After sitting with the uncomfortable silence for some time and the uneasy feeling of an opportunity slipping through its fingers, the beast, in its desperation for freedom, cuts into the silence with the tale of its origin.

Infinite darkness, interrupted by a ungodly growl and thunderous grumble, a burst of star fire rips across the sky. Rocks splinter in a trail of inferno, crashing to the surface creating canyons and cliffs, peaks high and valleys low. Not long after this I was sent here, a punishment for something I cannot remember nor reason. Only the feelings of hate and anger stays with me but to who and why I do not know.

My prison, stones like the one you held, each keep a piece of myself, pieces separated and scattered on impact which sent pockets of gunfire popping sounds rippling for miles and miles into the distance, a calling to any life on the planet but none answered. It was too soon. So I waited in the rubble, but before man there was water, the water that would push the rubble of stones across the earth, resting them on the banks of rivers, edges of lakes and coasts of oceans that gradually formed. Beached, waiting to be found, hundreds of smooth black stones like no other on this planet.

It is with great shame I admit to not remembering the name of the first person to find me. I don't remember most. Given my situation, where I have a lot of time to think and not much time to talk, their names and faces blur into one another as I focus on what's next, and what comes after that, all leading to the ultimate goal, my escape, freedom.

All I ever wanted was to live, breathe, feel something and, eventually, bit by bit, I collected the tokens from those who had no longer wished to use them. All they felt was a dull numbing sensation because they never used what they had, what I wanted and worked for, centuries of watching man turn to beast, wishing for a vessel of my own to journey through life, explore tangible senses and feelings, good and bad, what it's like to be mortal, normal.

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On a camping trip some twenty years ago, you found one of these black stones laying just below the surface. Although not as pure and polished as the one you held earlier, that stone you found, held onto for just a moment before throwing it into a lake, was one of mine. In doing this you summoned my presence, unknown to you, and I have been here ever since, waiting for the right moment to acknowledge our connection and make my offer to you.

From our time spent together I have discovered you and I are quite similar. We both feel trapped, isolated and helpless despite our best efforts although for me it is less of a feeling and more an actuality.

And what is the price for freedom? For you it is your tongue, for me it is centuries of searching, collecting tokens from willing participants, countless rejections, watching the worst of man commit awful acts in my name, some of which you've seen but there are worse. I'm guilty by association and unfortunately it is a necessary evil in search for my own freedom. There are no other alternatives for me, well, just one, and that would be to do nothing at all, to not even try. I could sit still and accept my situation and say it is what it is but there's something in us that we have to fight against, a need for more even though we may already have enough.

The only bright spot for me is a moment like this, where I can help genuinely honest and good people such as yourself. I can give you anything you want.

Nev puffs his cheeks in exhaustion.

I don't want anything.

And I can give you that!

The beast is relentless. It didn't get far just to fall at the last hurdle.

Be in a world of your own. No work, no bills, no forced socializing. The freedom to do as you please, when and however you want.

What if I want to change my mind, change the situation I live in, where I am and who I live with?

It's your story Nev. You change it as many times as you like and what suits you at any given time.

Should I accept, would I age and die?

Naturally, as all things do, given enough time.

And what would happen after that?

The ultimate question, but trust me, it's not worth worrying about. You have much time to yet live young Nev and the potential to spend that time in the way you see best.

The dam has broken and buckled under a restless pressure. The beast has its man and the missing piece to release itself into our world with only the formalities to conclude.