Interlude:

-Alex's growing up-

It was the night of the 22. March on the 23.. Kathleen sat in front of the TV and watched a few films, since she had nothing better to do anyway. Zed and Caleb were hunting, like usual. There are things you could never change, Kathleen thought. She got up shortly and went past at Alex's room. She heard whimper and moaning from the room and she opened it shortly to make sure everything was all right. However, Alex seemed to have his nightmares again but it more regularly and they seemed to be stronger than before. Kathleen only wanted to know what he saw or dreamed, Alex never talked with her about it, specifically not, since he was in his changing years and that seemed not to be exactly simple. Alex had grown up to a wonderful young man with one aim in his life. For three years he had studied and he was rather a good and receptive student. He wanted to the CIA and his results were admirable. He had his final exams soon and if he passed them, he had also already the chance for a test run in the CIA L.A.. He still had to pass some condition-tests, however, he wasn't concerned that much. Kathleen was proud of Alex even if he imposed his own head the last time and was insufferable... like usual teenagers only that, if Alex found out what he was really capable too, he was a threat to other teenager in his age. Kathleen shut the door again quietly and went back into the living room with a bottle blood and enjoyed her lonesome evening.

Chapter 29:

-Melissa-

Michael had shortened his shift in this night to make his way to his sister about itself. He didn't have any idea where she had moved, only his senses helped him, to track her down him. It wasn't all to difficult for him. Firstly, he knew his sister's smell, the smell of the blood which ran trough both and secondly, it was an ease for him to track down a vampire. As he had suspected it, she didn't live exactly in the centre of the city. He took the underground to get to west L.A.. He hated sub-trains, already just because, that he has been chased in one of these stations and was involved into the crossfire...without to know, the reason was. It was nearly one o'clock at night, as he left the station and came again on the streets of L.A. and had to walk down a few streets. His attention jumped within seconds to screams, which he heard in a dark one beside alley from a woman. He wanted to ignore it and simply wanted to pass, as he from his eye-corner saw that six high-grown, dark thugs, who tried to rob and to rape a young woman. They tore at her wrists and at her gown and tried against her sake to kiss her. She could detach a hand and hit a guy with all her strength that she got at this situation, but another hit her into the face and she fell crying to the ground. She cried for help however her voice failed and she just sobbed.

"Take what you can get from her and then... kills the slut." one of them ordered and all grinned.

Michael couldn't keep out longer and he stepped on the dim alley. Steam rose from the sewage system-drains and the streetlights behind him left only a shadow appear. He had both hands in his pockets and tried to act as normally as possible. He was only a type, that went down the streets and heard screams by chance and became somewhat curious. That was normal for him and the half truth.

"I'm honestly sorry, that I simply burst in here," Michael began. "but this lady doesn't want to be touched by such guys like you and besides, return her bag."

"Piss off, boy. This is not of your business, so vanish or we smash your kisser in for the insolence, that you disturbed us."

"Sorry, I can't. Leave her and nobody get harmed."

"Did you hear this, boys? Nobody get harmed if we let go this pretty treasure. What do you think?" all rejoiced and screamed. Amazingly they let her uninjured. Well yes, almost. She had a bloodshot eye and a graze at her under lip. Michael didn't look after her as she passed him by. He closed shortly his eyes, to drive away the sweet tempting smell of the girl's blood out of his senses and mind. He could only hear a 'thank you' from her. He wouldn't have expected this but he immediately felt somewhat better. now, she was safe but what with him? These types looked not exactly as they would come from a nice area. Thugs of the bad kind. Outlaws, which hated the white. The group laughed scornful, almost like hyenas, that surrounded their prey and got ready to pounce on it. Here the rules of the street ruled , the hard side of the world.

One started one kick attack aimed on Michael's breast, but Michael did a half spin and the guy missed him. The next with a well mastered kung-fu attack. It definitely were ten powerful hits which Michael had blocked with his arm without effort, then, he held on to the hand of the opponent and beat him directly with his other elbow at the throat. The type went to the ground and wrestled after air. Michael didn't want to spend the night with these guys and decided to make off. He turned around and wanted to go, as he became hit on his back with a club by one of the fellows. Michael snarled when he went to the ground and with a flexible hit, beat the opponent without seeing where he was and hurled him directly between the trashcans. Michael got up as ad been nothing. He stretched shortly and one could hear the setting of his bones. For a moment, his eyes had changed cobalt-blue but as he again relaxed, they vanished again. The gang kept an eye on him and dared not to follow him, instead they helped the two brothers who were lying on the ground injured.

"Freak!" one cried for Michael.

"Let that be a lesson to you!. Believe me, if I had been in other mood, then you would have said 'good one night'."

Michael vanished in the fog made of steam and was on the road again. On the way, he met the girl again, crying on a bench under a streetlight. Michael sat down for a short moment beside her and took her into his arms to calm her. as she realized, that somebody had hold her, she recoiled and looked horrified and completely confused at Michael.

"Shhh... you have nothing to fear. You're safe."

"Y... you're the guy... who helped me. Why did you risked your life, to rescue me?" she smiled shortly embarrassed, she got air and tried to sound somewhat more quietly. "I... I'm sorry. I can't you tell at all, how I thank you. Thank you very much."

Michael also smiled and saw into her eyes. Strangely, but he already saw these eyes once... long time ago. They were beautiful. Even if it was night, he/ could say that they were gloomily... possibly brown. Her hair was black like the night and put easily to the back. She was not older than twenty. "You don't have to thank me. The most important thing is, that you're ok, isn't it?"

"I'm quite fine. My head drums and I am tired... terribly tired. I was on my way home, as these bastards surprised me. Bloody bastards."

"You'd better shouldn't be alone on the street at this time. Can I accompany you home?"

"You did already enough for me. I won't be a burden for you ..."

"Don't worry, you're not."

"I live only a few blocks further, it is no more far."

Michael got up and stretched out his hand for her, to help her getting up. Together, they went down the street. Sirens of police cars passed by and a few more cars and trucks, otherwise it was rather quiet. Then the girl stopped in front a house and looked at Michael.

"How, here I live. I guess, it's time to say good night."

"Seems so. What is your name? I am Michael."

"I am Melissa."

"Melissa, a really beautiful name. You remind me of someone."

She laughed and brushed a strand hair from the face. "Should this be a turn on?"

"No, only a compliment."

"Well I must say I'm quite relieved. Ehm if you like, we could go out for dinner sometime... only so... as thank you... you know."

"I'd love to. How is it with tonight?"

"That will do. At 20.00 o'clock?"

"O.K.. I will pick you up and you can choose."

"O.K.. I'd like to thank once again for what you did for me and... I wish you once again good night."

"Good night."

She closed the door on and vanished into the house, while Michael looked after her, until she had locked the door again, then he took again his it actual way. Approximately one hour later, he arrived in front of a multiple dwelling and he was sure that it was here. The main entrance, was locked and he didn't want to ring about this time, therefore he saw upward and found an open window in the stairwell. He looked around shortly and then with a huge jump at the house facade, he climbed highly with ease and climbed through the window. He went down the hall until he found the right door what he could determine by smell. He couldn't hear anything. No conversations or otherwise something, but then, he heard the TV. Somebody was there. Kathleen. He knocked three times.