he jumped when he caught sight of
      an old man with a pipe
watching him from the entrance of the alley.
he covered his fear by threatening
      to kill the old man as well.
The hunched figure just laughed.

      "i am not here for you,"
the stranger said.
     "i am here for the girl."

the old man stooped,
picked up the mutilated body, and
      threw it over his shoulder.
he began walking toward the lake.

he followed the old man,
      not knowing why.

"you do not want to follow where
i am going, boy."