# get the distance between the monster and player
dist = math.hypot(pX - mX, pY - mY)

if dist > 1.5 and dist < 10:

    # make an 'array' grid to store updated distances in
    goto = np.full((3, 3), 10, dtype=float)

    # if each position in the array passes a
    # collision check, add each new distance

    if collisionCheck(mID, (mX-1), (mY-1), mMap) == 0:
        goto[0][0] = round(math.hypot(pX - (mX-1), pY - (mY-1)), 1)

    if collisionCheck(mID, mX, (mY-1), mMap) == 0:
        goto[0][1] = round(math.hypot(pX - mX, pY - (mY-1)), 1)

    if collisionCheck(mID, (mX+1), (mY-1), mMap) == 0:
        goto[0][2] = round(math.hypot(pX - (mX+1), pY - (mY-1)), 1)

    if collisionCheck(mID, (mX-1), mY, mMap) == 0:
        goto[1][0] = round(math.hypot(pX - (mX-1), pY - mY), 1)

    # goto[1][1] is skipped since that is the monsters current position

    if collisionCheck(mID, (mX+1), mY, mMap) == 0:
        goto[1][2] = round(math.hypot(pX - (mX+1), pY - mY), 1)

    if collisionCheck(mID, (mX-1), (mY+1), mMap) == 0:
        goto[2][0] = round(math.hypot(pX - (mX-1), pY - (mY+1)), 1)

    if collisionCheck(mID, mX, (mY+1), mMap) == 0:
        goto[2][1] = round(math.hypot(pX - mX, pY - (mY+1)), 1)

    if collisionCheck(mID, (mX+1), (mY+1), mMap) == 0:
        goto[2][2] = round(math.hypot(pX - (mX+1), pY - (mY+1)), 1)

    # get the lowest distance, and its key
    lowest = goto.min()
    lowestKey = goto.argmin()

    # if the lowest distance is lower than monsters current position, move

    if lowest < dist:
            if lowestKey == 0:
                    newX = mX - 1
                    newY = mY - 1

            if lowestKey == 1:
                    newY = mY - 1

            if lowestKey == 2:
                    newX = mX + 1
                    newY = mY - 1

            if lowestKey == 3:
                    newX = mX - 1

            if lowestKey == 5:
                    newX = mX + 1

            if lowestKey == 6:
                    newY = mY + 1
                    newX = mX - 1

            if lowestKey == 7:
                    newY = mY + 1

            if lowestKey == 8:
                    newX = mX + 1
                    newY = mY + 1