The feel of warmth and a voice, a different one. Laying on a fluffy platform. It wasn't sand. Being covered by something soft.

"Yo, little guy, wake up." A worried voice wakes up Xackt. He opened his eyes with everything being a blur. He rubs his eyes, looking up at a being above him. "Are you ok, red guy?", The figure asks. The voice seems to be female. Xackt can see clearly after a few moments, noticing that he was on a bed in a small room. He saw a human, female. She had black hair and tan skin. She wore dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt. The girl was on her knees next to him, holding a bag of ice on his head. "Here... you were having a nightmare. You were shaking, rolling around, and talking to yourself. Do you feel alright?" Xackt slowly moved up and sat, looking down with an exhausted look, "No...no, not really... but who are you?"

The girl sighs with worry, "Oh uh... My name is Kelly, and I was... I found you outside. You should keep resting here." Xackt looked around, confused about what kind of environment he was in. Kelly then made an expression of curiosity, "Oh! Little one, I had something to ask. I'm looking for hints on the whereabouts of a friend and I ended up finding you alone. I noticed... you kind of resemble the anatomy of someone I'm looking for." She lifts a cup of tea next to her from a table, sipping it. Xackt took the bag of ice that Kelly was holding close to his head, "I don't... think I could be of help. I don't even know who I am, at least I think so..." Kelly bites her lip, showing a bit of disappointment, "Well... then later, maybe? It's clear you're not a human and I think you could be linked to two friends I'm looking for. Perhaps after some rest, you might remember something?"

Xackt looks away, dropping the bag of ice, "I don't think I should be here... I'm... a danger to others, and I have others after me..." Kelly looks at him, asking, "Others? as in, humans or other beings? Who are they?" Xackt then stared at the carpet floor. Kelly calms herself, thinking deeply. "Well, you've been here, sleeping for ten days. I'm sure you are safe right here. And if it's ok, mind telling me your name?" The red creature slightly moves his eyes toward her face but does not look directly at her eyes. "It's... Xackt, as I was told." The girl takes a small notebook and starts writing it down. Xackt starts fidgeting with his fingers, then grabs his arm and closes his eyes a little.

Kelly breathes in then slowly puts her hand on his paw, "Xackt?... It's ok Xackt, you're safe here... I just have a few questions." Xackt sighed a bit and then nods, "Questions about what?" She made a serious look, "The attackers, where you're from and if you have seen anyone, I might know. Is that ok?" She looks around the room, and then at him. "And if you need a place to stay, you're welcome to stay here." He looks at her hand and clutches the blanket a little, "Oh... Thanks. Thanks so much, Kelly..." Xackt felt strange, being treated so kindly by a stranger, but he felt she was not dangerous.

Kelly bit her thumb a bit before asking, "Xackt, who are these guys after you? Were they... human? How many of them were there?" Xackt shakes his head, "I think they were like me. One of them wanted to torture me... it seemed he wanted revenge for something." Kelly writes more down, "Ok... but what did he look like then, do you remember?". He nods, "Yes... he had horns and orange fur." Kelly suddenly reacts as she stops writing, "Hmmm... description sounds so familiar... hmmm...". She wipes her cheek a little, taking a deep breath. "He... that creature is one of the reasons why I'm having to look for someone dear to me... assuming that creature is a goat?" Xackt looks at her with tired but slightly widened eyes, "Really?... you know him? He was indeed a goat. How do you know him?" Kelly nods, "Well, if it is who I think it is... Let's just say he is part of the puzzle. But I need to ask you. Was there anyone else that attacked you? The other ones, right?" Xackt rubs his head and thinks hard, "Yes... there were three others. One had purple fur with long black hair and a mask. The second, a lighter purple fur and used a scalpel. Also had a mask too. The third... he was huge, brown fur and fast."

He clutched his head gently. "They all... wore leather cloaks, I think. There were golden buttons on them. Also, the masks they wore had weird scribbles on them. Looked very creepy to me...". Kelly finished writing her notes down, "I see. I don't think I know those three... new enemies I suppose." Xackt lifts his head, looking at the ceiling, "Though I think they knew who I was. They were the ones who told me my name, assuming they aren't lying to me... and they tried to capture me by force. I... I didn't even resist." Xackt rubbed the back of his head, and he felt like crying, "Also, I was at a desert, near a tomb. How... did you find me?... You live near a desert?" The girl looks baffled and proceeds to write down that part. "A... desert, tomb? When was that?... as I said earlier, I picked you up ten days ago. I found you at a park near a forest. You were under a table. You were slightly wounded too, so I assumed you were attacked." The girl seemed a bit lost in thought as she prepared another question. "Xackt, so, what do you remember about the tomb then?

Xackt told her that he woke up inside that tomb, in the middle of strange markings on the floor. Kelly was thinking, trying to tie everything she could together, but still, nothing made that much sense. Kelly whispered to herself, "Some sort of ritual...ceremony?" She then looks at Xackt and smiles, "Thanks very much. I'm sure that information will help me a lot someday. Hopefully, it will help you too. Seriously, if you need a place to stay... well, you should rest here. I have to go out to get some groceries. Rest up till I come back. I'll cook you something later." She gently lays him down and Xackt slowly closed his eyes. He twitches his nose a bit, laying on his side.

He gave a slight smile, feeling like he was in such a weak state, "Thanks. Thank you so much, Kelly". Kelly smiled, then got up on her feet. She started walking away, reaching and closing the room door slightly. She picked up and put her jacket on as she left through the front door and locked it. Kelly headed to the elevator, pushing the button for the main floor. She lived on the 6th floor of this apartment, which had 10 floors. When she reached the main floor, she headed to the entrance and passed the front desk where a worker typing on a computer was looking extremely bored. "Hey! Kelly, have a good day!" he yelled as Kelly waved at him but without looking, "You too, See ya!"

Kelly walked around the block as she made her way past a library. She then stops and noticed a new shop was opened up. It looked unique compared to the other stores nearby and took interest in it. It was on an isolated plot on land within 15 feet of other buildings nearby. It had a playground that was visible from behind. She decided to walk to the store and saw a now open sign, yet it seemed to be empty. Inside was just a counter with a bell on it. There was also no door. She made her way past where there should have been a door and went straight to the counter. "Um... hello?" A dim light bulb from the ceiling and a bell. It was kind of dark, but still possible to see.

Kelly slowly moves her hand towards the bell and was about to push it. Before she was able to though, Kelly heard a voice. "Ah! a customurrrr~", a figure came up from the counter. From the voice, Kelly could tell the figure was female. As for her looks, she was wearing a brown cloak and hood over her head. She wore dark brown gloves, and she was rubbing one hand over the other. Her eyes had a slight glint.

The dim light didn't help in revealing her face. Kelly kind of stared for a bit, "Uh, oh! um. Hi? Your store said open. I was wondering, are you actually selling anything? The place seems empty." The figure moves her upper body over the counter and sniffs at Kelly. She then lays her elbows on the counter, resting her chin on the top of her hands. "Ahhh, the 2nd one. It's you...". Kelly looked a bit weirded out, "Um, do... you know me? and are you-" The figure stops Kelly's lips with her finger. She moves her hands under the counter. Her long nails seemed visible even with those gloves on.

"No, I'm not the owner of this "store" as you call it. My name is Evelyn and I'm just here under my big sister's orders... and I can smell the reason of why.", Evelyn says with her mouth showing a grin as she went back to her recent curious pose. Kelly made an awkward smile and replies, "Well, um...do you have some food perh-", then Evelyn interrupts Kelly while bringing up a coffee-designed bag of miscellaneous items onto the counter. "I think I know some good ol' items you want for yourself and maybe a friend? You are cooking for someone I'm guessing? A lucky guess, yes", Evelyn sighs, looking at her nails. "Also, was that as in puuurrrrhaps, or perhaps? Hmmm..."

Kelly felt a small shiver as she took the bag, creeped out by this woman's voice and behavior. She decided to take a look inside the bag and was shocked. "Woah, these... are perfect to have for tonight. Wha-Matcha Tea... crab meat, Kona coffee and-", she pulls out a bag with dried berries, "These, are these goji berries?! oh, sushi..." Kelly looked at other things that were inside, like random vegetables and fruits, all organic. She looked at Evelyn with a funny look. Evelyn combed the top of her hoodie with her glove, "Yesss, I take it this was beyond expectations? We make sure our items are not harmful. Organic, well mostly." Kelly started getting ready to take out her wallet, "Oh, thank you! How much is all this?" Evelyn shushes her, "Shhhhh, It's free, silly girl. I got orders from my big sister. Trust me... you are going to need the wonderful dinner."

Surprised, Kelly clutched the bag, "Wha... Are you sure, really?! Free, how come?" Evelyn stops her again by giving a fake cough, then saying with a serious voice, "Cause... big sister's orders. And I'm afraid we are closing right now, so if you would be so kind." Flustered, Kelly started heading out slowly while looking back and gives a wave at Evelyn with a gentle smile, "Oh well uh... thanks so much, Evelyn! You've got a happy customer already. I'll see you around then." Touching each of her glove fingertips, Evelyn had a grin, "I like that one. Really cute she isss." The instant Kelly was out, a sliding door shut the entrance. Kelly stared at the building, wondering to herself, "Wait, how... did she know my name?". She slowly started walking back home as she also kept thinking about what Evelyn said. She thought to herself, "Big sisters orders? I wonder who that is. I should meet them next time. She must be the manager of the store perhaps."

As Kelly started walking from the building, she thought to herself, "I guess I'll have to ask her next time. But right now, I need to feed Xackt.." Before reaching further than 15 feet from the store, she heard someone shout her name. She turned around and sees a familiar face running up to her with a pet dog. "Kelly! wait!" She and the dog were running at a fast pace, coming to a halt in front of her. Kelly faced her direction, "Uh hey, Sally. What's got you all hyped up?" The little girl stomps her foot while the dog shakes up from the noise, "Arf!" The girl looked a bit annoyed, "Hey, not Sally. Just say Sal, and you called Kale from now on. They are our code names!" Kelly rolls her eyes, "Alrighty then, but what's wrong? Sounds like you had something important to tell me other than names."

Sally nods and gives a big smile, "Oh yea! Doggy Blitz, he is ready for action, to catch strange, powered creatures by your side... or well, my side!", she says pointing at the dog and then to herself. Blitz, the dog had white fur, a bit of long hair on his head that was enough to cover his forehead. It also covered the sides and back of his head. He had a bolt-shaped hair spike at the top and his eyes were purple. He wore a red collar with a gold tag. Sally was a young girl, shorter than Kelly of course. She had black straight hair, brown eyes, and wore a salmon pink-colored hoodie with cat ears on the hood. She also wore dark jeans and copied the same shoe design as Kelly, which was converse.

Blitz barks while Kelly looks at both of them with a puzzled face, "Sal, are you sure? If Blitz hasn't been tested and is fully recovered, and I mean, fully recovered, he can't protect you properly. Remember the last time you said he was ready? Did you double-check with the doctor this time?" Sally gives a happy expression and shows her papers, "Yes! The papers from the science lady! Proof he can do his job! I and he are ready to stop evildoers from causing havoc on the city! and the world!". Blitz barks more, then pants as small purple electric sparks emit from his body.

Sighing, Kelly turns and starts walking, "Well...ok, but there hasn't been much happening here except a new friend I picked up earlier." Sally widens her eyes, "Oh, a new friend? Is he at your place?" Kelly nods as Blitz started barking crazily in the direction Kelly was heading. Kelly covers the ear that was nearest to Blitz, "Ahhh, Sal. Tell Blitz to chill out, I'm starting to get a headache." Sally started looking in the direction Blitz was barking at, "What's wrong boy? Do you sense something? Creature?"Blitz nods and dashes around the block before both girls had a chance to think.

"Hey, wait up!", they both say while they headed after the dog, soon noticing a huge black cloud towards the direction of Kelly's apartment. Kelly's eyes widened, "What the hell...what's. wait, at my apartment?!" She saw red static around the black clouds, as they were surrounding the entire top floor of the apartment. People were running out of it, yelling. "Sally, wait!", Kelly yelled as they both stopped but Blitz kept on running towards the apartment and into the entrance. Sally was concerned with Kelly's tone, "Huh? What's wrong, we have to move!"

Kelly looked at her with a serious face, "Sal, I need you to go to the doctor. In this case, I have a feeling it's too dangerous for you. My friend at the apartment, I think his enemies may have followed him here and they are far different from our normal guys." Sally looked annoyed and stomped the ground, "Aww, but why!?" Giving the bag of goods to Sally, she pulled out a revolver most police use. It was hidden within her jacket. "It's serious enough to use lethal force most likely. That is how dangerous it is. Please, Sal, I need you to take those bagged goods to the doctor. Don't worry, I'll make sure Blitz comes back to you. Make sure you stay far away from the apartment, ok?"

Sally gave a sad look at Kelly. "Sal? Tell me you'll stay away from the apartment, ok? Please." Sally looked down with disappointment, "Aww... alrighty Kelly, I'll get a move on..." Kelly then nods to her before running towards the apartment entrance, while Sally had a worried look as she watched her friend. Sally moved toward the next street as she saw several people staring from a distance, with some police cars stopping nearby. Sally gave off a sigh as she felt she was missing out, but she didn't want to disappoint Kelly and let the food spoil, so she hurried to the doctor.

Kelly was near the stairs at the apartment entrance. She could hear the clouds from atop thundering hard as she made her way inside. She saw a dark fog flowing down the stairs, "Yikes...that's creepy. I better take the elevator." She walked to the elevator and pressed the button for her floor, but there were no reactions from the machine. The elevators were not working. Suddenly, the buttons of the elevators glowed red as the information for the floor numbers at the top revealed randomized numbers of floors that didn't exist. That included the negatives and trillions. "Uuuuuh...ok then, this isn't going to work... what in the world?" As she stepped away, she heard the elevator from inside drop down as if the wires were cut. But this was the first floor. As this happened, Kelly gave a deep breath. She felt chills on her spine as she rolled her eyes. She turned around to the stairs, slightly worried about walking into contact with this mysterious-looking fog. She wondered if Blitz had rushed up the stairs. She decided to just hurry on, thinking deep in her mind what was she to encounter as she got higher up.

She started walking up the stairs with her pistol pointing the way. She got on the stairs and reached up the 2nd floor, carefully sneaking about. She took a peek at the hallway and went up the stair to the 3rd floor. Suddenly a hand touched her shoulder, "K-Kelly, what are you doing? You aren't planning to go higher up, are you?" She shook a bit, looking behind her to see a guy with orange hair with a dark jacket with the same design as the dark jeans he wore. He was the one from the front desk.

Kelly sighed, "Oh! it's you... um, what was your na-Actually, no time! I have to save someone. He is in my unit! A friend in my room, no time!" She walks off without letting the boy react. The boy scratches the back of his head, looking worried. "Oh jeez, what is she doing...? The police or the specialist team should probably handle something like this." The boy looked up at Kelly moving up the stairs. He was hesitating to leave but eventually did, running down the stairs to escape after Kelly wasn't within his eyesight.

Kelly slowly made her way to the 3rd floor. As she hurried towards the 4th floor, she noticed something. There were no more stairs, a wall taking its place. The case of stairs that led to the 4th didn't exist. Kelly gave a wide-eyed expression for a second but then took a deep breath through her nose. "Well...ok then. Reality-changing type powers I assume. Great... I'll just have to take the stairs from the other side." Carefully aiming her gun towards the hallway leading to the other side of the apartment, the dark fog was thicker and harder to see through. Similar to navigating in a very bad dream as she felt slower and out of it on her movement. She gets to the other case of stairs and started running up. She was worried about Blitz and Xackt, "Come on, just one more floor after this one. It's not too far...". She still has no idea what in the world is going on, but she finally makes it to the 5th floor and sees Blitz barking. Kelly was relieved to see Blitz was ok, "Blitz!" She runs towards him as the dog looks back at her with a panting smile, then looks back towards the other way, growling.

Kelly faced towards what Blitz was growling at. A weird creature that was pitch black with a red glowing outline. The creature was slowly creeping towards the staircase leading to floor six. Kelly points her gun at the creature as it turns its head at her and the dog with very bright white eyes. They all stared at each other. The creature then bared its glowing white fangs, hissing at them. It took off up the stairs and Kelly gasps, "Damn, I think it's after my friend. Blitz, let's go!" They both start running towards the stair, heading up to try and catch up with the creature through the thick black fog. Kelly and Blitz reached the top of the stairs, getting to the 6th floor. As she reached a quarter of the hallways, a dark hole appeared on the floor and Kelly's foot fell through. She was stuck, like some sort of darkness was grabbing ahold of her. "Gah, damn it! Blitz, keep going! Stop that thing!", she yells as the dog barks back. Blitz started running towards Kelly's unit, catching up with the creature.

Kelly struggled against the dark hole keeping her from moving. She felt anxiety fill her body and mind as she could not get out of this trap. "Damn it, what bad timing... Xackt, I need to get to him, now!" She closed her eyes shut and took another deep breath as she concentrated.

End of Chapter 2