PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE READING STORY OTHERWISE YOU'LL BE LOST:

These are MY fictional characters from another book that i'm writing and i wanted to see if they'd do well in a Bioschock story. Here is some basic info.

Shadow: Main Character, Mercenary. Is bounded to Alexia by a mystical chain that makes them one.

Alexia: 6 year old girl who is a witch. can summon the magic chain whenever she likes and sever it as well.

Christina: Bounty hunter and old friend of Shadow's. Likes Shadow but does not show it.

Will: Smart ass theif, who relies more on speed and dexterity than strength.

Eric:...well there you go

Prologue: Rapture

"For the last time, Eric," said Shadow with a highly annoyed. "Give me the damn map, before I start getting angry."

Shadow and his companions all stood huddled around Eric on the deck of the ship. They had been sailing for 3 months attempting to find Alexia's father. The dark starry sky hung over their heads as the bright moon gazed down upon them.

"For the last time," said Eric imitating Shadow's annoyance. "I know exactly where we are. We are somewhere in the mid Atlantic region."

Christina sneered at him shook her head, "SOMEWHERE, which is another word for lost. I told you not to give him the map Will."

"Don't drag me into this," argued will as he sat on the edge of the ship. "'You guys didn't seem to care if he had it. You know what you were getting into when you said you didn't mind."

The entire ship went quiet as they each contemplated their next course of action. If they did not find their exact location soon then they would never be able to find Alexia's father. They had to think of something soon.

"Papa," mumbled Alexia as she tugged on Shadow's hand lightly. "I'm scared, something's here."

Shadow patted her on her head and stared out into the violent waves. "It's nothing Alexia. It's probably just a whale or maybe a storm is coming."

Alexia shook her head and grappled onto Shadow. "No…I told her to go away. But she won't go. She says that I belong to "The Family" now."

"She," asked Will as he placed his feet back on the deck of the ship. "What do you mean she?"

"And what the hell is "The Family"," asked Christina as they all looked at Alexia.

Alexia stood there quietly staring at the ground, as everyone gazed down at her. Her head then shot up and she gasped as the voice in her head disappeared. "…She's here."

Suddenly a loud wretched screech engulfed the night sky and they all feel to their knees covering their ears. The violent sound clawed at their eardrums as it continued its merciless assault.

Shadow reopened his eyes and looked about the ship, with blurred vision, for Alexia. He had to protect her no matter what. He then turned to the head of the ship and saw a bright red light focused on him. As his vision improved he was able to make out the shape of, what was most likely, a young woman in some type of light weight armor. Two needles shot out from her arms.

Her appearance was not the thing that caught his attention, however. What seized his gaze was Alexia being held captive under her arm. Anger filled his body as he stared at her terrorized face. "ALEXIA!" Shadow then stumbled to his feet and raced forwards towards the strange woman. "PUT HER DOWN!"

The woman swung her arm and his was cut across his cheek by one of the needles. Shadow then felt a sudden pulse of energy blast him in his chest and he was sent flying back into a wall.

"PAPA," called out Alexia as the woman turned her back to them to face the ocean once again. "HELP ME!"

"ALEXIA," cried out Shadow once again as he attempted to stumble to his feet. As the woman leapt of the edge the mystical chain appeared around his neck and he was then yanked from his feet and dragged forward. "SHIT," yelled Shadow as he clawed at the metal collar.

Shadow rammed into the edge of the ship and broke through it effortlessly a moment before he became submersed under the ocean. He gazed downwards and saw the woman still swimming, but Alexia was nowhere to be seen.

Papa, called out Alexia as she entered Shadow's mind.

Alexia where are you? Tell me where you are!

She put me in the large tank on her back. Papa listen to me. This woman calls herself a Big Sister. She's taking me back to "The Family".

What family? Alexia, just hold on. I'm coming!"

Shadow then seized the long chain and began to pull himself towards the Big Sister. He slowly inched closer to her as she continued her decent into the water. Shadow could feel his lungs beginning to want to give out, but he knew he had to hold on for Alexia. He had to save her.

Papa…she's taking me to Rapture.

What's Rapture?

An enormous city underwater…Papa…you won't survive much longer without air. You can't come.

Alexia, just hang on. Let me get you out of there

Papa…you can't come. I'm going to sever the chain, and I want you to return to the surface. You won't make the trip.

Don't talk like that. I'll protect you. I'll save you. Just hang on for a moment longer.

…Bye bye papa. I'll try to find a way back to you and the others. I love you…

The chain then vanished and the Big Sister jetted forward down into the darkness. ALEXIA, NOOOO!

Shadow continued to swim forward even as his lungs were engulfed in the unbearable flames. His vision became blurred and his mind was surrounded by a thick fog of exhaustion. He could feel his heartbeat slowing and his body beginning to go cold. He lost the energy to swim. He lost the energy to move. Just as he thought his fate was sealed light engulfed his face and he reopened his eyes to gaze at the large underwater city. Rapture.

Hello, can you hear me? Are you still alive?

Who are you? You're…you're not Alexia.

Just hang on, I'll send help for you. Just hang on a bit longer.

…Alexia…

He…Jus…ho…on

The stranger's voice then became unclear as Shadow's mind became a distant thing. He had passed out.