CHAPTER 2

Xavier Collans had been looking for Sierra Ryas for years now, one of his contacts finally came through with her location.  She lived in Klamath Oregon; he was eagerly on his way there the moment he found out.  When he arrived, he felt like a stalker watching her from the shadows of a large Elm tree.  She was headed from the deli around the corner to her apartment located in the Emerald Knight Apartment building.  His anxiety calmed down a bit knowing that she was alive, but his uneasiness didn’t lessen.

He was so lost in his thoughts about the past that he wasn’t aware of another presence in the area until the stranger was almost upon Sierra.  She was almost to her door, so he needed to act fast.  As he looked around, he was thankful that she lived on a street that was isolated from heavy traffic, it made it easier to transform without being seen.  He would have to talk to her sooner or later about her past but for right now there were more immediate dangers.

He waited for Sierra to enter her building before blending in with the darkness of the street, due to the new moon, darkness was everywhere. and began to walk across the street, he needed to stay far enough back that Sierra wouldn’t notice his presence but close enough to grab the strangers following her.  The stranger was not aware that someone else was watching Sierra, so the advantage was Xavier’s.  Once he was certain that Sierra was not around, he grabbed the man and ducked into a nearby alley.  He pinned the stranger up against the wall by his throat.  “Who are you and what are you doing following Sierra?”

The stranger’s answer was barely audible. “Whoever you are you have absolutely no idea what you are doing!”

Xavier knew that he needed information so begrudgingly he loosened his grip on his throat.  “What are you talking about?”  Xavier was losing his patience with this guy, but he kept his anger under control…barely.

“I will tell you if you will be so kind as to remove your hand from around my throat!”  The man was starting to reach for something inside his jacket.

Xavier noticed the movement and narrowed his eyes in a warning for him to stop moving.  “I have already loosened my grip so until I get some answers from you my hand remains.”

After a minute or two of contemplation the guy finally started answering.  “My name is Agent Kevin Miller and I’m with the FBI.”  Agent Miller nodded towards his jacket pocket.  “Can I reach for my identification for you?”

After a few minutes of silence Xavier finally nodded.  “No funny business or I will snap your neck!”

Agent Miller slowly pulled his identification out of his pocket and showed it to the man who had his neck in a vice grip.  “Can you please let go of my neck now?”

Xavier slowly released him but stayed alert.  “Now why are you following Sierra?”

Agent Miller rubbed his neck.  “Have you heard of the serial killer the God of Torture?”  Xavier remained silent so Agent Miller continued.  “He tortures his victims for three to five days, using different methods to kill them.  The torture is the only thing that we have been able to find that links the victims.”

Xavier crossed his arms in front of his chest.  “What does he have to do with why you are following Sierra?”

Agent Miller looked very uncomfortable saying all this to a stranger that just a few minutes ago has his neck in his hands.  “He has his sights set on Sierra?!”

Xavier realized that in light of this new information he needed to keep a closer eye on Sierra.  After making sure the Agent left, he took up his hiding spot in front of the building.  Xavier kept replaying everything the Agent said over and over in his mind.  He knew that Sierra would be difficult to protect by himself, so he decided to enlist help from an old friend.