In the completely dark prison corridor, security personnel equipped with night-vision goggles were pushing a heavy cage forward.
The tires, rolling over the smooth ceramic floor, produced a dull noise, while the sound of the shackles clinking against the bars of the cage was like intermittent moans.
The corridor was devoid of any light or windows, it was an entirely enclosed dark space. Hence, without any night vision equipment, one would be blind.
Once again, the cage entered a lift, where there were no buttons or controls. Everything was remotely controlled.
The transfer process was eerily silent, raising an air of horror. Not the prisoners, but the guards, who understood the implications of such severe transportation measures, were afraid.
Silence, silence, and more silence. The humming noise of the elevator in operation was not drowned out by any other sounds. The elevator door opened and the escort team continued to advance until they reached a unique door.
Finally, there was a sliver of light. This door was extraordinary. It was not a standard single door, but two gates, like a gridded entrance. At the top of the door was a red light, which provided a faint glow.
One half of the large doorway was opened. The cage was once again directed towards it. The escort guards repeated the same process but when Shiller stepped into this unique room, across the long table in the centre, he saw William Dennys Jetter
But Shiller did not fixate on him. Instead, he looked over him towards the wall behind him.
Although the wall was empty, Shiller's gaze pierced through the camouflage and focused on the group of observers behind it.
"He can see us," Davis said out loud.
In the dimly lit room, rows of cinema-like seats were set up, descending gradually from front to back.
This time, Davis was not seated in the central seat. Instead, the central seat in the first row was occupied by a slender, black woman.
"Of course he can see us," said the African-American woman, her voice low and sharp, with an edge of complex emotions.
"I've long admired the name Shiller Rodriguez, not just as a renowned psychologist. Perhaps, you would like to hear about his other life?"
Interested, Davis turned to the African-American woman and said, "Amanda, it's not the time for games. We are all curious as to why you chose Shiller."
Davis turned back around, peering through the one-way glass into the room. He stroked his chin and said, "I know you've taken on a lot of pressure for this. Many people didn't want you to do this. You've put a lot on the line for Shiller."
"The intellectuals who were aware of this plan didn't agree with it. They thought it was a challenge to their class."
"When Shiller got involved in the Central American incident, many people wanted him to disappear. You went to considerable lengths to save him."
"We're all curious, what is it about him that you value so much?"
"You all know him as a renowned psychologist. But what you may not know is that he spent his younger years traveling all over the world, tracking down serial killers, observing and studying them," said Amanda.
"Perhaps, he sought to root out these cancerous cells born within the human society. He wanted to find the answer to this unsolvable problem." Amanda, with her eyes narrowed, said so.
"As he observed serial killers, I was observing him. For decades, through relentless pursuit, he established a club for serial killers, became their master, their god, their shepherd."
Amanda slowly closed her eyes, her stoic face lit by the sudden burst of light in the room in front of her. She opened her mouth and said, "But to me, he was always a criminal, not a ruler, and certainly not a qualified shepherd."
"I know he is trying to control those criminals. But the way he controls them is by having these madmen chase an even madder person, making them see him as a towering figure that they are forever trying to climb and surpass."
"But this is not an effective method." Amanda gently shook her head and continued, "When he's around, they are quiet out of admiration for him. But when he's gone, those who have chased after him, all dream of replacing him."
"The shepherd is a person, not a sheep. They cannot mingle with them. They cannot let these inherently vicious madmen think their master is one of them."
"To become a true shepherd, they must feel the bone-deep pain. Whether or not the shepherd uses his whip, they will always remain terrified and panicky with no thoughts of rebellion."
"That's what you're trying to do right now, isn't it?" Davis said, looking at Amanda.
Amanda neither confirmed nor denied it, she simply focused on the room and said, "Nothing proves my point better than having a lamb dressed as a god, bow its proud head."