Another night, another show. It was business as usual for the night crawler as he stood outside the door leading to Xavia's dressing room. Their present business agreement was going surprising well since the budding singer had asked Shade to protect her from any potential 'fan' problems. Most of the work was rather dull with only a couple of people that caused any real problems. Heck, Shade hadn't even had to kill anyone yet.

Although the work was not the most exciting, the pay was great, and it was what kept the shadow mutant at this post (or near it). He was excellent at using the shadows to hide himself until a potential problem arose. The surprise of seeing a man appear out of no where usually scared all but the worst problem fans away.

Shade heaved a sigh as he stood his guard duty. It was probably just going to be another boring night with the worst thing happening was only some pervert trying to sneak into the singer's dressing room to spy on her while she undressed. Xavia had mentioned something about her being in danger during their first meeting, but Shade thought she must have been overreacting. Her 'dangers' were nothing more than men who did not understand the word 'No!'.

The stage director appeared from the direction of the entertainment stage, holding a hand up signaling a 'five'. Shade had quickly learned the unspoken jargon of the stage world on his first night. He gave two heavy knocks on the door to ensure Xavia would hear him over her warm ups.

"Five minutes 'til you're on, boss!" Shade halfway yelled through the door.

She was getting the finishing touches done to her make up by her newly hired personal assistant/make up artist, whom she paid just as well as Shade. The young woman was new to the field, and Xavia saw a potential in her that most people did not. Indeed, she was admiring her make up in the mirror as she heard her security guard give her word that she was to be on in five. “Well, Nola, you did it again. I love this look.” It was better than anything she could achieve on her own, as she was no expert on cosmetics.

She emerged from the dressing room after instructing Nola to have a certain costume at the ready for her first intermission. On her way passed Shade, she looked at him with her usual smile while shaking her head, “I told you my name.” But that was all she said because the stage manager was bouncing around hyper like while breathlessly complimenting the new look. Her blond-in-a-box hair was swept up into riotous and obviously natural curls that cascaded from a rhinestone studded clip. False eyelashes were not needed for her, they framed her eyes with drama after a simple curl was applied. Her eyeliner was dark, but not overly applied, eye shadow in smoky tones, causing her eyes to look a little larger and a lot more sparkly. Her lipstick was blood red, and she needed no blush. Tonight she wore a black corset that was tastefully studded with the same rhinestones as the clip, red leggings, knee high boots of black. Her jewelry only consisted of a few bangles, a ribbon choker, and hoop earrings. It would be hard not to moon after her tonight, she was dressed like a star for sure.

Xavia confidently found the stage and grabbed for the microphone, and no sooner had she stepped onto the “X” on center stage, than the lights dimmed, the curtains opened, and the band started to play the song she wrote. When the curtain opened, the spotlight didn’t immediately turn on, she started singing, “How I missed it, a thing called fate, didn’t know that I’d be too late. Then I saw you standing there, looking my way without a care.” The music turned into a deep guitar riff, so different from what she did before that the fans were gasping and then cheering because it was good. The spotlight flared. “Oh-oh-oh-oh. I would have smiled, I would have waved, but then she came out and my heart caved. When she kissed you, I felt mad, you were the best I never had.”

The song lasted about five minutes and spoke of missing out on someone you really pined for, and never quite getting to know what it felt like to be with that one special person because they were oblivious to you. By the end it was too late because you finally let go and that other person realizes your existence. The crowd ate it up and gave her a standing ovation, it was a mostly younger crowd who appreciated her twist on older songs, but loved the new material much more apparently.

It wasn’t until she was halfway through her first set that she was aware of an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t psychic by any means, but sometimes people just know when something isn’t right. The singer tried to ignore her increasing paranoia because she had a show to put on. Unbeknownst to her, the man who had been after her for a long time was on the balcony. He was an older man, there were a few of those in the crowd too, but he wasn’t dressed in the same manner everyone else was. He wore a brown suit, immaculately groomed silver hair, and horn rimmed glasses. His moustache was obviously waxed and shaped to gently curl downward over thin lips, and yellowed teeth could be seen by those around him. Flanking him were two of his most trusted goons, both dressed in black suits with black ties, both wearing earpieces and sunglasses. She couldn’t really see him at the moment with the way the lights assaulted her vision.

The man never stood up from his seat as he watched his obsession sing. It took him a long time, but he was ready to snatch her up. She’d done so much to elude him, but he wouldn’t let it happen again. He was there to make sure his men had her. “See? She has grown into a beauty, my rose. I wanted to watch her grow up but she is so full of thorns that my men could not seem to keep a hold of her. My patience is thin, my boy,” he was obviously speaking to the one on the left, “If you don’t bring her to me tonight, I will personally see to it that you will never work in this town again.” Because he would slip a knife into that one’s chest, he thought to himself. It angered him that his men were so incompetent.

Xavia ended her set and shook of her unease, heading backstage toward her dressing room to change into her costume. Once she had the costume on, which was Grecian in style, her make up was touched up and her hair was let down, she opened the door and motioned for Shade to come in. If/when he came in, she turned to look at him with a frown. “Something isn’t right tonight. I don’t know what it is, but I feel like my nerves are getting the best of me. It’s probably nothing. Just… Please be on the look out for me, okay?” Whatever his response was, she had another set being signaled after a knock on the door, interrupting them. She sighed and looked to Shade, “I guess I should get back out there, eh?”

A few hours went by with nothing bad happening. She managed to get through whatever her trepidation was, singing mostly originals she had worked on long and hard over the last year, and the crowd was pleased. Then came time for everyone to shuffle out, and she stayed backstage. One of the men that had flanked the guy who called himself her “father,” had changed into something more like what the rest of the crowd sported… Jeans, a tight fitting t-shirt, etc. He was pretty good looking and not really someone she would have pegged for a hired thug. He approached her and started gushing false sentiments, fooling even her. “Your show was great, Layla. I thought it was pretty great.” He flashed a charming smile, chiseled features softening a little.

“Thank you, sir.” She replied.

“No, thank you! My name is Rick Reynolds, and I have been watching your shows for the last few months. I wanted to talk to you about possibly playing at my venue.” He offered her his hand casually, she shook it. No threat there.

“Well, my agent usually handles that, but I don’t mind if you tell me more about this venue.” She smiled, completely at ease.

“How about we take this to dinner? I’ll buy?” He dangled the carrot in front of her face, and she looked surprised. Not worried, but surprised.

“I would love to, but not tonight. How about I write my agent’s number down and he’ll set up an appointment and we can all discuss business?”

“I was hoping I could take you out as.. Well, let me be a little forward and say that you’re a very lovely woman, and I would love to get to know you after we talk about business. I mean, it would be at a really great place to eat and I promise I am not one of those weirdoes who usually tries to get in a woman’s pants. I just would love to treat you to a lovely dinner on a terrace somewhere uptown. What do you say?”

She blushed a little, smiling and ducking her head. “I would love to tell you yes for such an eloquent offer, Mr. Reynolds, but…”

“But you are seeing someone?” He acted accordingly, pretending to be disappointed. “Well, that’s okay and I respect that. He’s a lucky guy.”

“Yes. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for him.” She replied.

Changing tactics, he pressed on and gently touched her shoulder, “Well, would you at least let me escort you to my Limo and have my driver take you home? I am sure your boyfriend would appreciate you getting home safe, and why not do so in style?”

“Wow… You’re sweet,” and she was now completely off her guard with him. “I will think about it, but in the meantime, I need to get into my normal clothes. Oh, and…” She scribbled the name and number of her agent, gave it to him, and then let her smile be gentle and friendly, offering her hand to shake again. He took it and kissed it. Again, she blushed. He let her go then, and took his leave, retreating into the lobby to confer with his boss and whatnot.

Xavia walked to her dressing room, trying to stop blushing. She was greeted with a bouquet of two dozen roses on her vanity table. She blinked and then took the card that was nestled within, it was from Mr. Reynolds and read, “Dearest Layla, I knew it would be a long shot for you to accept my offer for a date with me, but these roses reminded me of you. Please accept this free gift of opera tickets, and consider borrowing my limo to go home tonight.” Wow, but he was a hard hitter. She shook her head and sniffed the flowers, and they responded with plantish glee of course. She stashed the card in her vanity and then put the vase on the fireplace mantle. Her assistant walked in and gasped, “Holy cow! Someone has an admirer!”

She ended up sending a note with Nola to her “admirer” to politely decline the limo ride, having rode her Harley in for work. And then she got ready for home, dressing into her leathers for the brisk ride. She knew that the guy she had just hired as her security wouldn’t be too far behind her as she headed out toward the back, so she strode confidently out. The lot was pretty much deserted by that point, except for the limo and her bike. She glanced over and shrugged while gripping the handle bars of the cherry Harley. The back window of the limo rolled down to reveal her would be suitor, and he turned on the charm again.

“Layla, I couldn’t leave without seeing you again. I hope you at least liked the flowers.” His tenor was gentle as he spoke with her.

“Yes, thank you… They are beautiful. Roses are my favorite/” Xavia smiled and swung her leg over so she could straddle the seat of the bike.

“Good, good. If I may, I have a confession.”

“Oh?” Her brow went up, she was grabbing for her helmet by this point.

“I am no bookie. I lied. I just wanted you to know that.”

“I see… So what are you then?”

“Just an admirer,” he took a breath, “Could I just get your autograph, Layla? It’d mean the world to me.”

“You know… You went through a lot of trouble just to talk to me tonight. And you did it without creeping me out… I don’t see why not.” Because they’re coming to get you, Barbara (Bonus points if you get the reference ).

“Great!” He seemed to fumble around for a moment and then got out of the limo, she didn’t notice the other two pairs of legs because they were kind of out of sight. He approached her, a pen and a promotional photo of her from her tour around the country in hand. He offered it to her once he was close enough, and she took it. He was close enough that he could lean in and smell her nape discreetly even though he didn’t make a secret. “Such a lovely perfume you’re wearing. Just like a real rose.”

She went to hand him the photo, and he reached as if to touch the small of her back. She did not notice the needle he slipped from his sleeve just before he would reach his destination. There was a sudden jab through her shirt and into her flesh, and she stiffened. She felt a chilled sensation for a moment and her brain suddenly grew foggy. He leaned in to whisper in her ear, “I’ve got you now, easy does it.”

Her lashes fluttered some and her eyebrows puckered as she tried to focus on the fake admirer. Before she could even see that he had a needle, it was already out of sight. The singer toppled to the side some, and he easily pulled her off the motorcycle. Her helmet careened and hit the ground loudly. “Hey now, you okay?” he asked her, his voice muffled by the fog in her brain.

“What did you do?” she asked with a slurring voice. Then she went limp in his arms.

He knew she was out cold, and to continue with his show for those who might be lingering around, he acted accordingly. “Oh my god, she just passed out! Something is terribly wrong!” He lay her on the ground and pretended to check her pulse. The old man hurried out of the limo, eyes gleaming with the glee of his plan working. “Is she okay?!”

“I don’t know, Dr. Smith, did you bring your medical bag? Quick, she must have just been exhausted.”

The old man grabbed his props from under the seat and fumbled for smelling salts. He set the bag next to her as he was kneeling, then waved the smelling salts under her nose. She woke up as the acrid smell reached her nose, but she was too drugged to do much more than moan and try to open her eyes. She managed to do so, and looked at the old man’s face. Confusion set in, and then genuine fear as his eyes came into focus for just a second.

“You… No…” she breathed, and tried to lift her hand to punch at his face, but she couldn’t. “Help…” she tried to say as loudly as she could, but the word was lost on her breath. She could feel herself slipping again as the drug ran through her veins.

Thinking nobody else was around, not aware that her body guard could blend into the shadows, the old man let his guard down. “Bravo, son. Oscar worthy performance!”

“Aw, boss, women are easy. Ya just tell ‘em how they wanna hear it.” The fake admirer laughed and grabbed for her arm pits so he could sit her up. “She is sharp, though, I have to give her that.”

“She is. She’s not like she was when she was a child… That is for certain.” The old fart kind of laughed in a wheezy kind of way and grabbed the medical bag, tucking it under her arm. “Make sure nobody sees you dispose of the needle.”

“I’m on it, boss. Let me get this broad into the limo for ya. I’ll take her bike and dump it in the Hudson. Shame though, it’s a beaut.”

“You’re encouragable.”

“But you got what you wanted, right?” The handsome one laughed and flung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. It didn’t take much effort, she was pretty light, being petite and all.

“Thanks to you. Be careful now, who knows what will happen with that drug in her system?” And then he walked toward the limo with a spring in his step.

When Xavia watched out of her dressing room, the shadow mutant had to repress the effort to exclaim at her new appearance. It was remarkable the changes that could occur within a dressing room, and her new assistant was definitely showing why she was worth hiring.

- “I told you my name.”

Shade only smirked at the comment. Yes, he knew her name. He just preferred to be professional. Maybe too professional. He followed her as she made her way towards the stage, but he stayed outside of the performance area. Shade carefully surveyed the crowd gathered before the stage and beyond for any potential threats. While Xavia was killing it on stage, the body guard couldn't help but watch her perform. She was on fire tonight- at least, for the first song. Then something happened. Shade wasn't sure, but Xavia sort of closed up. Something was wrong. Had it been someone in the crowd?

However, he did not say anything as the singer came off the stage and headed straight to her dressing room to change. Shade was confident she would work through it, which was why he was surprised when she called him into the dressing room. He wasn't used to being in the place. It was way too girly for one thing with all the clothes laid about and the huge collection of makeups that were all placed strategically in front of the large mirror, not to mention the strong smell of roses that seemed saturated in the air.

-“Something isn’t right tonight...Just… Please be on the look out for me, okay?”

"Xavia, I promise nothing will happen to you." Shade replied, hoping it would calm the singer down. The whole thing seemed a little far-fetched, but the shadow mutant would definitely keep a closer eye on things tonight, even if it was just to ensure Xavia felt safer.

-“I guess I should get back out there, eh?”

"Someone has to sing the songs, and it sure is not going to be me." The night stalker joked, trying to lighten the mood and shake Xavia out of whatever was bothering her. The second set went a little better, but Shade could still see something was bothering her in the back of her mind. It was a good performance, but not her best.

After the show, the finished singer was approached by a kind fan. Shade almost made a move to subdue the man, but Xavia seemed to enjoy the man's company so he let it slide. Although he kept a close eye on the couple.

"You ever see him before?" Shade asked the stage manager as he walked past. The manager gave a halfway shrug before disappearing to clean up the mess from the show. It was not the answer Shade was exactly looking for. All he knew was the guy gave him the creeps. The shadow mutant watched their little exchange with care, and when Xavia was returning to her dressing room, Shade quickly fell in behind her to ensure the man did not try and sneak off to her dressing room. He took his post outside his door, allowing only Xavia's new assistant to enter the dressing room, as he waited for her to change.

She returned dressed in her leathers and ready to ride. Shade was just about to follow her out to her motorcycle when the stage director called the shadow mutant over. He then began to tell Shade about how some of the audience had thought that the body guard had been a little rude to them, not letting them get too near Xavia. Well that was Shade's job after all, wasn't it? To ensure that his boss was kept safe and out of harm's way from obsessed little fans.

"Look, you do your job and I'll do mine. You don't see me telling you how to run your light show, which sucks by the way, so don't tell me how to protect my client!" Shade finished as he stormed off. Tonight had not been a fun night, but at least, it was almost over. Shade ducked into a dark spot and a second later he was outside, just in time to see Xavia fall into the hands of the adoring fan from before.

However, something was off. It was too played out, this little simulation as if it had been planned out with the fat man waddling over and everything. Then the truth began to come out. Oh, the things people did when they thought no one was listening. Little did they know how dead they would soon be. It sounded like they were splitting up, one taking the girl and one taking the motorcycle. Shade would wait on them to act upon this. Once separated, a blade would meet both of their necks for what they had done, or at least tried to accomplish.

The unconscious singer was deposited into the back of the limo on a plush leather seat, then velvet cord was wrapped around her wrists in a manner that it would be too hard for her to get out of, and then her ankles were bound. The medical bag was plopped onto the floor after this was done, and the handsome one fished around in her pocket for the keys to the bike before retreating from the vehicle. He stood by the bike and kept a look out as the Limo pulled out of the lot.

Okay, so the sequence of events was strange indeed. First, how did anyone know to go to the back lot when there was a parking garage for patrons? Second, nobody really knew that roses were her favorite unless they knew her, so there was another clue. The answer came sauntering up to the man on the bike. Nola.

Nola wore a smirk on her face, and he looked at her boredly. “You know, it took you long enough to get the information I needed.”

Her smirk turned into a sour look and she huffed a little, “All that matters is she is where she needs to be, so pay up.”

“You’ll get paid. Not here. Go to the lab. I already gave you the directions on that card in your pocket.” With that, he revved the bike up and sped out of the lot.

Things were getting hectic, which was probably the kidnappers plan: split up so they know they couldn't both be followed. Now, Shade had to make a decision, either stick with Ol' Handsome or tail the elaborate limousine. Each one had its pros and cons. Following the limousine could mean losing the tricky little fan and probably Xavia's bike as well, but following Lover Boy meant Shade might lose the limousine and its precious cargo. Decisions, decisions...

However, things came to a shrieking halt when another figure joined the scene. It took a moment for the invisible body guard to realize who was the new stranger. Of course, Nola! She would have all the necessary information to stage a kidnapping. Shade knew he didn't like that girl for some reason. And now, it seemed he would have to kill her too. She also had the meet up address to something called 'the lab'. Well, whatever it was, Shade was sure to find Xavia there. He had to get that note. He waited in the shadows as the bike sped off with the handsome fan, leaving poor little Nola all by herself.

Shade stepped out of the dark where he was safely invisible, causing his body to instantly appear. He cleared his throat roughly, using it as a way to reveal to the unsuspecting victim who was way overdressed for her own funeral.

"Something you care to tell me?" Shade asked in his most casual voice he could muster.

The assistant whirled and looked at him, and then grimaced. “I don’t need to tell you sh**. You’re a tool.” Then she started to walk off. “Nola” was already in a bad mood. She had made a fool out of herself to please a man who dismissed her as soon as he had what he needed.

Meanwhile, the limo was already almost where they needed to be. Xavia stirred, her head fogged by the drugs that had been injected into her. The man who called himself her “father” was bent over her, caressing her face. She couldn’t speak, she was gagged.

“Yes, sweet rose, open your eyes and look at me. I’ve tried to get you back for years, and now I finally have you. You have been very naughty.” He grabbed her chin roughly and turned sour. “You won’t get away this time.” Then he shoved her face away from his hand and sat back.

Her head hurt so bad, but she did not cry. She tried instead to spit the gag from her mouth.

Oh, Shade may have been a tool, but a very deadly tool! And Xavia's ex-assistant should respect him as such. As Nola turned to walk away, the shadow assassin suddenly had her by the wrist. He spun her around and formed a blade, pressing it against her neck. His other hand pinned her arm behind her back.

"Now, now young lady, let's play nice. Why don't you tell me who your friends were as I would love to meet up with them later night? Shade whispered into the assistant's ear.

(Sorry for the shortness! My muse ran out of juice.)

“None of your business, dude.” She spat back at him with anger. At the same time, though, she was kind of angry toward being used. Damn it, all that effort for some affection and she got denied. It really sucked being the backstabber. Nola tugged at her arm, trying to extract herself from the mutant’s grip. “Let go of me, putz.” She wasn’t afraid of the blade, her heart was already sore.

In the Limo, Xavia stirred some more and tried to roll over. She then tried to use mutation as a means of getting out of the situation, but at the first inkling, a needle was flashed. “Oh no you don’t… Try it and you’ll be sent back to lala land, kiddo. All I want is you to sit up and listen to me.”

“Mmmf!” She could feel the cold steel against her skin, poised in case she decided to try anything stupid.

“I haven’t seen you in more than a decade. Come now, let me look at you…” gnarled fingers roughly grabbed for her chin and he forced her to lift her gaze. “You’re more ethereal than ever, flower… But you’re still a b***h.”

She glared.

“What I don’t understand is how you never knew you were special. I saw you when you were little, how the flowers bloomed brighter and seemed to sigh in your presence. You were special… But you were a spoiled and rotten brat who didn’t deserve your gift.” He shoved her face away, but not before jerking the gag from her mouth so she could talk back to him.

After she wet her extremely dry mouth with her tongue, she gasped out in anger, “What do you want?”

“What I want is for acknowledgement, dear. I want some appreciation. I made you something better.”

“You made me better??” Xavia bristled. “You killed my friends. You kidnapped me from my family. You injected me with drugs and harassed me and made me forget who I was, and you made me better???”

“I gave you EVERYTHING! I made you bloom and gave you the key to unlock your gift.” He got up close and personal now. “If it weren’t for me, you would still be at home playing in your garden, the spoiled rich little brat that you were back then. You owe me.”

“You broke me and it took me years to fix myself, and I owe you?” She laughed incredulously.

"Well if you don't want to play nice..." Shade whispered softly. His face stoned over as he flipped his blade around in his hand. Pulling her arm back, the shadow mutant drove his blade into her chest. The young woman's sharp demeanor changed instantly into a gasp as he stabbed her again and again. Seven times, Shade drove the blade into her heart before she slopped over, lifeless. Releasing her wrist, the woman collasped onto the parking lot ground in a leap. Wiping the blood off his hand on her shirt, Shade quickly slipped the address out of the woman's pocket. Now it was time for the motorcycle man.

He had heard that the man was suppose to dump the bike into the Hudson. Knowing the quickest way there, Shade quickly slipped into a shadow and 'jumped' through the shadows until he was standing near the water's edge. This was the nearest spot from the Hudson River to the night club where Xavia had sang that night. If he was really doing to dump the bike, it would be hear. Closing his eyes, Shade listened for the roar of the engine and felt for the trail of light from the headlight that was sure to annonce the slick man's arrival.

“No matter, little flower. We’re almost home. You will have your own lovely little room all to yourself and treated like a princess.” He snorted and then stuck the needle into her arm, thumbing the plunger down slowly. She could feel the contents sting against her veins and she let her head fall back.

Her last words before she fell unconscious were, “You won’t win; you never do.” She hardly felt the slap across her face.

When she next awoke, it was to an old and vaguely familiar scene, the blaring overhead light assaulting her eyes. She could feel the Velcro restraints around her wrists and ankles, no use trying to struggle against them. She turned her head to and fro, seeing the gleaming steel everywhere of the room, and standing with his back to the door was a guard with a tranquilizer gun who was ready to shoot any given moment should she get out of control. Xavia blinked a few times and looked down to see iv tubes and monitors and all kinds of goodies hooked up to her. The old man was stooped over a clipboard, kind of giggling. “This is better than I thought.”

The shadow mutant only had to wait for two minutes before he heard the high pitch whine of a bike engine over the sounds of the lapping of the nearby water. Off in the darkness, Shade caught sight of the unmistakable single light of a motorcycle as the once-charming man sped towards the river. And Shade. Preparing himself for the confrontation, the Orderling withdrew a black blade as the man on the motorcycle made his way to a nearby dock.

Shade took one 'jump' to get close enough to the dock. However, the lights from nearby lamp posts stopped the invisible mutant from being able to get too close. It appeared that the man was going to drive the super powered bike off the end of the dock. A single lamppost at the end of the dock, used for night fishing, kept Shade's skills from being able to 'jump' in front of the bike. So the shadow mutant's only option was to run across almost 25 yards of lighted ground before he would reach the man. It was a very risky move, but Shade had a vendetta against the man before him.

Taking the opportunity when the deceiving man dismounted the bike, the silent shadow ran as quietly as he could. However, the rickety boards instantly gave away Shade's presence. As the man whirled to look at the sudden noise, his hand instantly went to his hip. Gun! Shade's mind shouted at him as he whipped the blade towards his victim. The man ducked away from the wildly thrown dagger, still drawing his gun. However, as he pulled it up to fire, the shadow mutant barreled into him.

BANG! A shot rang out as the bullet smashed into the dock below, missing both parties. It then turned into a wrestling match for control of the firearm. Shade tries to sidestep the man off-balance, but he countered with a blow to Shade's face. Stars appeared in the shadow mutant's but he refused to loosen his grip on the firearm, knowing that meant certain death.

BANG! BANG! Two more shots were fired as they wrestled, but they struck nothing but water. Twisting at the man's fingers seemed useless, his grip was too strong. So Shade resorted to elbow and knee strikes. However, he got his foot suddenly crushed when the man stepped on his foot. Off balance, the shadow mutant dragged the larger man down as he fell to the deck.

BANG! Another shot went off as they landed. However, this one miraculously smashed into the lone light on the end of the dock. Darkness invaded the space in an instant and Shade winked out of sight. Scrambling out of the way, the shadow mutant took cover behind the bike as he knew he had an advantage now. However, the man still had the gun. Unable to see the anything, the man started firing blindly.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"Show yourself!" The man screamed as a nearby board creaked.

BANG! BANG! BANG! The man fired at the sound made by no man. Another board creaked.

"BANG! BANG! BANG! He fired again at nothing.\

Creak! BANG! BANG! Click! Click! A look of horror passed over the man's face as he released he had expended all his ammunition.

"I think you are out." Shade's raspy voice said as he stood up from behind the motorcycle, and the man realizing too late that he was shooting in the wrong direction. Not wanting to accept his death, the man reached for his knife in his boot. However, he was stopped when a blade slammed into his shoulder. He staggered back two steps, groaning in protest. Another knife thrown by the invisible mutant flew into his other shoulder. The man's groans turned to a shout and pleas for mercy as he stagger back another couple of steps.

"Please...please...don't kill me...don't kill me..." The man begged, cowering in submission. Fifteen seconds passed with all the creaking boards responding to the man's pleas. Thinking the invisible mutant might have actually left him alive, the man began to straighten up.

"Boo!" Shade whispered in the man's ear, giving him a fright. The man's yelp taking a step back- off the edge of the dock. He's last yell was cut short as he vanished beneath the waves.

With a smirk on his face, the shadow mutant mounted the bike and spun it around before speeding off down the dock and off into the darkness, heading to the address marked on the piece of paper in his pocket.

It came back to her: the nightmare of her sixteenth year. It was hard to discern whether she was dreaming or whether she was awake. No, she was awake. The old man was older, more haggard. She was still his obsession, still his experiment. He finally had her where he wanted her. A whimper of fear was swallowed before it could squeak out.

She jerked against her bonds, her head throbbing from the sedative they had pumped into her. The straps creaked with her movement, causing the old man to turn around with an empty syringe in hand. “You have grown into a beauty, you know?” He shuffled over to a stool and plopped his heavy frame down, wheeling himself next to her. He dropped the syringe onto her belly and grabbed for a tourniquet. “I have so much to learn about you now. I know you’re a rising star now, but that is of little interest to me. It was useful, but I want something else.” He wrapped the rubber around her arm as tight as he needed to, tying it with an audible snap. He continued with the one sided conversation as if she wanted to hear it.

Xavia could feel him grab the syringe, and she turned her head to the side opposite of the old man. Despite her façade, she could feel the moisture tracking from her eye and roll to the crook of her shoulder and neck, feeling defeated and tired. She barely felt the sting of the needle, or the pressure of it pulling vitae from her body. “You’re so docile now, dear. What is the matter? Too much sedative? Aww. You really should have thought of that before you made me mad. I am not a cruel man. Or am I? Whatever.” He pet her arm as he put a small piece of cotton and medical tape over the puncture wound. She heard the squeak of the stool as he rolled toward his microscope and test tubes.

It was quiet, blessedly so (save for his wheezing and nose whistling), for the span of ten minutes before he spoke again. She was almost asleep by the time she heard the intake of his breath, “Fascinating… The cell structure of your blood cells are unlike anything I have ever seen. Hoo-hoo-hoo. They have changed a great deal since you were a young girl. The red cells have the same shape as normal cells, yet there is a cell wall and other interesting parts of a plant cell. For instance, you have a high amount of chlorophyll. No wonder you have a fast photosynthesis when you are able to change yourself.”

Fascinating, she thought. Not really. Her head turned and she looked at him, her eyes narrowing. He continued to prattle on about plant cell structure, fingers twitching. Even the guard was looking bored as he stood nearby.

About half a mile or so away from the pre-destined location that he had not-so-gently lifted from Xavia's ex-makeup artist, Shade stepped off of Xavia's motorcycle and stashed it down a dark alley. After several 'jumps' through the dark, the invisible shadow mutant was able to catch sight of the "lab". In reality, it looked more like a mixture between a massive greenhouse and a prison.

Razor wire was wrapped around the top of the outside fence, which had long, old vines were intertwined through it. The greenhouse was a massive dome constructed from reinforced glass and steel beams. An attached building had iron barrels over the windows and heavy steel doors. Finally, Shade could see several video cameras that were mounted over the major entrances. Well, it was good thing that Shade did not have to use doors- and not visible in the dark.

Knowing he might have a difficult search ahead of him, the shadow mutant took his time watching for any addition security around the greenhouse. Deciding that the main greenhouse was his best bet for finding Xavia (she was a plant mutant), Shade made a few calculated 'jumps' before he managed to make inside the dense jungle that grew in the humid environment inside the dome. Peeking through the forage, the shadow mutant searched silently for the missing singer.

She’d fallen into a deep sleep again. When her eyes opened, she was alone, still hooked up to all the doodads and whatnots, the sound of the heart monitor beeping off to one side. Only now there was a tube down her throat, and an IV bag dripping. Drip… Drip… Drip…

Xavia panicked, struggled against the belts that strapped her down, not even knowing how long she was unconscious, it had to have been at least a few hours. Though it felt like an eternity with the way she felt. Her fingers felt so numb.

The light, a sun lamp apparently, flickered above her. Once, then twice, and then kind of gave one last shudder before she was engulfed in darkness. Something must have happened to the generator, because no light filtered from the window on the portal into the room. Everything stopped. All she could hear now were random shouts, muffled by the walls to her cell, and the odd noise of her breathing through the tube, since the machines were all off.

She flipped her hand as best as she could and felt around for the strap.

Why did Shade always get himself into these situations? All he was supposed to do was protect this local pop star from overaggressive fans, but now, he was running through a huge greenhouse looking for his boss because she had been kidnapped by some crazy dude. Oh, and somebody was shooting at him! Well, actually it was more than someone. More like several someones. He really had to find a better line of work, one that was not so dangerous all the time.

After sneaking around the greenhouse for some time, trying to find Xavia, Shade had ran into a large number of guards with automatic weapons. Why was it always machine guns? Why couldn't it be BB guns or something less lethal? Currently, he was dodging bullets through the undergrowth, trying to find a spot dark enough to hide. Luckily, the thick vegetation made it nearly impossible to find Shade to shoot him. However, the guards were beginning to get smart and circle around the shadow mutant. Shade had barely managed to kill two of them before they shot him.

Another hail of bullets sent Shade diving into cover. They were getting closer, and Shade was running out of hiding places. He slid up against the wall of greenhouse even as he heard the boots of his pursuers behind him. This was bad. Shade was trapped, and he knew it. He needed darkness, and he needed it now. Searching something to help, Shade spied a cable running along the wall. Hell, it was worth a try. Aiming a night blade at the cable, the shadow mutant whistled a dagger into the cable. The lights wavered for a moment but stayed on. Shade quickly threw another blade into the cable. The lights wavered again bur remained on.

"Freeze!" Shade heard behind him. He raised his hands and slowly turned to face the voice. Suddenly, the lights flicked off, and everything was covered in darkness. This would make things a lot easily. Shade smiled to himself as he disappeared in the darkness and turned into Death.