3.

At eighteen years of age Jerry Grady went off to college with no particular ambitions for what he may like to do once out in the workplace of the big bad world. A suggestion had been made to him that he could take on a psychology course if for no other reason than it may aid him understand his own world to some degree then put him in position to pass it on.

There is nothing wrong with his own world as far as he is concern though instead of taking offence to such a suggestion or to get angry about it, he actually did consider it. In fact, he more than considered the suggestion; he flat out went with it. Psychology, now there is a thing, something he never considered before and yeah, at the very least the course should be ... interesting. If he doesn't go into psychology, then perhaps it may begin to send him down a path to something else. If only he could know of the path he is already on.

The lecturer of this psychology course he would take part in so happens to be a certain Professor Patrick Dunne, someone Jerry right from the get-go would struggle with believing is a professor with this Patrick Dunne fellow looking as young as Jerry does. This professor fellow, to Jerry, surely does not look all so much older than Jerry himself. In six years' time from when such a course begins, Professor Patrick Dunne has a role to play in something he otherwise would not believe if he did not witness himself.

The lecture on one day in particular deals with known repetitive killers. It discusses social and behavioral development and the likes of cognition, recognition, motivation, and communication and goes on to link in with regular and non-regular social interaction of those known who kill. Jerry is intrigued. What can make a man not only kill but go on to do it multiple times, perhaps even repetitively?

There are apparent signs that can be followed, apparent behaviour patterns that can be predicted with accuracy, profiling, and the likes especially to be use against those who kill really is something. The decision to take this class indeed was a good one and one Jerry is certainly glad he made. He hangs back after this day's lecture ends as he has a few questions he would like to put to the Professor.

'Professor ...' Jerry says still finding it a little difficult to call the man before him Professor.

'Yes Jerry, how can I help you?'

The room is still clearing out and Patrick Dunne would rather not hang around much longer than he has to though at the same time he wants to interact with the students, especially those who show a serious interest in the class.

'Can I ask ...?' Jerry begins while wishing the room would clear out a little faster than what it is. He feels somewhat uneasy with what is on his mind. He also takes notice of a young lady who takes a little longer than she could to exit the class and he notices her throwing a glance his way before she goes through the room's one and only door.

'Oh' responds the Professor noticing the shared glance. 'That is Eve Gretski, she is Canadian ya know. I don't really give social tips to students as to how they might interact with others especially the ladies but ...'

'Oh no ... you got it wrong. She is a nice girl and all but what I want to ask has nothing to do with ... well. Your class today ... is it possible, really possible for someone to commit ... ya know ... crime, murder without actually knowing what they are doing or with not having any memory of it after it has been done.'

'Oh yes of course. It doesn't have to be something harmful like murder. There are many recorded cases of people getting into their own cars and driving for many miles, sometimes hundreds of miles at a time and having absolutely no recollection of doing so upon waking the following day ... so doing something as you suggest can happen.'

'Is it possible that such people could be doing these things under instruction, like being told to do so by something perhaps ... malevolent?'

'Like from something supernatural? A demon perhaps ... no, I don't believe in such things and I am yet to be convinced of the likes of hypnotism either ... I believe people can be susceptible to suggestion to some degree but being influenced to murder ... now dual personalities, dissociative identity disorders, these things have been proven. It can be like your left hand not knowing what your right hand is doing. I can give you a reading list if you would like some further reading ...'

'Sure ... these disorders, they can usually be brought on by some sort of trauma, would I be correct in say that?'

'Usually yes, though not always ...'

The list, once complete, is handed over, Jerry accepts more out of being nice than actually wanting a reading list. 'Thanks' he says anyway upon receiving said list.

'Not a problem' the Professor says with a smile.

The Professor moves on, he clearly has things to do and places to be so Jerry will it be for the moment. He may or may continue such a conversation with the Professor at another time. Upon exiting the room, a question comes Jerry's way. 'So, what's that all about?' Eve Gretski inquires, referring to Jerry's conversation with the Professor. It would appear she was purposely waiting for him.

'Uh ...' Jerry begins to respond while still moving away from the room and looking round to make sure the question was really asked of him as he and Eve have never spoken to one another before this day and the question seemed to come as if they have been good friends for some time. Yeah, there have been glances between the two before now though this time is the first time they have spoken, and it does come as somewhat of a surprise to Jerry.

'... Eh ... nothing really' Jerry continues. 'I just had some questions for the professor is all.'

'He is a nice guy and I'm sure he was helpful though isn't he a little young to be a professor.'

'I have thought that exact same thing more than once ...'Jerry says with a smile and Eve smiles back.

Connection made ... if such had been intended to be made.

'So where to now?'

'Eh ...'

'I know a place if you don't mind me tagging along or rather you tagging along with me ...'

'Sure' why not? Jerry doesn't have anywhere else he particularly needs to be.

This Eve girl, a bit pushy though nice all the same and pretty too, in more ways than one, Jerry will want to keep an eye on her from here in.