An Agent Named Nicolas Flint

Case Two Part 2

It blinked as it judged us. Then it moved and the other eye took its place. The face behind the tunnel was so massive both eyes could not fit behind the entrance at the same time. That didn't make any sense. Beside, the tunnel was filled in with bricks and Earth. This thing, whatever it was, simply could not be inside the tunnel based on the massive scale of the few features I did see.

"What do we have here? An odd pair to be sure." The voice was low and booming. I smelled putrid breath as it spoke and I forced myself not to react. "An unfinished stone and a human. Not just a human. One that is also unfinished. A human that can never fully be a..."

I felt rage replace my fear of this creature. It took one look at me and saw something I desperately tried to hide and refused to talk about unless absolutely necessary. I was ready to try and kill this thing with my bare hands but Nick stopped the both of us. Without his face changing he grabbed the back of my shirt to drag me back when I wasn't even aware I had taken a step forward, ready for a fight.

"Don't listen to it. It's only trying to get you worked up. It's in their nature." He said, but it didn't help me calm down.

"What he said, half rock, and half human. They're only words." The creature spoke with a cruel laugh afterwards.

"Nick, can I borrow your sword?" I asked loud enough for the tunnel beast to hear.

Nick's sword wasn't visible but I knew it was there. He wouldn't go on a case trying to find a monster unharmed.

"Skyler, please don't kill the Bridge Troll." Nick replied in such a matter of fact tone it snapped me from my fighting mood.

I looked from him to the dark tunnel with only the one eye staring back. This massive thing was a Troll? It was under a bridge so that was understandable. I crossed my arms, not happy about not being able to do anything, but I let Nick speak.

"We are looking for the one killing homeless men in this city. One of which may have been taken from this park. I was hoping you saw something." Nick said and gestured towards the bag containing the other jar of eggs in my hand.

"I may have. But who cares. They're just trash. Not worth the time. At least their death provided some creature some fun."

I felt my neck get hot and wanted to smash the jar of eggs. I didn't know if this thing was just saying things to piss us off or if he really thought like this. If my sister didn't take me in after my parents kicked me out, I might have ended up as these men only much worse. We both worked ourselves down to the bone to pay rent and have enough to eat. We got lucky. The men that were killed could be on the streets for all sorts of reasons they couldn't control. I was not going to stand and listen to this thing insult eight people who died through no fault of their own.

Nick was also offended. Because of his lack of expression I didn't know it until he drew his sword, the delicate thing making a musical sound as it appeared. Holding it out, he stared at the tunnel with his eyes blank and hand steady.

"If that's the truth, then the same goes for yourself. If those men are trash only worth entertainment in death, then a Troll no one cares for can provide the same."

We all fell silent. I could feel the air press in around my shoulders and it suddenly felt hotter than before. It was impossible to read Nick's intentions. I honestly thought he was going to go through with killing it until he placed his sword back into the hilt and it faded from sight.

"I brought you eggs in exchange for information. I am looking for the killer of these men. They are not trash. They're people. You're a Troll with a terrible personality but I can still respect you enough to make a basic exchange."