They say shadows inhabited the world long before men ever came to exists. Shadows like those that appeared that fateful day years ago when the blistering winds marked the sacrifices that would one day heal the world. The shadows once again have begun to creep along the walls, waiting for the perfect moment to return.

Sometimes I wonder how long it will be until you find me. How long will it take before my world is upside down, twisted, and taking me down with it. So I sit and stare afraid to leave the safety of this hole I have dug for myself. Every day passes the same way, in silence, complete and utter silence. Why did I leave? I can’t remember anymore. Perhaps to find you. Could I have been so careless? I’d die here either of starvation or you would find me. Soon you would find me, soon.

I shifted my feet underneath myself and dropped down onto the cold stone. How long had I been hiding here? I held my hands up in front of my face and waved them around vigorously. I couldn’t see them, which caused me to sigh in relief, the darkness gave me some kind of comfort. But I couldn’t stay here forever. Soon you’d check the dungeon just like every other room. I leaned forward to my knees and slowly pushed myself up off the ground. I moved to the edge of the cell, still hidden by the overwhelming darkness, and peered around the corner.

It was a straight corridor that suddenly veered sharply around a right turn, lit only by the lanterns that swung idly over my head. I continued to stare at that corner wondering whether or not to take my chance and run for the door to my right. I turned my head to stare that way and frowned. I wasn’t sure what was behind that door anyway, but I had to get out of the dungeon. It was the ideal place to corner someone and I did not want to be that someone. There was no way to guarantee when someone would come around that corner and in my current condition I couldn’t out run much. I reached in my pocket, grabbing the keys I had successfully lifted off a rather drunk guard. The keys jingled softly nearly covering up the sound of metal hitting stone. I held them tautly in my grasp and listened with rapt attention. Metal scratched against stone every now and again hitting a dip or raise, which made it sing out, echoing in the dungeon.

My gaze shot to the corridor once more as I pushed harshly against the bars of the cell, sending me stumbling out into the open. I hit the far wall and angrily dragged myself upright as I limped quickly toward the huge iron door. My fingers fumbled with the keys when I fell against the cold iron. I glanced wearily over my shoulder when silence filled my ears. Silence and then, running. My heart began to throb, filling my ears with the pounding ache of terror as I tried to focus on the keys. My hands trembled as I tried to force in every one of keys in my grasp and shot quick glances over my shoulder. The footsteps grew louder, closer as I dropped the ring to the ground, cursing. I stumbled to the left falling into another cell and stared at the keys just out of my reach. I hit the ground hard and crawled back into a dark corner, pulling in my left leg as I watched a shadow creeping across the bars towards me. My fingers sunk into the deep gash causing me to bite down on my tongue. This was not helping. My breathing grew heavy in an attempt to calm the pain and caught in my throat as a large black boot passed by my right. I was too close to the light. I tried to push myself back, but my muscles were frozen. Black-gloved fingers touched the ring of keys and lifted them as the boots turned back. He led the long slender blade of his sword to rest on his shoulder and stepped forward.

“Come out, come out wherever you are… Shawn.”

I whined under a sigh and heard him turn sharply toward the noise. I covered my mouth with both hands trying to mask my deep, ragged breathing. Those same black boots came into vision making my stomach turn in nausea. There was no way out, except past him. He started forward and suddenly stopped, turning back ever so slightly. I suddenly felt a knot welling up in the back of my throat as he knelt down in front of me. My chest rose and fell spastically as murderous red eyes locked with my fear-filled ones. I felt tears burning in my eyes and I pushed myself backward in the cell away from him. He smiled softly and leaned his forehead against one of the cool bars. He extended his hand through the bar and gripped tightly to my ankle.

“Hello, Shawn.”

Chapter 1

“He’s headed your way Shawn!”

A finger taped the earpiece lightly as the individual sighed. Why did this always happen to him? He listened intently for the static voice that once again attempted to warn him that the target was headed his way. He frowned, pulling the gun from underneath his overcoat and stepped out into the open. A single bullet shot from the barrel and imbedded itself in the man’s leg. He fell forward, crying out in pain as a shadow shot behind him in the far distance. Shawn cursed as he moved forward and lifted one of the downed man’s arms and handcuffed him to a nearby sewage pipe. He continued past him and ran out in front of a girl that almost slammed into his back.

“His buddy suddenly popped up out of nowhere.” Her voice was breaking up from her attempt to catch her breath.

“Right. You head back up the way I came and make sure he doesn’t get out into the main street, I’ll follow him.”

“Got it.” she ran up the alley and grinned when she passed the male groaning on the ground. “Nice shot, Shawn.” She muttered into her earpiece as she rounded the corner and started down the main street.

Shawn smiled as he pushed himself to run faster now able to see the figure ahead of him. He slowed to a walk when he heard a twig snap behind him. He spun around aiming quickly and frowned when the alley was empty. He shook off the shiver rising up his spine and continued to chase the man not far ahead. He passed a side alley his eyes catching a glimpse of a figure standing at the end. He turned to stare down the alleyway to see it empty again except for a shadow climbing slowly up the back wall. He cried out in pain and turned to look at his shoulder and the fresh blood that rolled down his arm. He spun around and stared at the dagger that lay at his feet. He leant to pick it up and quickly flipped down the mouthpiece on his headset.

“Mary?” Silence. “Mary! Meredith!”

“Yes! What is it?” her voice came out annoyed and slightly bored sounding.

“Watch your back. There’s someone else in the alley.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. But whoever he is, he’s got good aim.” He lifted the torn fabric of his shirt.

“What? What happened?”

“He’s getting away! Just keep your eyes open!” Shawn fired a shot causing the man ahead of him to duck and turn running straight toward Mary. “Coming your way, Mary.”

“Got him.”

Shawn listened for the gunshot and when he heard it he nodded in triumph. They had gotten two in one night. Not many teams could do that. He started walking towards the main street when he heard a shrill scream causing him to take off into a run. He rounded the corner as his eyes widened and his legs felt weak. He stared at the character that was leaning over Meredith. A large black boot sat on one side of her still body and the person’s other knee was planted firmly on her ribs. Red eyes peered out from behind the gray fringe as the male rose calmly to his feet and sauntered forward, unfolding his arms from behind his back. He slipped a bloody dagger under Shawn’s throat as he slammed him into the wall behind them. Shawn pinched his eyes shut as the blade moved closer and quickly pressed the barrel of his gun to the man’s stomach.

“Bad form. Using a gun, I see. Like a thrill? I respect that.” The voice came out low, deep almost past the extent of melancholic as he withdrew.

Shawn glanced sideways at Meredith for a brief second and turned back to find himself alone as he slid down the wall to the floor. His mind wandered to the fiery red eyes that had been staring at him as he touched the thin cut that ran across his throat. He knew the minute he touched it that had the man had desired it, he would be dead right now. So, why wasn’t he? His eyes trailed to where Mary lay as he staggered up to his feet and rushed to her side. He knelt down beside her and smiled when her chest rose with a subtle breath.

“Hang in there, Mary.” He quickly picked her up off the floor and returned to his car. This job would just have to wait.

He rushed inside the base calling out the name that came first to his mind, Robin. He charged down the blanche hallways when he saw a young man approaching from his right. This tall character was wearing a white lab coat and carrying a board with him. He stared at Mary and motioned for Shawn to follow him as they made their way into the medical wing. Shawn slowly placed Mary down onto the offered bed and stared at her in fear as the doctor pushed him aside. He was quickly rushed out of the room by a group of nurses as they began to hook her up to a heart monitor. He dropped uneasily into the seat outside and leaned his head into his blood-covered palms.

Shawn spanned his fingers when he heard approaching footsteps and stared at the black shoes that came into his view. He pulled his head up leading it to the black suit that fit the woman’s curves loosely as his eyes locked with steely blue ones. She was glowering down at him and a disappointed frown adorned her thinned lips. Her long dirt blonde hair was pulled away from her face revealing every line of disgust and anger. Her arms were folded placidly behind her back, however, which meant she was waiting for an explanation.

“There was someone else in the alley and-”

“I don’t care who else was in that alley. Your job was clear. Return with Sanders. Not even both of the men, just one and you couldn’t even do that.” Her frown deepened.

“Meredith was dying!”

“Since when has your title included doctor? Perhaps I was mistaken in bringing in a child.”

“No!” Shawn started at these words, but immediately fell silent.

“Then do your job! The job comes before everyone else! Do you think Meredith would have done the same for you?”

Silence.

“I asked you a question, Shawn.”

“No ma’am.” He could not bring himself to meet her eyes.

“Because she knows how important this job is! Where were you when it happened?”

“Pardon?”

“Where were you? Because of your carelessness we very well could have lost one of our best! Where were you?” she glanced down at his shocked look and suddenly massaged her temples. “Just don’t let it happen again.” she slowly walked into the room and motioned for Shawn to follow her.

They stepped inside hearing the flat line of a heart monitor as Shawn’s head fell in shame. He could feel eyes watching him as he leaned against the far wall. The monitor still sung out in one solid tone as he stared at her hand that lay off the edge of the table. It was as if the noise would follow him even into dreams. He turned away from the body and met the heavy glare that settled on his slumped frame.

“I’ll be seeing you in my office, Shawn. Immediately.”

Shawn slowly opened the large double doors and stepped inside the office to see her staring at him. He moved in when she pointed to the seat in front of her and slowly sat down. She stared at him in silence for a long time and finally leaned her head into her hand.

“Robin, I-”

“It’s McClane, got it? You are to never call me Robin unless we are out of this building.” She sounded weak and tired.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Who else was with you in that alley?”

“I don’t know ma’am he had gray hair and red eyes though.”

She dropped her head into her open palms as she quickly recovered and looked back at him.

“Red eyes?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” He averted his gaze when she sighed heavily and laughed in disbelief.

“Have you ever heard of a man named Hayden?”

Shawn slowly shook his head and continued to stare at her.

“Well he’s your next assignment.” She slowly stood from behind her desk and threw off the blazer around her shoulders. She pulled a file out of the top drawer and passed it across the table to him. “Hayden has connections with many of the organizations in this city. Perhaps he would have some kind of idea who this mysterious man was. In the least he could point you to another source. It wont be easy finding him, but once you have tell him you work for me and he should be quite open.”

“Miss McClane, I don’t have a partner.”

“Your new partner, Aaryn, is finishing up his vacation as we speak. He’ll be waiting for you at the town square. His file is clipped to the back of Hayden’s. Don’t worry if you can’t find him, he’ll find you.”

Large, brown eyes turned to the ceiling as a thunderous crack echoed in the small church. She cried out in fear and covered her head as the recently thatched roof caved inward, dropping an limp body into the middle of a bed of flowers. She held her arms out to keep the children away from the gasping form as the male slowly tried to push himself away from the debris and smashed camomile under him. He collapsed back into the puddle of blood as she reached over and turned him onto his back to see weak, sapphire blue, watching her in confusion. He whispered a name before his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

A body shot upright in the bed and gripped immediately at the wound now covered in gauze. His gaze shot rapidly and eradicably around the room, finally landing on the girl standing in the doorway. She was in all white, but her striking red hair was pulled back in a black bow.

“Where am I?”

“Safe. This is my orphanage.”

He stumbled out of the bed, brushing back thin lines of blood that brightened his pale lips. “I’ll decide if I’m safe or not.”

“You shouldn’t be standing!”

The young girl rushed to his aid, her delicate hands lowering him gently back to sit on the bed as he brushed her away. He glanced up into her face, watching her dirt brown eyes as they watched him. It was like staring into mud. Long eyelashes folded back onto themselves where they brushed against pure white skin and even her lips were a very light hue of pink. He would have guessed she was a ghost had she not touched him.

“Why am I still alive?”

“To be honest I do not know. Someone out there must be looking after you.”

“Or someone out there really hates me. So where am I? And where is my shirt?” She flung a black shirt into his face which he hurriedly put on. “And my things?”

She walked around him, gaze following him like a hawk’s might its prey. She finally stopped to stare in his face and smiled when his gaze rested on her. He sighed and turned his peering eyes on the child standing in the doorway as he felt the bandages through the cloth. He walked over to the side of the bed and slipped his feet into his boots, spying his jacket sitting on a chair near the bed. He grabbed it and swung on the knee length black coat, zipping it as he brushed past the girl. He glared down at the child’s wide eyes that were locked on him and moved out into the church. He saw a group of children running from all corners as he dodged their curious stares and questions, with a blank face. He walked up to the large double doors, leading out of the makeshift orphanage and barely opened the one of the left, letting it swing back in the woman’s face. She stared in shock at the door and jumped when it opened again.

“I suspect you have my weapons. I’ll be back for them, but I have to find my bike first.”

He moved out into the open street looking first to his left and then too his right. He shook his head and peered up to see dilapidated buildings and debris, hanging, suspended in nothing but air over him. He watched the woman passing by him with a bouquet of roses held out to him as he waved her off. He massaged his forehead and then began a gradual climb of a hill into the city. The city itself was shadowed entirely by a huge building that shot so far into the sky he could not see the top. It had rings of floors on it and the lowest floor was suspended directly over the church he had come from. He approached its base and scrunched his face up as he met a fence encircling it. Just Beyond the fence was what he presumed to be his motorcycle. He wasn’t certain however, at this moment all he knew was he had a motorcycle, somewhere out here in this town. He held up the keys and read the make and then peered at the bike. It was likely to be a match.

His fingers locked down on the fence as he shook it violently. He leaned back, peering up to the top of it and growled in annoyance. He began his slow ascent over the fence and swung his body up over the top, dropping to the ground on the other side. He stood up, gripping his stomach in pain and coughed, covering his mouth. He shot upright when he heard footsteps to his side and quickly spun on the approaching person. A teenage boy was leaning against the fence and he had a wide smirk plastered on his face.

“Is she yours, superman?”

“Pardon?” He watched the boy walk over to the bike, feeling its curves.

“You could have walked through the gate you know.” He pointed to the opening and laughed when the male narrowed his eyes on the swinging gate. “Is this motorcycle yours?”

“I hope so.”

“You hope so? Had a rough night?”

“I think so.” He walked over to the bike and slid his hand along the bars his finger slipping over a button that he pushed. Two shelves popped out on the side of the bike, holding row after row of guns. He reached down grabbing a revolver and flipped open the cylinder for rounds. He kicked the sides back and spun the cylinder in.

“Whoa, a motorcycle and guns. Who are you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Got a death wish?”

“Looks like it.” He placed the revolver under his belt and got onto the bike.

“You going somewhere?”

“Are we playing twenty questions? Or are you just generally this dangerously curious?”

“Probably the second. But really you’ll get yourself killed.” The kid held out his hand and raised and eyebrow when the male on the bike merely stared at it. “My name’s Matthew. You can call me Matt.”

Blue eyes were covered by a pair of sunglasses as he started the bike and shot out of the area, throwing the gate back and off its hinges in passing. Matthew stared at the disappearing bike and smirked as he knelt to grab a bouquet of flowers he had bought on his way over. He started his gradual walk back to his sister, Marian, she would be angry when he returned after an entire night, but flowers always seemed to lighten her spirits. Besides she had too many other people to look after besides himself. He walked into the church, picking Marcus, his cousin, up as he passed the boy and spun him in a large circle before returning him to his feet. Sarah, the youngest of the group, ran up to him with her arms spread wide as he stooped to grab her. He lifted her up onto his shoulders and moved into the kitchen to find Marian over a pot of stew. She turned around when she heard footsteps behind her and glared at him. He set Sarah down and ushered her and the other children out of the kitchen.

“Matthew Faith Brooks! Where have you been?”

The door swung shut leaving them to their privacy as Sarah ran over to play with the other girls. The church door was pushed open, drawing the attention of the children as a male in all black stepped over their games. He grumbled darkly as Marcus got to his feet, following him with a slew of questions. He could hear arguing coming from a room to his right so he turned, slipping back behind Marcus and confusing the boy. He opened the door and walked into the kitchen, staring at the two as Matthew offered the flowers to Marian who scolded him as she took them. She then glanced over at the male in the doorway and smiled sweetly.

“Well what do you know, it’s superman.” Matthew greeted.

“Where are my things?”

“Fine, ignore me.” Matthew walked over to the stew and lifted the ladle, watching the liquid fall back into the pan.

“Hello again, Sir! Why don’t you join us for lunch?”

“No. I just want my things.”

“You really are in no condition to be moving around like you are.” She smacked Matthew’s hand causing him to walk away petting his abused skin as he watched the unknown character in their kitchen with raised eyebrows.

“I did not ask you that. I want my belongings. What are you doing? Stop circling me like a hawk.” His eyes had snapped to Matthew who suddenly shot forward, hugging him and reopening the wound on his stomach. He doubled in pain and coughed violently, blood lining his lips.

“See? You don’t need to be out in this condition.”

The male pushed him to arm’s length and pulled a dagger from his belt all in a split second. He gripped his stomach in pain and held the blade up against Matthew’s throat. Marian immediately moved in between the two, lowering the weapon by force. She glanced from one to the other and then felt a sticky wet substance under her hand that was holding the male back. She turned on him and brushed his hand aside, lifting his shirt to see the bandages turning a bright red. She dropped the ladle in the stew and led him back to his bed, which he did not protest. Matthew smiled as he walked back over to the stew, stirring it. He glanced down at the keys that were now in his hand and left the church.

Stiff arms supported him as Marian tried to lay him back on the bed, but his body refused to give way to her as he twitched. He brushed off her helping hand and lowered himself onto the pillow when he heard the sound of a motorcycle starting up in an empty alley. He sat bolt upright, glaring when she tried to protest and pushed her off him. He walked quickly through the church and threw open the door, coughing up blood as he leaned on the frame. He cursed as a motorcycle disappeared in a dust cloud. He turned to see Marian standing beside him as he threw his coat back on and wiped the blood off his chin.

“Where would he be going?”

“I don’t know.”

“Where!” He winced but his eyes remained determined.

“There is a town about sixty miles north of here, he might have gone-”

He charged out of the building and walked down the street. Matthew shot out of the electric fence that surrounded the city as he placed the gate key back into his back pocket that he had pinched off a drunk a few nights ago. The bike crunched over gravel as he barreled out from under the arched gateway that led into the glass covered highway. On the other side beyond the glass was desert and beyond that was the small town with an alchemist who could make the medicine his sister needed. He pulled off at his first chance, not seeing the male who stood on the bridge over him. A black glove tightened around the tracker in his hand as he watched the bike rip through desert. He glanced over his shoulder and shook his head as he pointed back toward the city. He motioned one car of the six to follow the motorcycle as the jeep barreled down out onto the highway.

Blue eyes followed the movement of the mechanic working on the only car he had seen in the entire city. When the elderly man walked back into his shop he ducked down, slipping into the front seat. He sunk low, coughing and pulling wires free, sparking the engine into a low purr. He pulled out of the shop waving to the man who ran out into the street after him. Matthew glanced over his shoulder seeing a jeep running dangerously closely behind him. He cursed under his breath and turned his gaze forward to see someone straddling a bike in the road just ahead of him. A gun was aimed at him and three shots later the bike fell on its side, spinning out and leaving Matthew to roll to a stop. A black boot landed beside his face and when he lifted his eyes all he could make out were the white and black wisps of hair shadowing a unamused smile.

“You are not Aaryn.”

“No, can’t say I am.” He could feel his shoulder pop back into place when the male kicked him over and then dug his heel into his shoulder.

“Do you know where he is?”

“I don’t even know an Aaryn.”

“He’s the owner of this bike.” The male pointed at the bike and shot one of the mirrors out,

“Oh, you mean superman.”

He flashed a toothy grin, leaning down on the ball of his foot. Matthew cried out in pain as the male arched an eyebrow, “Superman?”

“A nickname.” His clenched teeth slurred the words and he gagged when the male pushed down harder.

He checked his watch and frowned when he realized he had already wasted thirty minutes on the boy under his foot and suddenly sighed, “Give him my regards. The name is Seth.”

Matthew rolled onto his back as the male got back onto his bike and motioned the jeep to follow him. He dropped his arms out beside himself and breathed in relief as he heard a car pulling up beside his accident. He sat upright and waved to the man who approached him.

“Hey, superman.”

“What happened to you?” He helped Matthew up off the ground and pulled the bike upright. “What happened to my bike?”

“Seth happened.”

“Seth? Who is Seth?” He patted the shattered mirror and groaned as he picked up a piece of glass.

“I was hoping you could tell me. He seemed to think you would know who he was.”

“Not a clue.”

“Hey Superman?” Matthew watched as the male got onto his motorcycle and whined about the mirror.

“Yeah?”

“I need to go to the harbor. My sister’s medications are there.”

“Get on. That car is as good as dead anyway.” He glanced over his shoulder at Matthew who climbed on behind him and shot out of the area, towards the small town.

The motorcycle slowed to a stop outside of the church as Matthew got off the back of the bike thanking the supposed Aaryn a few times before running inside. Blue eyes glanced down to his wounded stomach as he lifted the corner of his shirt and immediately dropped it. The gauze was a bright red and not even a patch of white was left. He kicked the stand down and slowly got off the bike, holding his side as he walked over to the door. He pushed it open and stopped, staring into the room with wide eyes. Matthew was standing directly ahead of him and Marian was looking between the two with her head cocked to the side and her brow furrowed. She held up her hand and smiled at the two.

“This is Seth. He stopped in from a road trip, admiring the architecture and didn’t realize it was now an orphanage. I invited him to stay for lunch.”

“Seth? Is that?”

Matthew nodded and Seth’s eyes moved to the male standing in the doorway as he rose from where he was crouched next to a young girl on the ground. He held a lily down to the girl at his feet and smiled when she thanked him incessantly and then ran to show the flower to Marian.

“Hello Aaryn.”

“Aaryn?” Marian pushed the child’s hand down slightly as she looked at Seth in confusion. The small girl moved behind her left leg, fingers holding onto the bottom of her shirt as she glanced up at her. “Your name is Aaryn?”

“It would appear that way, wouldn’t it?”

Aaryn’s gaze followed Seth as the young male moved across the room. He leaned over one of the benches as two swords suddenly appeared on either side of his body one facing back and down the other across his chest. He shot forward barely giving time for Aaryn to move as he dropped into a crouch to dodge the strike at neck level. Seth skidded to a halt, circling the blades back behind him and using the momentum to push into a low run. Aaryn dodged as a blade was pulled forward, flicking out to the left. Aaryn grabbed for the Revolver under his belt and fired the single shot, sending one sword flying.

Marian covered her head in fear and ran crouched low to the ground to where the children huddled in a corner. She looked up in time to see Aaryn blocking a hit with his arm that sent him back into benches, knocking Seth’s things into the floor. He hit the base of one flipping over it and did not stand back up. Seth slung the blood from the blade across the face of Matthew who was backing away from the battle. Seth leaned over the benches jumping back when two bullets fired at his head. Aaryn was back on his feet, successive shots echoing in the building from the two pistols he held. Seth dove behind the benches, rolling into a squatting position as he heard the firing cease. He leaned back, glancing over the bench and ducked when a shot was fired at him.

“Three bullets left in the gun in your right hand, Aaryn. One bullet in the one in your left hand. I would love it if you didn’t waste the rest of my ammo.”

“Stand up and they wont be wasted.”

Seth laughed slightly as he moved to the left of the benches. He slipped down under the one Aaryn had knocked back against the wall and moved silently up a few more rows. Aaryn aimed randomly at any noise that caught his ears and then shot a sharp glare back into the corner Seth had been in. He cautiously approached the bench at the back of the cathedral, sliding the guns over the top as he turned, aiming where he expected Seth to be, but no one was there. He spun around and pinched his eyes shut when Marian cried out in fear and a blade shot at his eye. He waited a few minutes and finally opened one eye and then the other to see Seth with the sword mere centimeters from his eye. He glanced past the tip at Seth who was smirking and dropped the two pistols on the ground. Seth now had his other sword hanging limply by his side. He withdrew the threat and tossed the weapon to Aaryn who caught it with uncertainty.

“You know how to use it?”

“Yes.”

“Then show me.” Seth flipped the sword back so his knuckles faced forward, the blade tilted slightly out as he watched Aaryn.

Aaryn pulled the sword to his side and pushed the blade up, striking for Seth’s shoulder and stumbling forward when Seth whipped around behind him, rolling his shoulder back. The hilt of a sword slammed into Aaryn’s back causing him to move forward a few steps as he turned back on Seth. Seth’s feet moved shoulder width apart as he nodded to him, urging him on. Aaryn smiled as he again moved toward Seth, but this time he cut quickly to his right and switched the sword to his left hand. Seth immediately brought up the sword to block the forward hit and slid back, slipping when he lost his composure. The blade hit twice hard on his left side then Aaryn stepped back, lifting his arm up to hit below Seth’s block. The teenager fell back, left wide open to the oncoming blow, but he almost immediately recovered and bolted to his left the side of Aaryn that he was not blocking.

Seth jabbed his left hand out, slashing behind Aaryn as the male turned quickly to block the blow. Seth’s left foot slipped back on the marble floor as he pushed himself forward against one of the benches. His hilt drove up first into Aaryn’s wrist and then he dropped low, catching Aaryn off guard as he drove up to hit the tight grip free as he fell back still holding his guard. Seth struck across the left twice and using any strength he could gain from a push off the bench, lunged at Aaryn switching the blade forward at the last minute. Aaryn’s eyes widened as he fell back to brace for the hit and instead swung upward, sending both his own sword and Seth’s flying.

The two stared at each other, close enough to kill the other, but both were weaponless. Seth was breathing heavily and a glint of pain passed through his eyes, which turned to stare at the guns not lying far away. He looked back to Aaryn who had also seen the chance and they both bolted forward. Aaryn rolled grabbing onto the gun and came upright and immediately aimed down. On knees at his feet, however was a male holding a gun pointed up at him. The two stared in silence for long minutes, both nearly panting as Matthew and Marian stared wide eyed from the side. Aaryn backed up a few steps as Seth slowly go to his feet, neither letting their aim drop. Once they got arm’s length distance between them, their guns popped into position and they continued to stare.

Aaryn arched an eyebrow as Seth’s eyes squinted and he shook his head, sighing heavily. He tilted his head slightly to the side and cleared his throat as his free hand shot up to the gun as well, holding it still as his body began to tremble. He drew in another deep breath, again clearing his throat, but this time clear pain shot into his eyes as he lost the last gasp in a cough. He blinked and flushed a deep red as he fell awkwardly back a few steps, but kept his aim level. Seth let out a frustrated growl as he fired the gun his head jerking to the side and his eyes closing as he dropped the pistol to his feet. Aaryn didn’t even move as the bullet shattered a window about a foot to his left and pulled the trigger instinctively just barely able to move his hand to the side before the gun fired. Seth pivoted back as he hit the wall and slumped to the ground, blood from the bullet wound running into his palm. He sat perfectly still for a few minutes, his head hung and his white hair clinging to his sweat-covered face. Aaryn lowered the gun and jumped when a thud sounded from where Seth sat. He sat with his hand clamped over the wound tightening on it and he repetitively hit his head against the wall as his fingernails bit into the open wound. His whole body suddenly started to convulse as Marian ran from the children past Aaryn who continued to stare blankly. She dropped beside his body and turned to stare at Aaryn and then to Matthew.

“Please help me!”

She moved as if to touch him and immediately drew away as he finally lay still. She moved to pull him upright and struggled as she slid back to the ground. His white hair was splayed all over his face covering his shut eyes, but his weight told her he was no longer conscious. She glared between the two males that continued to watch her one still in shock the other sulking in the corner of the church. Aaryn jumped in surprise when Marcus pushed past him and ran over to Seth’s side. He began to ask her how he could help as the other children followed suit, but only stared down at Marian and Seth unsure as to how they could help. She thanked them and tried once again, but slipped under his weight. She sighed in frustration and turned her worried eyes to Matthew who wouldn’t look at her. In one last cry for help she looked to Aaryn who stared right back into her eyes.

“We need to get him away from the door. We can’t have him lying out in the open and if he has another seizure, he can’t be near these benches. Please help me.”

Aaryn looked away as she growled at the two. She told the children to back up and again tried to stand, but fell, hitting hard. Aaryn finally walked over to the group, pushing the children away as he knelt down behind Seth. He grabbed him under the arms, crossing his arms over his chest as Seth cried out in pain. He backed up, feeling the boy weigh heavily on his arms as his breathing grew heavy. Marian got to her feet anxiously as she followed after the two and motioned for Matthew to come as well. The teenage boy glared at Seth as he came quickly after them. He gave Marcus instructions for the rest of the children and tapped his eyelid and then pointed at the kids. He walked into the room, closing the door behind himself and glanced out of the window at the top.

“Let’s just put him on the bed, I need to get that bullet out.”

Marian ran around to grab his feet and lifted with little strain as her eyes shifted to Aaryn. He removed his hold and quickly stepped back when Seth barely arched away from the pain, his face contorted in pain. She grabbed onto the seam of his sleeve and placing soft pressure on the top of his shoulder ripped the cloth away from the wound. She flipped out her pocketknife causing Aaryn to turn pale as she glanced over her shoulder at him. She pointed to the rag she had used to wipe off his forehead. Aaryn grabbed it and staring down into Seth’s frightened and pained eyes, placed the rag in between his teeth.

“I don’t have the instruments I need, but I have plenty of antibiotics and bandages. Cover his eyes please.”

Seth glanced sideways at the knife with weak eyes and turned his head to the side as Aaryn laid his hand over them. He felt Seth pull back and then the boy bit down into the cloth.

“He’s out again.”

“Can you blame him? He’s a strong kid. You beat him, you shot him, he had seizures and then having the bullet removed because you shot him.”

“Yes, I think we established that I shot him.” Aaryn played with a string he had ripped from his shirt and was now tightening it around his index finger.

“Whose side are you on, Mary? He tried to kill Aaryn!”

“Why did he try to kill you?” She turned on him as he pulled the string tighter then unwound it.

“I don’t know to be perfectly honest.” He pushed himself away from the wall and walked over to the bed, looking down at Seth. He jumped when another fit attacked the boy and they waited out the seizure, Marian watching him in horror. Aaryn returned to his corner. “Why is he having these seizures? What happened to him in there?”

“He seems to be suffering from the shadows. The disease they left, a few people got including Marian there and our friend Seth, or so it would appear. You really don’t remember anything do you?”

Aaryn shook his head as he sighed, “Not really no. So how do we stop the seizures?”

“A dose of dilantin should stop them.” Marian walked over to grab the bag of medications as she pulled out a bottle of clear liquid. “It has a new drug mixed with it that slows the heart back down.”

“No Mary! Those are for you!”

“He’ll die if we don’t do anything!”

“So let him die!”

Aaryn smiled as the two began a tennis match of insults, Matthew trying to jerk the bag away from Marian as she held her ground her eyes narrowing the entire time. He stood away from the wall and walked over to where Seth lay asleep as he glanced back at the two still spitting angry accusations. He looked at the boy whose face twisted in agony, his breathing grew deep and sweat beads began to form across his brow. Aaryn reached into the bowl beside the table and pulled out the soaked rag, squeezing the excess water from it. He laid it across Seth’s forehead and saw a relax in his taut muscles.

“He’s a ten year old assassin. That just can’t be right, Marian! We just need to let him go. He’s better off dead anyway.”

“Oh, don’t be stupid he’s not ten. Probably more like early twenties. What does that have to do with it anyway? We wont let him die no matter how old or young he is!”

“I’d say sixteen.” Aaryn continued to stare down at Seth as the two glanced over at him.

“Sixteen?”

“Yes.” He moved away from the bed and walked back over to the door, leaning against its frame.

“See? Young assassin. He’s probably had a horrible life. Let him die Marian.”

“Age has nothing to do with it! Now shut up.”

Aaryn closed his eyes as the bickering continued and finally slammed his fist into the door causing the two to fall deathly silent. “Let Marian do whatever she wants to do with her medicine!”

They blinked at him and then turned to the stirring form in the bed. Seth slowly sat up, holding his head as he glanced around the room at first Marian’s large brown eyes. Then he glanced at Matthew who glared at him sharply and finally at Aaryn who was staring out into the church, watching the children. The rag fell off into his hand as he blinked dumbly at it. Marian walked up to the bed and laying a hand on his unharmed shoulder, pulled up his sleeve. During the argument she had already prepared the needle and was holding it out for Seth to see.

“You really need to-”

He immediately jerked away from her, knocking the injection from her hand as he reached to the back of his belt. She stared at him in shock and walked over, picking up the shot as she blinked. Aaryn grinned as he kicked the door to the room shut and held up twin pistols.

“Are you looking for these?”

“Give them back.”

Aaryn was slightly surprised to see terror written on Seth’s features as he held out his hand towards Aaryn but kept a careful watch on Marian. Aaryn stuck them back under his coat as he arched an eyebrow and an amused smile graced his lips.

“Marian wants to save you and if she wants something done, it gets done. So sit still, take the shot and then I’ll talk to you about returning your weapons.”

Marian moved back over to where he sat as he frantically pushed himself back on the bed, gritting his teeth when he pulled his shoulder. He scrambled over to the far side of the bed as his hand slipped off the edge and he began to lose his balance. Aaryn rushed over to catch his back before he slipped off and rolled his eyes when a pistol appeared from under his coat and aimed at Marian. She slowly backed away as Seth noticed a hand tightening on his arm. He glanced down at the fingers and backed away aiming the pistol at Aaryn who frowned.

“Go ahead shoot me.”

Seth pulled back on the trigger and flashed a terrified look at Aaryn as the hollow click of an empty gun sounded in the room. He pulled the trigger again and began to panic as he threw the gun at Aaryn in anger, but it clipped by his ear and barely distracted him.

“You think I’d actually get this close to you with a loaded gun?”

“Let go of me.”

Marian backed away from the two as Aaryn tightened his grip on Seth whose whole body tensed. Aaryn motioned Marian over and she quickly walked back over beside them as Seth sat deathly still. Aaryn slowly released him and cursed when the male struggled with him almost knocking him over and again sent the shot rolling under a dresser. Marian sighed aloud as she knelt down in front of the dresser and grabbed it off the floor.

“He obviously doesn’t want it, Mary. Let it go.”

“No! He’ll die if he doesn’t get the medication within an hour after the attacks and you know that as well as I do!” She pushed past Matthew and walked back over to the bed, watching Aaryn fighting with Seth to hold him still. “Maybe if you just hold on to him while I give him the injection, Aaryn.”

“Will do.” Aaryn gripped tightly onto Seth and widened his eyes when the young male nearly flipped him onto the ground.

Aaryn felt an elbow swing up hitting him in the ribs as he coughed and locked his hand around Seth’s neck causing Marian to shake her head violently. He slowly released his grip, allowing him to gasp for air as he immediately shot his fist into Aaryn’s wound causing him to buckle in pain, but hold tightly. He back handed the shot again making Marian’s eyes narrow into slits as she stormed back over to where the shot now lay. He fought to free himself as Marian grabbed his arm in time to have her own twisted awkwardly behind her.

“Matt!”

“Matthew!”

He glanced up at the two faces staring at him as he started to walk over to them. “Just tell me what to do.”

Aaryn narrowed his eyes when another punch landed on his wound. He threw his shoulder into Seth’s causing him to wince in pain as he slammed him down on his back. Now using his entire weight to hold the boy down he sent daggers down to Seth who was glaring right back at him.

“Well, If you’d just hold his arm still, Matt.”

Matthew grabbed Seth’s arm, holding it down as she found a vein and slipped the needle under his skin. Seth was too busy threatening Aaryn to notice when the shot went in and Aaryn was too busy grinning in triumph to realize that Seth hadn’t noticed.

“Now see that wasn’t so bad was it?”

Seth glanced down to his arm, over to Marian, to the hand that released his wrist and finally to the male slowly removing his weight. Aaryn turned to walk out of the room when he heard the click of a gun being loaded and turned around to stare at Seth who stood and was now aiming. His eyes blinked rapidly as he collapsed face first onto the ground.

“The medication in pill form makes you drowsy. The shot is like a sedative.” Marian shrugged with a small smile as she motioned Matthew over to help her.

Shawn walked with the file hanging next to his hip as he tapped it twice against his leg, waiting as a group of children ran in front of him. He glanced across the road to the small fountain jutting a continuous stream of crystal blue water feet into the air, which fell like a stone to the pond below. The rim circling the pond in an eccentric curving pattern cascaded over onto the dirt-laden road in a crumbling arch that was spattered with small diamonds of water. As he approached the fountain he caught sight of a small boy weaving through the spattering of people. He reached his hand out to the fountain and sighed as his fingers slid through the hologram. The image cracked and popped as he sat down on the edge of the fountain causing an error in the program that shut it off and left him to stare at the ruins of what used to be the grand fountain. His gaze followed the small boy who ran up behind an older male and reached into his pocket, sliding his wallet out. The boy glanced around himself and dropped the leather wallet into his own pocket before running out of the crowd of people. Shawn dropped his chin into his open palm and began to scan the crowd for his new partner.

Shawn slowly got to his feet and began to walk impatiently in large circles around the fountain, checking faces as he passed. He opened the folder and unhooked the picture from the file as he once again walked from one group to another, examining the faces with a passing glance. He rounded the corner and cursed when he slammed head long into another individual. He looked up to see an annoyed male, situating a bag onto his shoulder. He held out the photo Shawn had dropped with a disgruntled apology and continued quickly past him. Shawn turned to watch the male snaking through the crowds and held up the picture as he shook his head. He turned around and continued his thorough examination of the area.

Seth’s eyes fluttered open as his gaze immediately shot to the male sitting in the chair in the corner of the room. Aaryn’s legs were spread out in front of him and his chin was dropped to his chest that rose and fell with gentle breaths. He slowly sat up feeling his body groan in protest with every inch he moved. He fell back into the bed as his muscles relaxed into the strength of the drug. He pushed his pillow back with his elbow and pulled himself into a sitting position, raising an eyebrow when he saw Aaryn sitting with one foot resting on one knee and his hands folded on his stomach. He nodded in recognition and set his hand on the gun pointed at Seth who shook his head in disgrace.

“No. I don’t want to fight yet.”

“Don’t want to? Or can’t?”

Seth looked away from Aaryn’s laughing eyes as he began to finger the gauze on his shoulder. Aaryn sighed as he folded his arms over his chest and then sat forward looking at Seth intently.

“Who are you?”

“What makes you think you can ask me whatever you want?”

Aaryn turned the gun laying on the table next to him to face Seth and patted it. “Persuasion.”

“My name is Seth.”

“And how old are you, Seth?”

“Seventeen. You were off by a year. And yes I heard you idiots arguing.” Seth glanced away as a faint blush slid over his nose.

“Who do you work for?”

“I’m afraid I couldn’t tell you that, even if I knew. Why did you save me anyway?”

“Marian wanted to. It had absolutely nothing to do with me.” Aaryn took a drink from the bottle of beer beside him as Seth watched him.

“That’s not what I meant. You turned your aim at the last second. You could have killed me.”

Aaryn shrugged as he glanced out of the window. “Seemed unfair. Why were you trying to kill me?”

“Orders.”

“Whose orders?”

“Don’t know to be honest. I just do what I’m told.” Seth began to unravel the gauze as Aaryn stared at the almost entirely healed wound in awe. “I’m not quite human.”

“I can see that. So why needles?”

“I’m really not in the mood for a Hallmark moment. You are going to shoot me at some point, right? I hate talking.”

“Didn’t plan on it unless you do something stupid.”

“Might want to go ahead and do it then.” Matthew walked into the room, tossing Seth’s jacket on the end of the bed and left without even looking at them.

Seth smirked and finally looked back at Aaryn who at some point had obviously slipped into his own world as he was staring out the window. Seth glanced toward the window and then back to Aaryn who was now staring at him. Seth looked to where the males blue eyes had seemed to focus as he looked down to the scar that was the only reminder of his wound now.

“Why did you miss? You were trying to kill me, there was no intentional miss on your part.” Aaryn moved his gaze up to meet the younger male’s.

“I got dizzy is all.”

“Dizzy? Right.” Seth purposefully avoided looking at Aaryn and even turned his head entirely to face the door. Aaryn sighed as he dropped back into the chair and propped his feet up on the end of the bed. “Matthew told me about your,” he paused and drummed his fingers on his leg, “illness.”

“Point being?” Seth kicked his feet off the bed and smiled when Aaryn glared at him.

“Perhaps you can answer a few questions for me.”

“Doubtful.”

“Oh don’t be so pessimistic. It makes me think you know something.”

Seth smirked as he nodded to Aaryn, “I don’t know anything I’m not paid to know. Ask away.”

“What is the disease?”

“Very general question you are asking. It could be a very long answer. I’ll keep it short. When the shadows attacked, four hours of blistering winds scolded the earth after they left. Anyone who was out in that wind contracted the disease and passed it on to their children who if they live long enough will pass it onto their children and so on and so forth. It’s more or less asthma and seizures. A nice combo that makes it so you can’t breathe and eventually suffocate if you don’t get a dose of the medication.” Seth tried to sit forward, but his muscles failed. “So now you know what I know.”

“What are the shadows?”

“No one really knows. They can take any form they like but they are best known for human figures or black cats. It is said that they can even inhabit the body of a person, but who knows why they would want to do that.”

“What do they do? I mean what are they?” Aaryn paused, scrunching up his face as Seth laughed.

“I know what you mean. They destroy technology and whoever possesses it. They usually suck the life out of you by walking through the person but they have been known to kill for the fun of it in the form of a human. They are here for only one purpose and that is to keep humans in their place and eliminate all of those brave enough to step out. I suppose you don’t get paid for a hobby right?”

There was a slight knock at the door as Marian stepped in through a sliver of space. “Hate to interrupt, but Aaryn you really need to let me look at your wounds.”

“I’ll do it myself. Keep an eye on him while I’m gone.” Aaryn stood up and left the room walking into the bathroom off of it as he slammed the door shut.

Seth glanced at Marian who sat on the end of his bed and she looked back at him. “So,” she paused as she peered down at her feet, “how old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

“Guess I owe Matthew ten bucks.”

Aaryn returned to the room to find Seth asleep and Marian slowly standing from his chair. He walked over sitting down and nodded to her as she left. He pulled out his wallet and dropped a roll of receipts and a photo from it. He pushed the loose papers back inside and then flipped the picture upright. He glanced down to the three boys wrestling as he flipped the photo over.

“Josh, Damon, and me. Eighth birthday.”

Shawn angrily flipped open his cell phone and hit the first button, holding it up to his ear. He waited as he heard the phone ring twice before the receiver was picked up.

“He never showed.”

An annoyed sigh could be heard through the phone as he rubbed his forehead and rolled his eyes. A feminine voice entered into his ears as he dropped back against the building.

“I’ll contact him tonight. For now go to the inn straight down the road. It is owned by a friend, he’ll be more than willing to help you if you tell him I sent you. Get a room for the night I want you out looking for him first thing tomorrow morning. Something must have happened to him.”

“Yes ma’am. Oh and Miss McClane?”

“Yes?”

“If I can’t find him before noon tomorrow, I’m on my own.” He hung up before she could respond and started down the dark alley that led to the hotel.

He grumbled to himself when a shadow crept across the wall to his left under the flickering street lamp. He saw a tall figure clad in a long black coat passing by him as brown eyes looked up from underneath the hood. He smiled to the man and glared at his back when he brushed against him almost knocking him into the wall. He continued down the street and opened the door to the inn, breathing in the scent of homemade potpourri. He glanced over to the front desk that was clad in heavy scarlet curtains as he approached the man staring at him from behind the desk.

“Hello.”

“Good evening, Sir. How may I be of service to you?”

Shawn raised an eyebrow at the flick of the man’s wrist that made his gold watch spin. “One room is all for just tonight. Oh and I was also to tell you that I know Robin McClane.”

“Robin? Oh! Robin has sent one of her lackeys! Oh finally! Yes, yes I will give you a discount. Yes, yes we love Robin here. She is so,” he hesitated and with a snap of his fingers continued “artistic.”

“Right. So how much do I owe you?”

“Twenty-three should do.”

Shawn reached into his pocket and arched an eyebrow. He frantically patted down his back pockets and took off his jacket, searching its contents. His mind flashed back to the man in the alley as he cursed under his breath.

“My wallet is gone.”

“Hey, Lance.”

The man glanced past Shawn when his name was called and beamed at whoever stood behind Shawn. He hurried out from behind the desk and gave the key to Shawn in passing as he urged him up the stairs. Shawn thanked him at first and then glanced at the younger individual who cringed when the innkeeper hugged him. His black and white hair hung limply around his pale face and his eyes were circled by a sickly green.

“Seth, my dear! Hayden’s been waiting for almost two hours! Where have you been?”

“Out.”

Shawn started at the name and turned to the boy whose pale face showed a strange form of determination as if he was struggling to remain standing. “Did you say Hayden? Hayden Cartwright?”

Seth turned to face Lance, the innkeeper, and gripped onto his shoulders. “Tell Hayden that I’ll meet with him tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?”

Seth nodded as he pushed open the front door and walked back out into the darkness. Shawn rushed out of the inn and glanced down the alley to see the hooded figure watching Seth as he passed. A shadow moved across Seth as he slipped past the figure and Shawn slipped back inside closing the door when the hooded figure turned to stare at him. He approached Lance who held out the keys that Shawn had dropped at some point in his excitement.

“Where is Hayden?”

“You need rest, boy.” The flamboyant male quickly walked back behind the desk after he patted Shawn on the shoulder. Shawn could feel eyes locked onto his form as he turned to see the candle resting on the front desk flicker. “Are you alright?”

He glanced up to meet the worried green eyes and nodded, “Just tired.”