Xander waited for David and Darron leave the building and then left his

room. In the dark hall he had to run a hand along the wall to keep from

bumping into anything. At each door he felt for the human, like a wolf

searching for a midnight snack. He felt past Josh's room, past an empty

room, past Charlie's room, past a werewolf's room, and then found the

presence he wanted. He saw no light protruding from underneath the

closed door but bent down to check anyway. Complete blackness, in

fact he could even hear Jack's even breath from behind the door.

Xander had met Jack that morning, and he did not like him. The little

New Yorker had too much arrogance for a vermin and he wanted to put

an end to it. He pushed the door open as quietly as he could and shut it

just the same. Jack lay asleep on top of the covers with his clothes still

on. Xander bent down onto his knees and crawled along the floor to

make sure he would not step on anything that would wake Jack up. At

the edge of the bed he stood and reached for Jack's neck. He prepared

to cover his victims mouth and kill him but he sensed another presence.

Xander reach into Jack's mind. Karma? What are you doing in here?

He asked recognizing her immediately. Xander?, I could- Ask me the

same question I know, but I asked to first, so spill. I am on personal

business, Karma said. I dated this kid back in New York and he got on

my nerves. Therefore I am going to kill him. Ah I see, Xander said. And

just how are you pulling that one off? I have given him a tumor, she

replied. At the moment I am making it worse...now what are you doing in

here? I am here with the same intentions, I want him dead and I need

some energy. Xander said. Well unless you want a tumor I suggest you

get your midnight snack from some place else sweety. Oh, and if it

makes you fell any better, he only has a little while to live. Oh that makes

me feel just peachy, Xander said. He withdrew from Jack's mind and

muttered to himself. Man, who made the rules, he wondered. Whenever

his kind took someone's energy, he took up any infirmity they might

have, but only if it was big like a tumor. Now who could he take from?

Karma would never back down about revenge. He crawled to the door

and stood up. A groan escaped from Jack's lips and made Xander turn

around quietly. His eyes had started to adjust to the light and he could

see Jack's face as it twisted in pain. Xander tired to turn away but stood

transfixed for a moment. He felt the same pang he had felt for Charlie,

but soon the hunger got the best of him and he went in search of more

food.