{"sf1_id":823660,"sf2_id":"ZmMKXbD1","title":"Eric Talon: Bodyguard","author":"TY951","words":233,"posted_at":"2015-02-25T11:59:00.000Z","tags":["Gargoyle","Mind Control","Mind change","Muscle Growth","Petrification","RP","Roleplay","Statue","Transformation","tf"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/823660-eric-talon-bodyguard","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/ZmMKXbD1","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=823660\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"#1 of Eric Talon\n\nAnother RP turned story. This time showing my amoral reality altering character Eric Talon.","content":"One\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;things\u0026nbsp;one\u0026nbsp;needs\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;order\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;best\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;protected\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;ones\u0026nbsp;enemies.\u0026nbsp;Wealth\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;connections\n\nare\u0026nbsp;ruined\u0026nbsp;if\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;end\u0026nbsp;up\u0026nbsp;being\u0026nbsp;killed by\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;enemy\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;rival,\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;even,\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;act\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;nature.\n\n-\u0026nbsp;To\u0026nbsp;Be\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;Very\u0026nbsp;Best,\u0026nbsp;Unknown\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nEric\u0026nbsp;Talon\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;man\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;many\u0026nbsp;talents.\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;sciences,\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;arts,\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;occult,\u0026nbsp;he's\u0026nbsp;quite\u0026nbsp;well\u0026nbsp;versed\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;knowledge\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;has\n\naccumulated.\u0026nbsp;This,\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;course,\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;not enough.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;wealthy,\u0026nbsp;powerful,\u0026nbsp;influential,\u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;it's\u0026nbsp;never\u0026nbsp;enough.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;knows\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;things\n\nthat\u0026nbsp;would\u0026nbsp;help\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;plans,\u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;first,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;needs\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;protector,\u0026nbsp;a loyal\u0026nbsp;protector\u0026nbsp;who\u0026nbsp;follows\u0026nbsp;without\u0026nbsp;question.\u0026nbsp;While\u0026nbsp;he's\n\nlooking\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;cash\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;made\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;recent\u0026nbsp;sale\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;statue,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;looks\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;stone\u0026nbsp;grey\u0026nbsp;flower\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;a display\u0026nbsp;case,\u0026nbsp;and\n\nthen\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;idea\u0026nbsp;hit\u0026nbsp;him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Perfect.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;twisted\u0026nbsp;grin.\u0026nbsp;\"This\u0026nbsp;needs\u0026nbsp;some\u0026nbsp;experiments.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;takes\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;stone\u0026nbsp;flower\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;his\n\ngloved\u0026nbsp;hands\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;heads\u0026nbsp;off\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;his basement\u0026nbsp;laboratory.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBarrett\u0026nbsp;Carver\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;busy\u0026nbsp;reading\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;favorite\u0026nbsp;book\u0026nbsp;one\u0026nbsp;late\u0026nbsp;afternoon\u0026nbsp;when\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;phone\u0026nbsp;begins\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;ring.\u0026nbsp;Irritated\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;interruption\n\nof\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;rather\u0026nbsp;peaceful\u0026nbsp;day, he\u0026nbsp;picks\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;up.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Hello,\u0026nbsp;who\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;this?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;asked\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;places\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;bookmark\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;page\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;ended\u0026nbsp;up.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"It's\u0026nbsp;me\u0026nbsp;Eric!\"\u0026nbsp;His\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;shouted\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;phone\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;enthusiastic\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;childish\u0026nbsp;voice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;it?\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;asked\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;closes\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;ear\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;noise,\u0026nbsp;\"I\u0026nbsp;doubt\u0026nbsp;it's\u0026nbsp;just\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;chat.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Well,\u0026nbsp;are\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;busy\u0026nbsp;now?\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;need\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;something.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBarrett\u0026nbsp;looks\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;book\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;sighs,\u0026nbsp;\"No,\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;answered,\u0026nbsp;\"Where'd\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;me\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;go?\u0026nbsp;And\u0026nbsp;what\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;this\u0026nbsp;something\u0026nbsp;exactly?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Just\u0026nbsp;come\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;place\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;I'll\u0026nbsp;ex-\"\u0026nbsp;Then\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;sound\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;explosion\u0026nbsp;cuts\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;phone\u0026nbsp;line.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWhen\u0026nbsp;met\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;beeping\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;phone,\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;only\u0026nbsp;feel\u0026nbsp;tired.\u0026nbsp;\"What\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;earth\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;planning?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;muttered\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;himself\n\nas\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;puts\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;phone down.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;rubs\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;temples\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;remembers\u0026nbsp;who\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;dealing\u0026nbsp;with.\u0026nbsp;\"Eric\u0026nbsp;has\u0026nbsp;always\u0026nbsp;been\u0026nbsp;a\n\nrich\u0026nbsp;eccentric.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;fixes\u0026nbsp;himself.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then heads\u0026nbsp;towards\u0026nbsp;Eric's\u0026nbsp;large\u0026nbsp;home,\u0026nbsp;which\u0026nbsp;itself\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;far\u0026nbsp;away\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;city.\n\nThe\u0026nbsp;sun\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;already\u0026nbsp;setting\u0026nbsp;when\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;reached\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;front\u0026nbsp;gate.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;lets\u0026nbsp;himself\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he walks\u0026nbsp;up\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;circular\u0026nbsp;road\u0026nbsp;towards\u0026nbsp;the\n\nporch.\u0026nbsp;\"He\u0026nbsp;definitely\u0026nbsp;needs\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;hire\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;guard\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;two\u0026nbsp;around\u0026nbsp;here.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;commented\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;notices\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;empty\u0026nbsp;pedestal right\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;front\n\nof\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;gate.\u0026nbsp;As\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;reaches\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;main\u0026nbsp;door,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;knocks\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;door\u0026nbsp;using\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;brass\u0026nbsp;knocker.\u0026nbsp;\"Hello?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;called,\u0026nbsp;\"Anyone\u0026nbsp;home?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I'm\u0026nbsp;here!\u0026nbsp;I'm\u0026nbsp;here!\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;shouted\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;opens\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;door,\u0026nbsp;greeting\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;while\u0026nbsp;covered\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;soot.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What\u0026nbsp;happened\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;you?\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;rhetorically\u0026nbsp;asked,\u0026nbsp;\"Isn't\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;little\u0026nbsp;early\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;play\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;Santa's\u0026nbsp;little\u0026nbsp;black\u0026nbsp;helper?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Shut\u0026nbsp;up,\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;just\u0026nbsp;put\u0026nbsp;fire\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;bottle\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;oil.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Was\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;oil\u0026nbsp;mixed\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;dynamite?\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;enters\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;house\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;goes\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;living\u0026nbsp;room.\u0026nbsp;\"So,\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;turns\n\nto\u0026nbsp;face\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;friend,\u0026nbsp;\"What is\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;me\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;do?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Just\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;wait,\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;whispered\u0026nbsp;before\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;turns\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;smile\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;face.\u0026nbsp;\"I\u0026nbsp;need\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;experiment.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Ok,\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;muttered,\u0026nbsp;\"I\u0026nbsp;feel\u0026nbsp;like\u0026nbsp;you'll\u0026nbsp;just\u0026nbsp;continue\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;anyway,\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;without\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;consent.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;turns\u0026nbsp;away,\u0026nbsp;\"Or\u0026nbsp;my\n\nlawyers.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;muttered before\u0026nbsp;turning\u0026nbsp;back\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;Eric,\u0026nbsp;\"What\u0026nbsp;sort\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;experiment?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Oh,\u0026nbsp;just\u0026nbsp;medicine.\u0026nbsp;It\u0026nbsp;works\u0026nbsp;well\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;animals,\u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;haven't\u0026nbsp;tested\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;out\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;humans\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;see.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;mischievous\u0026nbsp;tone\u0026nbsp;that\n\nBarrett\u0026nbsp;failed\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;notice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"There's\u0026nbsp;such\u0026nbsp;thing\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;advertising\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;know.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Oh\u0026nbsp;no,\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;haven't\u0026nbsp;even\u0026nbsp;patented\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;yet.\u0026nbsp;If\u0026nbsp;someone\u0026nbsp;find\u0026nbsp;out\u0026nbsp;about\u0026nbsp;it,\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;might\u0026nbsp;lose\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;trademark.\"\u0026nbsp;This\u0026nbsp;only\u0026nbsp;makes\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;sigh\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;defeat.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Medicine?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said,\u0026nbsp;\"What\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;it?\u0026nbsp;Pill?\u0026nbsp;S-syringe?\u0026nbsp;You\u0026nbsp;know\u0026nbsp;how\u0026nbsp;much\u0026nbsp;I'm\u0026nbsp;afraid\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;needles.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;nervously\u0026nbsp;asked\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;quickly\u0026nbsp;looks\n\naround\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;any\u0026nbsp;hidden\u0026nbsp;needles.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"No,\u0026nbsp;just\u0026nbsp;some\u0026nbsp;pills.\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;chuckled\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;sight,\u0026nbsp;\"But\u0026nbsp;before\u0026nbsp;that,\u0026nbsp;what\u0026nbsp;do\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;know\u0026nbsp;about\u0026nbsp;gargoyles?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Gargoyle,\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;decorative\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;functional\u0026nbsp;design\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;Gothic\u0026nbsp;architecture,\u0026nbsp;used\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;functioning\u0026nbsp;waterspout,\u0026nbsp;its\u0026nbsp;non\u0026nbsp;functioning\u0026nbsp;counterpart\n\nis\u0026nbsp;called\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;Grotesque. In\u0026nbsp;earlier\u0026nbsp;times,\u0026nbsp;its\u0026nbsp;frightening\u0026nbsp;appearance\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;used\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;way\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;scare\u0026nbsp;away\u0026nbsp;evil\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;protect\u0026nbsp;scared\u0026nbsp;locations.\n\nNowadays,\u0026nbsp;due\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;same\u0026nbsp;frightening appearance,\u0026nbsp;popular\u0026nbsp;culture\u0026nbsp;has\u0026nbsp;made\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;silent\u0026nbsp;sentinel\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;holy\u0026nbsp;places\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;stereotypical\n\ndemon\u0026nbsp;made\u0026nbsp;out\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;rock.\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;answered\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;raises\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;brow, \"Does\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;answer\u0026nbsp;your\u0026nbsp;question?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Well,\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;snorted,\u0026nbsp;\"More\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;answer\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;expected.\u0026nbsp;Okay\u0026nbsp;then!\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;gives\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;pill.\u0026nbsp;\"Now,\u0026nbsp;swallow\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;up.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;gives\u0026nbsp;him\n\na\u0026nbsp;cup\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;water.\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;looks\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;pill on\u0026nbsp;one\u0026nbsp;hand\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;cup\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;water\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;other.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Here\u0026nbsp;goes\u0026nbsp;nothing.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;swallows\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;pill\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;drinks\u0026nbsp;some\u0026nbsp;water.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Well,\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;slowly\u0026nbsp;claps,\u0026nbsp;\"I\u0026nbsp;sure\u0026nbsp;am\u0026nbsp;surprised\u0026nbsp;by\u0026nbsp;your\u0026nbsp;bravery.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;drops\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;childishness.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBefore\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;ask,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;drops\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;cup\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;hit\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;great\u0026nbsp;amount\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;pain\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;stomach.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;grips\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;belly\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;both\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;his\n\narms\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;fell\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;knees.\u0026nbsp;He looks\u0026nbsp;up\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;pain\u0026nbsp;slowly\u0026nbsp;begins\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;become\u0026nbsp;unbearable.\u0026nbsp;\"What\u0026nbsp;did\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;make\u0026nbsp;me\u0026nbsp;take!?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nEric\u0026nbsp;simply\u0026nbsp;walks\u0026nbsp;back\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;forth\u0026nbsp;while\u0026nbsp;chuckling,\u0026nbsp;admiring\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;results\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;experiments.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;goes\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;display\u0026nbsp;case\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;picks\n\nup\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;grey\u0026nbsp;stone\u0026nbsp;flower.\u0026nbsp;\"I found\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;special\u0026nbsp;flower.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBarrett\u0026nbsp;looks\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;moment\u0026nbsp;until\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;pain\u0026nbsp;causes\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;face\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;floor;\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;uses\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;right\u0026nbsp;arm\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;support\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;prevent\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;from\n\nhitting\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;floor\u0026nbsp;face\u0026nbsp;first. \"What's\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;suppose\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;be?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;asked\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;closes\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;eyes\u0026nbsp;due\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;pain.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Listen\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;me,\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;serious\u0026nbsp;tone,\u0026nbsp;\"And\u0026nbsp;listen\u0026nbsp;closely.\u0026nbsp;This\u0026nbsp;flower,\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;Medusa\u0026nbsp;Rose,\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;turn\u0026nbsp;living\u0026nbsp;beings\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;stone.\u0026nbsp;Took\n\nme\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;while\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;find\u0026nbsp;it,\u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;it was\u0026nbsp;worth\u0026nbsp;taking\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;risk.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"WHAT!\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;shouted\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;opens\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;eyes\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;tries\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;stand\u0026nbsp;up,\u0026nbsp;only\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;legs\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;stay\u0026nbsp;completely\u0026nbsp;still.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;places\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;left\n\narm\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;same\u0026nbsp;supporting stance\u0026nbsp;just\u0026nbsp;like\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;right\u0026nbsp;arm.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;feel\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;arms\u0026nbsp;getting\u0026nbsp;stiff.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;notices\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;pose,\u0026nbsp;looking\u0026nbsp;like\u0026nbsp;he's\n\nbegging\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;about\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;do\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;kowtow.\u0026nbsp;\"Are,\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;difficulty,\u0026nbsp;\"You\u0026nbsp;mad?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yes,\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;chuckled\u0026nbsp;madly,\u0026nbsp;\"I\u0026nbsp;may\u0026nbsp;be.\u0026nbsp;But\u0026nbsp;listen\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;this.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;goes\u0026nbsp;closer\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;Barrett's\u0026nbsp;ear,\u0026nbsp;\"Unlike\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;previous\u0026nbsp;tests,\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;made\n\nthe\u0026nbsp;pill\u0026nbsp;weaker\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;so you\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;turned\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;stone,\u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;alive.\u0026nbsp;And\u0026nbsp;not\u0026nbsp;only\u0026nbsp;had\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;made\u0026nbsp;some\u0026nbsp;bucks\u0026nbsp;by\u0026nbsp;selling\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;statues,\u0026nbsp;those\n\nwelfare\u0026nbsp;workers\u0026nbsp;would\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;less\u0026nbsp;pressured\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;their\u0026nbsp;jobs. Aren't\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;genius?!\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;mad\u0026nbsp;smile.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"That,\u0026nbsp;doesn't\u0026nbsp;help,\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;all.\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;looks\u0026nbsp;down\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;sees\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;hands\u0026nbsp;changing\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;grey\u0026nbsp;granite\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;developing\u0026nbsp;sharp\u0026nbsp;talons.\n\nHe\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;notices\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;can't move\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;neck\u0026nbsp;anymore.\u0026nbsp;\"Don't\u0026nbsp;tell\u0026nbsp;me,\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;greater\u0026nbsp;difficulty\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;becomes\u0026nbsp;harder\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;breath.\n\n\"You\u0026nbsp;have\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;pedestal\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;name\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;it.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Well,\u0026nbsp;maybe\u0026nbsp;not\u0026nbsp;your\u0026nbsp;name,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;does\u0026nbsp;help.\u0026nbsp;Do\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;know\u0026nbsp;why\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;even\u0026nbsp;took\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;effort\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;let\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;live,\u0026nbsp;unlike\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;ones\u0026nbsp;before\u0026nbsp;you?\n\nBecause\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;need\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;gargoyle\u0026nbsp;slave! A\u0026nbsp;protector\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;doesn't\u0026nbsp;complain\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;tire\u0026nbsp;about\u0026nbsp;anything.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;begins\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;laugh\u0026nbsp;madly.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"What's\u0026nbsp;next?\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;hears\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;shoes\u0026nbsp;rip\u0026nbsp;apart.\u0026nbsp;If\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;look\u0026nbsp;back,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;would\u0026nbsp;have\u0026nbsp;seen\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;feet\u0026nbsp;changing\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;have\n\nthree\u0026nbsp;talons\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;back\u0026nbsp;talon\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;made entirely\u0026nbsp;out\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;grey\u0026nbsp;granite.\u0026nbsp;\"Hypnotize\u0026nbsp;me?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;sarcastically\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;before\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;stops\u0026nbsp;breathing.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Hmm,\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;thought,\u0026nbsp;\"Well,\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;almost\u0026nbsp;forgot\u0026nbsp;about\u0026nbsp;that,\u0026nbsp;thanks.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;goes\u0026nbsp;off\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;returns\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;round\u0026nbsp;monitor.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n'Me\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;big\u0026nbsp;mouth.'\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;thought\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;feels\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;arms\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;legs\u0026nbsp;expanding,\u0026nbsp;looking\u0026nbsp;more\u0026nbsp;sculpted\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;perfect\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;future\n\ngargoyle\u0026nbsp;slave.\u0026nbsp;His\u0026nbsp;clothes\u0026nbsp;continue to\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;ripped\u0026nbsp;apart\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;strange\u0026nbsp;feeling\u0026nbsp;appeared\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;end\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;spine.\u0026nbsp;A\u0026nbsp;long\u0026nbsp;tail\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;ends\n\nin\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;spaded\u0026nbsp;tip\u0026nbsp;grows\u0026nbsp;out.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Now,\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;fingers\u0026nbsp;down\u0026nbsp;Barrett's\u0026nbsp;back\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;mad\u0026nbsp;grin\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;face.\u0026nbsp;\"Now,\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;most\u0026nbsp;fun\u0026nbsp;part!\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;exclaimed\u0026nbsp;as\n\nhe\u0026nbsp;turns\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;monitor\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;begins to\u0026nbsp;show\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;hypnotizing\u0026nbsp;signal.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBarrett\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;feel\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;moving\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;finger\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;back\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;two\u0026nbsp;bumps\u0026nbsp;grow\u0026nbsp;out\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;back,\u0026nbsp;ripping\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;shirt\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;pieces.\u0026nbsp;His\u0026nbsp;chest\u0026nbsp;has\n\nbecome\u0026nbsp;similarly\u0026nbsp;sculpted\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;smooth\u0026nbsp;by the\u0026nbsp;change\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;grey\u0026nbsp;granite\u0026nbsp;gargoyle\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;place\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;monitor\u0026nbsp;right\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;front\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;face.\n\nHis\u0026nbsp;eyes\u0026nbsp;has\u0026nbsp;changed\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;chiseled\u0026nbsp;orbs,\u0026nbsp;any\u0026nbsp;detail\u0026nbsp;has\u0026nbsp;disappeared.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;can't\u0026nbsp;close them,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;can't\u0026nbsp;look\u0026nbsp;away,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;can't\u0026nbsp;even\u0026nbsp;focus\n\non\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;peripheral\u0026nbsp;vision,\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;try\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;look\u0026nbsp;away\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;excise\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;futility.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAs\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;new\u0026nbsp;gargoyle\u0026nbsp;wings\u0026nbsp;finish\u0026nbsp;growing,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;feel\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;mind\u0026nbsp;getting\u0026nbsp;weaker,\u0026nbsp;getting\u0026nbsp;more\u0026nbsp;malleable,\u0026nbsp;more\u0026nbsp;easily\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;controlled\n\nand\u0026nbsp;manipulated.\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;only\u0026nbsp;thing\u0026nbsp;left\u0026nbsp;human about\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;head,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;even\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;has\u0026nbsp;turned\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;grey\u0026nbsp;granite.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yes,\u0026nbsp;yes,\u0026nbsp;don't\u0026nbsp;resist,\u0026nbsp;give\u0026nbsp;in.\u0026nbsp;You\u0026nbsp;don't\u0026nbsp;need\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;free\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;anyway.\u0026nbsp;Just\u0026nbsp;give\u0026nbsp;yourself\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;me.\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;once\u0026nbsp;again\u0026nbsp;chuckles\u0026nbsp;with\n\ndelight\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;sits\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;back\u0026nbsp;while\u0026nbsp;turning\u0026nbsp;off his\u0026nbsp;friend's\u0026nbsp;phone\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;puts\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;away\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;dealt\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;later.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n'No...'\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;thought\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;ears\u0026nbsp;turn\u0026nbsp;long\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;pointy\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;two\u0026nbsp;great\u0026nbsp;horns\u0026nbsp;grow\u0026nbsp;out\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;forehead.\u0026nbsp;His\u0026nbsp;hair\u0026nbsp;simply\u0026nbsp;vanish,\u0026nbsp;molded\n\naway\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;baldness\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;horns\u0026nbsp;turn\u0026nbsp;out and\u0026nbsp;front,\u0026nbsp;like\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;horns\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;bull.\u0026nbsp;His\u0026nbsp;face\u0026nbsp;becomes\u0026nbsp;chiseled\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;similarly\u0026nbsp;sculpted\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;as\n\nfrightening\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;teeth\u0026nbsp;change\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;fangs\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;grew\u0026nbsp;tusks,\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;tongue\u0026nbsp;becomes\u0026nbsp;forked, and\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;face\u0026nbsp;develops\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;short\u0026nbsp;muzzle.\u0026nbsp;Now,\n\nno\u0026nbsp;one\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;tell\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;gargoyle\u0026nbsp;statue\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;once\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;human\u0026nbsp;being.\u0026nbsp;'Must...resist...'\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;thought\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;continues\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;fight\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;losing\u0026nbsp;battle.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"He\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;he,\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;chuckled\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;drops\u0026nbsp;off\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;Barrett's\u0026nbsp;back\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;goes\u0026nbsp;right\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;front\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;friend.\u0026nbsp;\"It's\u0026nbsp;not\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;fault.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;a\n\ndeceptively\u0026nbsp;innocent\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;childish\u0026nbsp;tone.\u0026nbsp;\"I\u0026nbsp;just\u0026nbsp;needed someone\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;keep\u0026nbsp;me\u0026nbsp;company,\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;protect\u0026nbsp;me,\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;friend.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\n\nhe\u0026nbsp;rubs\u0026nbsp;Barrett's\u0026nbsp;stone\u0026nbsp;head.\u0026nbsp;\"Now,\u0026nbsp;whether\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;not,\u0026nbsp;you'll\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;company\u0026nbsp;forever!\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;laughs in\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;insane\u0026nbsp;manner.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n'Fight...it...'\u0026nbsp;Barrett's\u0026nbsp;thoughts\u0026nbsp;are\u0026nbsp;slowly\u0026nbsp;becoming\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;slow\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;stone\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;became.\u0026nbsp;'Don't...let...him...win...'\u0026nbsp;Only\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;few\u0026nbsp;more\n\nhypnotic\u0026nbsp;suggestions\u0026nbsp;would\u0026nbsp;cause\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;mental\u0026nbsp;resistance to\u0026nbsp;completely\u0026nbsp;shatter.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Now,\u0026nbsp;don't\u0026nbsp;feel\u0026nbsp;bad\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;your\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;has\u0026nbsp;betrayed\u0026nbsp;you.\u0026nbsp;Don't\u0026nbsp;think\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;like\u0026nbsp;that.\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;mad\u0026nbsp;laugh\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;two,\u0026nbsp;\"No,\u0026nbsp;think\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;it\n\nas\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;way\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;make\u0026nbsp;our\u0026nbsp;friendship\u0026nbsp;even\u0026nbsp;deeper. To\u0026nbsp;strengthen\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;bonds\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;friendship\u0026nbsp;between\u0026nbsp;us,\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;make\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;even\u0026nbsp;harder!\u0026nbsp;Give\u0026nbsp;in\n\nto\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;WILL!\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;busted\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;insane\u0026nbsp;laughter\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;pets\u0026nbsp;Barrett's\u0026nbsp;head\u0026nbsp;like\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;dog.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Give...in?\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;mouth\u0026nbsp;moves\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;its\u0026nbsp;own.\u0026nbsp;'N-no...'\u0026nbsp;His\u0026nbsp;last\u0026nbsp;human\u0026nbsp;thought\u0026nbsp;disappears\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;mind\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;completely\n\noverwhelmed\u0026nbsp;by\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;hypnotic\u0026nbsp;signal.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;subtly\u0026nbsp;smiled as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;petting\u0026nbsp;makes\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;feel\u0026nbsp;nice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yes,\"\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;merry\u0026nbsp;tune,\u0026nbsp;\"Give\u0026nbsp;in!\u0026nbsp;You\u0026nbsp;have\u0026nbsp;nothing\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;lose!\u0026nbsp;I'll\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;your\u0026nbsp;best\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;master!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Fre-ends...\"\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;hypnotic\u0026nbsp;suggestions\u0026nbsp;begin\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;dig\u0026nbsp;deeply\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;Barrett's\u0026nbsp;mind,\u0026nbsp;altering\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;suit\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;master's\u0026nbsp;desires.\u0026nbsp;How\u0026nbsp;can\n\nsomeone\u0026nbsp;fight\u0026nbsp;something\u0026nbsp;if\u0026nbsp;it's buried\u0026nbsp;deep\u0026nbsp;within\u0026nbsp;their\u0026nbsp;mind?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nEric\u0026nbsp;smiles\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;sits\u0026nbsp;next\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;new\u0026nbsp;gargoyle.\u0026nbsp;\"Yes,\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;childish\u0026nbsp;tone,\u0026nbsp;\"Friends!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBarrett's\u0026nbsp;mouth\u0026nbsp;move\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;smile,\u0026nbsp;\"Friends.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;last\u0026nbsp;vestige\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;resistance\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;humanity\u0026nbsp;vanishes\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;mind.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nEric\u0026nbsp;hugs\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;large\u0026nbsp;gargoyle\u0026nbsp;like\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;child\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;smile\u0026nbsp;while\u0026nbsp;laughing\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;glee\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;success\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;experiment.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBarrett\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;smile,\u0026nbsp;knowing\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;master\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;happy,\u0026nbsp;knowing\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;he's\u0026nbsp;safe,\u0026nbsp;knowing\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;strange\u0026nbsp;nagging\u0026nbsp;feeling\n\nis\u0026nbsp;now\u0026nbsp;gone.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;knows\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;purpose\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;life, to\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;loyal\u0026nbsp;guardian\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;master\u0026nbsp;until\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;time\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;turns\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;dust.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nEric\u0026nbsp;simply\u0026nbsp;giggles.\u0026nbsp;He's\u0026nbsp;happy\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;thought\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;having\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;stay\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;no\u0026nbsp;matter\u0026nbsp;what,\u0026nbsp;until\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;dies,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;even\n\nthat\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;dealt\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;one\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;these\u0026nbsp;days.\u0026nbsp;\"Now,\" He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;lets\u0026nbsp;go\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;hug,\u0026nbsp;\"What\u0026nbsp;do\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;now,\u0026nbsp;'friend'?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Whatever\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;desire.\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;replied\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;smiles\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;open\u0026nbsp;mouth,\u0026nbsp;showing\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;fanged\u0026nbsp;teeth\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;tusks.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;stands\u0026nbsp;up\u0026nbsp;to\n\nstretch\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;wings\u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;unfortunately\u0026nbsp;reach\u0026nbsp;the ceiling\u0026nbsp;due\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;added\u0026nbsp;height.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;Eric\u0026nbsp;chuckles\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;leads\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;outside,\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;open\u0026nbsp;field\u0026nbsp;under\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;night\u0026nbsp;sky.\u0026nbsp;\"Do\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;fly?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yes.\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;simply\u0026nbsp;replied\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;spread\u0026nbsp;out\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;bat\u0026nbsp;like\u0026nbsp;wings.\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;looks\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;master\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;asks,\u0026nbsp;\"Do\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;want\n\na\u0026nbsp;ride?\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;begins\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;flap\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;wings.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nEric\u0026nbsp;smiles\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;hops\u0026nbsp;onto\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;gargoyle.\u0026nbsp;\"Does\u0026nbsp;this\u0026nbsp;answer\u0026nbsp;your\u0026nbsp;question?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yes.\"\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;soars\u0026nbsp;up\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;night\u0026nbsp;sky.\u0026nbsp;It\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;fun\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;they\u0026nbsp;fly\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;air\u0026nbsp;all\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;way\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;time\u0026nbsp;before\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;sun\u0026nbsp;rises\u0026nbsp;up.\u0026nbsp;It\u0026nbsp;is\n\nwhen\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;strange\u0026nbsp;feeling\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;weariness slowly\u0026nbsp;overwhelms\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;gargoyle,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;so\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;lands\u0026nbsp;right\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;front\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;house\u0026nbsp;near\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;circular\u0026nbsp;road.\n\n\"I\u0026nbsp;feel...tired.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;feeling\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;curiosity.\u0026nbsp;Gargoyles,\u0026nbsp;beings\u0026nbsp;of living\u0026nbsp;stone,\u0026nbsp;can't\u0026nbsp;feel\u0026nbsp;tired.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nEric\u0026nbsp;sighed\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;end\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;fun\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;looks\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;gargoyle.\u0026nbsp;\"Do\u0026nbsp;you\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;sleep?\u0026nbsp;Follow\u0026nbsp;me,\u0026nbsp;I\u0026nbsp;know\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;perfect\u0026nbsp;place.\"\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;said\n\nas\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;drags\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;large\u0026nbsp;granite\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;a large\u0026nbsp;stone\u0026nbsp;pedestal.\u0026nbsp;\"I\u0026nbsp;put\u0026nbsp;your\u0026nbsp;name\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;everything.\"\u0026nbsp;On\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;pedestal\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;plaque\n\nthat\u0026nbsp;says\u0026nbsp;'Greystone\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;Guardian,\u0026nbsp;Donated\u0026nbsp;by\u0026nbsp;Barrett\u0026nbsp;Carver'.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n'Greystone...'\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;gargoyle\u0026nbsp;thought\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;reads\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;plaque.\u0026nbsp;'Yes...that's\u0026nbsp;my\u0026nbsp;name...Greystone...'\u0026nbsp;He\u0026nbsp;then\u0026nbsp;moves\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;position,\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;if\n\nhe's\u0026nbsp;just\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;traditional\u0026nbsp;gargoyle\u0026nbsp;statue. The\u0026nbsp;appearance\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;very\u0026nbsp;convincing,\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;if\u0026nbsp;he's\u0026nbsp;really\u0026nbsp;just\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;statue.\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;pedestal\u0026nbsp;itself\u0026nbsp;seems\n\nto\u0026nbsp;change,\u0026nbsp;turning\u0026nbsp;into\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;same\u0026nbsp;grey\u0026nbsp;granite\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;gargoyle.\u0026nbsp;Greystone\u0026nbsp;simply lets\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;body\u0026nbsp;rest,\u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;he's\u0026nbsp;still\u0026nbsp;awake,\u0026nbsp;still\u0026nbsp;observing\n\nhis\u0026nbsp;surroundings.\u0026nbsp;To\u0026nbsp;protect\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;friend\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;master,\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;job.\u0026nbsp;Those\u0026nbsp;who\u0026nbsp;dare\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;harm\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;answer\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;him.\u0026nbsp;And Eric\u0026nbsp;simply\n\nsmiles,\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;sunlight\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;rising\u0026nbsp;sun\u0026nbsp;shines\u0026nbsp;down\u0026nbsp;upon\u0026nbsp;them,\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;job\u0026nbsp;well\u0026nbsp;done.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAnd\u0026nbsp;thus\u0026nbsp;end\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;day\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;Barrett's\u0026nbsp;mortal\u0026nbsp;human\u0026nbsp;life\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;start\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;Greystone's\u0026nbsp;eternal\u0026nbsp;gargoyle\u0026nbsp;servitude.\n\n  \n  \n\n"}