Chapter One

I stood outside of the bar, the snow falling silently around me, waiting for him to come out.

The cold air seemed to go right through my thin jacket, and my dark brown hair was sticking

together in thick strands. I couldn't control my chattering teeth, and I shifted my weight back and

forth from one leg to the other, trying to stay warm. I shrugged my backpack off and checked my

watch. 11:02 pm. I sighed and sat down on the cold pavement, leaning my back against the stone

wall. I pulled my sleeves over my hands that were red and raw from the cold and sat my

backpack beside me. I closed my eyes and waited.

I jumped as I heard a door slam. I looked around, very disoriented. I looked at my watch.

1:58 am. Oh gosh, I had fallen asleep! I heard pounding footsteps and looked up to see a tall

older man with brown curly hair walking away from the bar. Could this be him? I stood up and

tripped as I tried to follow him, skinning my freezing hands on the hard icy ground. I ignored the

pain and shouted a name at the man, hoping it was him, scared of the outcome if it wasn't.

"Victor Creed?" The man stopped for a split second, then kept walking. I ran after him.

"Hey, Victor!" He suddenly whipped around and I jumped back, seeing the dangerous look in his

eyes.

"Who are you?" He snarled. I noticed two of his teeth were sharpened, and I looked down to see

his claws growing. I hesitated, then swallowed.

"Do you remember an Annie Cain?" I saw something briefly flash in his eyes before he stood up

straighter and looked down at me. He had to be at least 6'3, which would make him eight or

more inches taller than me.

"Why?" he asked, his face emotionless.

"She's dead." I said, my voice catching a bit. He exhaled through his nose and then turned and

started walking again.

"Wait," I pleaded. "Are you Victor Creed?" I grabbed at his black trench coat and he whipped

around again. My hands shook in fear as well as from the cold.

"Who's asking?" He spat out. I licked my lips and looked at my feet.

"His daughter." I whispered. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for his reaction. My mother had

warned me about him. I stood there, waiting for the strike that didn't come. I felt his hand tilt my

chin up, and I slowly opened my eyes and looked into his mysterious blue ones. He swore under

his breath as he studied my face.

"Come with me." He said shortly, but with a little less venom. I pulled my backpack up, and

followed him into the dark, snowy night.