading room. I am sorry. You should be more careful.”

Alexander directed the two doctors, who were now shaking with fear, to sit down on the couch. Alexander circled them, pausing occasionally as if he was considering his next move.

It was Jacob Curtis, however, who made the next move. He jumped from the couch and charged Alexander. His attempt at a physical takeover ended with him being thrown back to his original spot on the couch. His head whipped back from the force of Alexander’s shove.

“Not intelligent, Doctor. Another move like that will cost you more than a simple case of whiplash. Sit and be quiet while I prepare my statements.”

There seemed to be no escape for the doctors. Jacob Curtis, now holding his neck in pain, nodded his cooperation to Alexander, who again began circling the two couched doctors.

Alexander stood six foot two, and weighed 225 pounds.  The last body fat composition test that the doctors gave to Alexander showed that 184 of his 225 pounds were solid, rock hard muscle.

After several minutes, Alexander sat across from the doctors in a wooden rocking chair that screamed under his weight as he sat.

“Doctor Curtis, Doctor Adams,” he began. “I am pleased to say that your fame will now be assured. You will be known as the doctors who not only allowed my escape, but also as the doctors who taught me so much about the world. Though not all of my knowledge came via your knowledge or permission.”

“Alexander,” Peter spoke, trying to intimidate Alexander using his one-time powerful voice, “I have had just about enough of your games. Get back into your bedroom, and I will consider not taking away all of your books. Do it now before I change my mind.”

“Doctor Adams,” Alexander said, stilling his body so that his voice could attain a more powerful level, “you are not in the position to give orders.  Your position calls more for begging than demanding.  Be quiet, or I may change my mind and make you even more famous by making you my first victim.

“My education is complete. I will no longer remain here serving as your lab rat.  I have people that I wish to see. Conversations that I’ve dreamed of having with people, which now beg to be completed with another participant.  You have stolen 22 years of my life, dear doctors.  I will allow no more time to be taken from me.  My education here is complete.  For this, I thank you.”

What happened next took place too quickly for Curtis or Adams to have prepared for or to defend against.  Alexander finished talking, then leaped atop Jacob Curtis with the quickness of a lion.  Before Jacob could scream in pain or in terror, Alexander began pounding his iron fists into Jacob’s chest, crushing bones and sending sharp, shattered fragments into his heart and lungs. Alexander’s blows were so powerful that the final blows punched their way through Jacob’s chest.

“Good night, good doctor,” Alexander said as he jumped off the dead doctor.  He held his hands up in front of himself as if they were trophies, lustfully envying the bright red blood flowing effortlessly down his arms.

Doctor Adams found his old, powerful voice again.  No words were formed, only a scream as Alexander crushed the right side of his head with a single punch.  At first, Alexander thought that he had killed Peter Adams, but a quick check of the doctor’s pulse and labored but steady breathing assured Alexander that the doctor had a fighting chance if attended to quickly.  Alexander had no plans to call an ambulance, but he knew that someone would discover the two bodies.  Hopefully, not too late for Doctor Adams.

“If I could only whistle,” he thought to himself as he entered the hallway, “this picture would be complete.”

He was free.

He paused, looking over his work. He knew what was supposed to happen next. It had all been planned. Alexander felt that while intentionally killing Doctor Jacob Curtis was a bit of improvisation, his part of the plan was going exactly as it was designed.

After another minute, Alexander checked the pulse of Peter Adams.

“Is he still alive?” his expected visitor asked from behind in his bedroom. Though Alexander was expecting company, he was disappointed with himself for not hearing his guest entering.

“I’m afraid not,” Alexander said calmly.  “My punch was a bit too forceful. I believe it crushed his skull.”

“Those were two very costly mistakes, Alexander. Very costly. What the hell were you thinking?” his guest said as angrily brushed dirt off his pants and shirt.

“I’m afraid I lost my temper,” Alexander replied.

“Damn it,” his guest said. “This can’t happen again. Do you understand that? You can’t kill people just because you lose your damn temper. Do you know what a mess this creates? You have no idea what you just did to our plan.”

“Has he arrived yet?”

“Not yet,” his guest said, calmer. “Any minute now, I’m sure. I made it clear what time I expected him and also made clear the penalty for him not showing. He’ll be here.”

“And when he does?” Alexander asked, turning to his guest.

“You,” he said, pointing a stern finger directly at Alexander’s chest, “will not lay a finger on him. I don’t want you even in the same room with him.”

“I understand, and I apologize that my actions disrupted your plan.”

“It’s our plan, Alexander. You and I both benefit from our plan. Just don’t screw anything else up, and we’ll be fine.”

“And when he arrives, the rest of the plan can continue?”

“Of course. And I have a few surprises for you as well.”

************

Roger Fay loved walking the southern shore of Piseco Lake.  The leaves were reflected off the calm water, giving him double the pleasure. The summer air kept his thoughts clean and focused, and the unpolluted air filling his lungs revived his tired body.

His walking route was about five miles and took Roger by some of the more elegant camps that lined the lake. His home was in one of the trailer parks in Higgins Bay, but he knew that one day one of his ideas would pay off, and he would be able to afford a house on the southern shore. For now, though, he was happy just to be walking in the peaceful surroundings.