The man followed his gaze too late as the missile shot onto him. Darek's eyes went wide and he opened his mouth in a shocked gasp as it embedded itself into the man's shoulder above him. His eyes met with the man's and the eyes looked strangely back.

The man groaned and moved, causing the wound to spill through his clothes. He stood and the liquid fell onto Darek. A few drops made their way to his face and he coughed as some touched the back of his throat. He choked in surprise and closed his lips. He heard the footsteps stumble back and the shuttering of metal hitting the floor.

Darek swallowed, his mouth dry. He opened his eyes again to hands lifting something off him. A hiss escaped his throat. It had never come across his mind that something had held him down.

"Ahh! Don't move it, please!" He cried quietly. The man continued as Darek whimpered, looking at nothing in the dark space.

"I have to. We need to leave." He pressed. Less than a second after the debris was off of Darek, he felt the ground shy away from him. His cry of pain shook what was left of the windows before the man shh'd him.

"I-my-my side." He said shakily. His head hurt from the swift change in position and his body burned. The man put Darek's arm over his shoulder as the two made for the nearest exit. Darek took a step and his legs buckled as he blacked out.

Sensing the boy's incomprehensive state, Vlad picked him up and carried him effortlessly out of the crash site. He rounded a corner of the nearest building in the quiet neighborhood and set the boy down. In the distance, sirens sang. The prince looked around in search of a proper resting spot.

Standing, Vlad rolled his shoulders. The ache in his back had diminished but he still grew wary at the thought of him being so careless.

Years without combat have made me careless. He sighed and looked down at the boy. He must have been no older than 20. What had made Vlad save him was his resemblance to his son, Ingeras.

As if he could see Vlad watching him, the boy's eyes shot open. Vlad put his hands out to signal that he was a friend.

"Where do you live?" He asked quietly. The boy's eyes darted everywhere in fear before his eyelids drooped. "Where?" The prince repeated.

"12…445 east…. Um, east lake…" The rest of whatever he said became lost as he drifted back to sleep. Vlad watched him for another moment before lifting him up and taking him home. After a couple of blocks, they finally reached the boy's home. The neighborhood was nice. He apparently lived in a house too big for one person. Vlad set his companion down and searched through his pockets for keys. He quickly found them and opened the door. All of the lights were off, but Vlad found his way in the dark easily. Without disturbing the sleeping victim, Vlad placed him gently on the couch as he waited for him to wake up.

In the time it took for the young man to regain consciousness, prince Vlad spent his time roaming the house. It had three bedrooms and two baths, one in the master bedroom. Vlad wondered how he was able to obtain such a large house if only he occupied it. In one room, boxes littered the floor, many labeled "mom's" or "dad's".

Vlad eventually found himself in the living room again, sitting next to the stranger he saved. The sound of his heartbeat slowed and Vlad almost thought he was dying but then he moved.

"Wha…" Vlad stepped back soundlessly as the boy woke.

Darek heard the sound of footsteps again, this time louder. He opened his eyes to see the ceiling staring back at him. He somehow made it to his house- his parent's house. The living room wasn't as dark as he thought it would be. Was it daytime? He looked around as he sat up slowly.

How did I get here? Wasn't I in a car accident? It was then that he remembered his side was injured. Without thinking, his right hand tenderly touched the phantom wound. He turned his head and saw the same man who helped him on the bus.

As his identity registered in Darek's mind, the touch of his hand felt nothing but confusion. For a moment, Darek shifted his glance from the man to himself. Under the bloodstained shirt revealed nothing but healthy skin. His eyes begged for an explanation until he returned his gaze to the stranger in his living room.

"What's wrong with me?" Was the million dollar question. He hadn't meant it to come out so degrading. The figure stepped closer to him and suddenly flashed white and black before he resumed the figure of flesh. Darek blinked and jumped back in surprise. The man slowed his movements but continued to approach him.