Part 1: Eerie Beginnings

29 days later

It was nice to be back in his old stomping grounds, good ole' Canada. The place where his life began and where he felt comfortable being the loner that he was, but it also brought him uneasiness. The memories of this place were linked so closely with memories of pain, torture and degradation that he wasn't sure whether to smile or cry. He would always fights to get out here, claiming he wanted the solitude but it was more then that, this was his beginnings, he just wanted to be next to it, next to the good and the bad. See if maybe with some time he can make some sense of it. Maybe even run across some answers to his biggest question of all. Why.

He noticed it was getting dark, the sun had begun it's nightly routine, falling gracefully to the horizon. The wind had picked up considerably, howling angrily warning him of the storm that was headed their way. He inwardly sighed and stretched his back feeling the long trip in his bones. His truck rattled noisily showing it's own fatigue. It was good that the backwater town he was looking for was only a few miles ahead; he'd bed down for the night in the local hotel and start snooping around tomorrow after the storm died down. Xavier had sent him here to check into some strange activities. Some sightings of a hairy beast with claws of some sort that was scaring the town's folk. After hearing the description the first thing that came to his mind was Sabertooth. The sadistic bastard was at it again, this time terrorizing a small town in the middle of nowhere just for kicks. Logan growled low, and a small smile spread over his lips just thinking about having a chance to take Sabertooth on. It has been awhile and he was inching for a fight. His camper sped by the road sign waving harshly in the wind. "Welcome to Grundy" it read.

His truck came to a whining stop, seeming to sputter and then sigh with relief. The windshield wipers sluggishly tried to push the gathering snow from side to side to no avail. He turned the key in the ignition and sat quietly staring at the tattered wooden building in front of him. It was the only hotel in town and it didn't look luxurious but he had slept in worse. He thought about sleeping in his camper but a chill ran up his spine. It was far too cold to sleep out here. He stepped out of his truck carefully scenting the air for any signs of trouble but he couldn't smell anything at all in the mushrooming storm, his boots sank deep into the snow but he was use to stepping high. The wind leaned against him but he leaned back letting the weight of his reinforced adamantium skeleton win the fight. He entered the rundown hotel with caution. The place smelled woodsy, like pine and cedar and dark shadows clung to every corner and nook. He looked around the lobby to find it empty; the only sound was a fire burning in the sitting area to his right. It crackled loudly in the concave silence and gave him an eerie feeling. The place was sparse; a lot of open space, making it seem almost hollow, save for the one arm chair facing the fire and the dark wood front desk. The only sign of life was a check-in book on the front desk laid open. He walked over seeing a few names hurriedly scribbled here and there. He frowned at the handwriting, wondering why they were so panicked when they had signed in. Was it because of the storm?

"Hello?" He prodded. Hoping to grab the attention of the desk clerk, where ever they were.

"How can I help you?" Came a voice from behind him and Logan whirled around. His fists clinched and a feral gleam burned in his eyes.

"Whoa there fella, I just stepped outside for a second to get some firewood. This whole hotel is heated by this one fireplace, can't afford to let it go out." He said in a friendly manner. He was a chubby man with a warm smile and deep blue eyes that looked aged and wise. Logan's eyes once again took in his surroundings wondering why his nose didn't signal the man's approach. He scented the air and frowned. He smelled so familiar, something to obtuse to pinpoint, to broad of a scent to recognize.

"You look like a strong young man, you wanna help me with this wood? I'm not as sturdy as I use to be." He chuckled softly. Logan squinted at him a little longer but felt himself relax in his presence. He seemed harmless enough and his story was valid.

"Yeah…sure." Logan said pulling two logs off the top of the hefty stack cradled awkwardly in the man's arms.

"Good thing you got here when you did, that storm's lookin' real bad out there. I'd say in another ten minutes that ole truck of yours woulda blown clean over." He said while stacking the timber just how he liked it in the fireplace and watching the flame grow.

"You gotta room?" Logan said gruffly.

"Not one for chit chat I see…yeah I've got a vacant room, one of the last ones actually. I'll get you the key. Make yourself comfortable by the fire. You don't want that chill to reach the bone."

"So what brings you around these parts. Haven't seen you here before and we don't get many visitors. That is with all these weird killings going on."

"What do you mean killings?" Logan questioned. Xavier had told him about the sightings, but there was no mention of anyone being killed.

"Oh you haven't heard? This place is so far removed; I guess such matters don't really leave this place. Seems there's some bloodthirsty beast in around here, eatin' up everything it comes in contact with. Seems to only kill when there ain't no moon. Don' killed the whole parker family when they were out doin' some huntin' just about a month ago. Tore 'em up real good."

"Now, you need to stop with these stories! Your scarin' the poor man." Came a shakey voice. A white haired woman shuffled out from the back, carrying with her a cup of hot chocolate. The sweet smell immediately filled the room, and Logan's sensitive nostrils.

"Here you go, I saw your camper comin' up the road and I just knew you'd need something to warm you up after being out in all that terrible cold." She said with a wide smile that revealed her dull overlapping teeth. Her cheeks were rosy and round and her eyes twinkled with kindness. He could feel the four eyes burning into him, smiling cheerfully against the eerie howl and rattle of the burgeoning snowstorm. Logan hesitantly took the offered cup under their spooky gaze and smiled awkwardly.

"Here's your keys. Room nine, right up those stairs and to your left. Breakfast is at eight o'clock and if you have any questions or concerns feel free to ask." The man said stepping forward and handing Logan a set of warn keys. Logan nodded his appreciation and headed up the noisy wooden stairs.

"Oh by the way, what's your name." The man shouted up after him and Logan instantly become defensive.

"Just for my records, that's all. You didn't sign in." He said pleasantly, but Logan didn't like it one bit, something was off in this place. Something wasn't right.

"Logan." He eventually said.

"My name is Terrance and this is my wife Ruth. Enjoy your stay." Logan frowned and continued his way up the stairs and down the dilapidated hall, the floor screeched as if in pain and the hall was dark and long. There seemed to be only ten rooms. Five on each side of the steps. Each door had a number and each large number was carved crudely into the wood. He stopped in front of the door marked "9" at the very end of the hall that seemed to be engulfed in the very core of the darkness.

"What kinda place is this?" he mumbled to himself. His key granted him access to the room and he immediately turned on the light.

"At least there's power." He said giving the room a looking over. It was scanty. Just four walls, a curtain-less window, a bed and a nightstand. The window rattled against the charge of the wind while a branch outside scratched at the window heartlessly to the rhythm of the wind.

"It's gonna be a long night." He mumbled setting his untouched mug of hot chocolate on the nightstand and sitting on the edge of the bed. The hair on the back of his neck was standing on end and the beast with in him was urging him to run. He scrubbed his sandpaper hands over his tired mug, he decided he was over reacting, those people were just nice, and this building was just old. He needed sleep, so he could track down Sabertooth, catch up on ole times. He took a long drag into his nostrils, making sure no scent of his rival was about before he let himself relax a little.

"No need to get all worked up." He said turning off the light, getting into bed and staring at the ceiling with his arms folded behind his head.

"No need"

Author's note: As far as I know they isn't a town in Canada named Grundy, I thought It would just be a good name for a rundown, snow-covered, strange place. Also this is my first X-men story and since wolverine is my favorite character it is starring him but later on the other x-men will become involved. Tell me if you like it so far, you can even tell me if you hate it. It's all good:) The next parts will be a lot longer, this is just out there to see if there's some interest.

P.S. Review's will make me write faster…just thought I'd throw that out there for you :)