Despite the early hours and being forced to wear professional looking clothes Owen liked his current job. He even liked his students. Well most of them. A few, like "Princess" for example, made him wonder what he did in this life to get them in his life right now. The same could be said for a couple of the other teachers he'd come across so far. But he quickly learned to enjoy the relative solitude of the teacher's lounge. While a few grumbled about the new no smoking inside rule, including in here, it was a great way to relax and collect your thought before school started or during the lunch breaks.

Or mentally prepare yourself because you know that one student's, again "Princess", class period was still ahead of you.

Of course the talk all day between the teachers was the surprise no call no show of the wood shop teacher Harold Jones, or as Owen knew him better as Douglas O'Conner. "I still can't believe Harry did this," one of the teachers said on one end of the room. "He's been here for five years and I'd never even seen him take a sick day."

"I know,' said his companion at the table. "He joked he had a good immune system when I brought that to his attention."

The other one snorted, "I wouldn't doubt it. All I know is he's not here. Even some of the students are talking about it."

Admitiedly this surprised Owen a bit as well. He called his phone and left a message on his voice mail but he hadn't gotten a reply yet. Well if the worst didn't happen, and he prayed it didn't, maybe he had to pick up and move suddenly. It happened to Owen and others he knew on more than one occasion, usually when they just taken a head and realized after the fact there was a witness who saw you clear as day.

All of the conversations stopped as Principle Jennings walked into the lounge. Owen felt something grow in the pit of his stomach. Centuries of experience told him that slightly shocked and sullen face was never a good thing. "I just got off the phone with Mr. Jones' landlady who just got done talking with the police. He was found dead in an alley late last night. They identified him early this morning."

"Oh my God," somebody uttered. Owen pinched the bridge of his nose as he lowered his head.

"Did they say how he died?", somebody else asked.

"His landlady said they didn't go into specifics but it was implied that it wasn't of natural causes," Jennings answered. In Owen's mind they didn't have to he knew already. "I'm told the standard procedural will be followed meaning the police will be coming here and question all of here, just the standard questions I suppose. I'll talk to the police before they arrive, see if they would advise if we should cancel the rest of the school day. Lord knows the students will be poking their noses into it when they arrive. Mr. MacDonald." Owen didn't respond. Jennening stepped a little closer and repeated, "Mr. MacDonald. Henry."

He looked up and saw the concern in the other man's face. "I realize we haven't had the best of relationships since you been here but I also realize Mr. Jones was your friend. If you want to take off for the rest of the day I'm sure everybody would understand."

"No," although he did consider it for a second, "I want to be here when the police arrive. I don't

know anything that could help, but if anything I say can help solve this faster the better."

Jennenings nodded, and gave him a rather pitiful pat on the shoulder, like someone who wasn't used to doing so. "Well my door is always open if you want to talk. Now if you'll excuse me I have to make that call to the police."

And Owen hated the fact he had to chose his words carefully there. Because he knew somebody killed Douglas. He was also aware that his landylady was also his wife of the past thirty years or so and more than likely called the school to warn him ahead of time. Hopefully the police won't give her hard time of doing that.

The police eventually came around to asking him the same questions they were asking anybody else, fourtunately during the period after Princess' class. Just the standard ones he had been expecting: how well did you know him,did he have any problems with anyone that you knew of, did he ever mention anything strange that he had witnewss, was he acting stranger than usual. He did feel sorry for the officers in a way, it was obvious they hadn't dealt with a murder before much less somebody being found beheaded. Seeing something like that for the first time is never easy. Although he did give them credit for not going into details when he asked them how he died.

After the school day was over Owen walked the halls until he was in the woodshop class. There were a few of other teachers there already, a couple who were crying to themselves. One or two gave their condolances since they were friends. Owen thanked them and soon found himself alone in the room with his thoughts as he remembered how he found out the other man was an immortal as well.

~1708~

The dark cloak helped masked his preseance in the darkness as he headed for the cemetary. He should have done this years ago but Finlay kept telling him it was a bad idea. But he had to do this now before he never had a chance to do this again. Ignoring most of the main part of town he kept to the outskirts as he headed for the cemetary. Bypassing the main gates he found the low part of the wall where he remembered it was and quickly hopped over. He made sure the caretaker or any of his assistants weren't in sight before heading on. Being here at ths time of night was going to be hard enough to explain as it was, he didn't want to run into anybody who recognized him too.

Although a few more graves have been added in the years he had been here last he knew the location by heart even thugh he had only been here once. Stopping in front of the grave marked Deborah McAllister he felt his heart grow heavy and the tears start to form again like they did as before. But he had to be strong like his teacher had said when he caught up with him here. Removing a hand from under the cloak he held a single flower. Knelling he put it on top of her grave and put a hand on the tombstone. He stood up quickly as he felt the preseance of another immortal near by, briefly panicking before realizing he was still on holy ground.

"It's about blasted time you showed up to show your respects." He turned just enough to see the man behind him while still trying to keep his face in the shadows. The newcomer stepped closer any way looking slightly angry. "She's been waiting twenty years for you to finally say good bye."

"I was here before," Owen told him while trying to recall his name. He was the furniture maker, and he also made coffins seeing how close his shop was to the grave yard. "I'm sorry but I don't remember your name."

"Douglas," he said, "but everybody around here knew me by the name I gave them when I set up shop. And when have you been here before? I kept an eye out for you for years."

"The day I woke up," he said. "I ran from the man who found me and found..." he looked back at he graves.

Douglas apparently felt the saddness coming off of him, "Then I appologize for thinking ill of you for all of these years."

"So you knew I was immortal?"

He nodded while adding, "I knew the potential was within you. I was hoping you would be one of the fortunate ones to not be cursed with this life now. Then I was hoping to catch you before you were seen still being alive."

"According to my teacher I am one of the fortunate ones. Everybody remembers me as I was not what I became."

"I suppose you are in a way," he conceded. "I doubt this marker would have been put up with at all if they thought you came back by satanic means. Or at least this close to her. It was something though, the innkeeper who manned the bar wouldn't even let you mother or her family pay to have either of these made. Practically insisted on it. He even demanded a rush job on these."

Owen smiled a sad smile as he thought about the man who brought them together. "His wife was probably furious."

"Son you have no idea. Half the town thought she was going to kill him but he stood his ground."

"How is he and my mother?"

"He sadly passed on to the next life over the winter." Owen dropped his head a little. "You're Mother still alive though. Married to this gentleman who came into town a couple of years after everybody thought you had died. I haven't seen that much life in her eyes in years."

"Good," Owen told him, truely happy at this bit of news. Remember how his mother was after his father died he was worried this would have finished her. He stared at her grave for a while. Finlay told him it was no point to dwell on it. That part of his life was over and ahd no bearing on his current one and there was nothing he could do about it now. Still he had to know, "The bastards who did this?"

Douglas smiled sadly at this but looked like he understood. "A couple of the villigers came up on them while they were doing that to you and her. But not soon enough to save her though. They were hanged a couple of day after we burried you."

Owen nodded. He shouldn't take any satisfaction in the death of any man. Hopefully the good Lord would understand and forgive him just this once for doing so.

"We better get you out of here," Douglas said trying to guide him back tot he wall. "If I saw you sneak in like a thief others might have as well." Owen's hand went to his sword by instinct and Douglas caught it. "Not to worry lad we're not fighting today."

Owen wanted to relax but couldn't at the moment. "Thank you for telling me what happened."

"Hopefully you'll found some piece of mind." Reaching the wall they both jumped over and he walked Owen to the road. "So why are you here now after all these years?"

Owen looked as embarrassed as he felt, "My teacher finally convinced me to leave this land and see what he calls the world. I wanted to say good bye."

"It's good that you did son," he patted him on the back. "And I'm sure she appreciates it. I'm planning on moving on soon myself seeing how most of the people I know are starting to look older than I am. So I'm glad I caught you when I did. Who did find you, if you don't have a problem with me asking."

"I'm not sure you know him," Owen answered. "His name is Finaly." Douglas made a bit of a face that was hard for Owen to interpret. "You have an issue with him?"

"No not personally," Douglas answered. "He's a good man, just a little too stubborn in his particular views for my taste." While Owen enjoyed Finlay's company from time to time, he had to silently agree with what he just said.

~Now~

Owen's thoughts were interrupted on the way to the parking lot when he felt the buzz. Damn it, this was what he was afraid of when he took this job. Looking around he found somebody coming up to him, and no potential witnesses arounf either. "I knew there was another one of us around here," he said as he drew an old gladius sword from his over coat. "I've been stalking that old man for months but I just had to make sure."

Making his way toward the parking lot gate Owen tried to stall for an opening, "You apprear to have me at a bit of a disadvantage." In more ways than one.

"Oh I am so sorry," he said while putting a hand on his chest, "My name is Travis Mitchell." Waving the sword around a bit he sneered, "Now if you are the Thief I'd suggest you offer your neck peacefully, if you're not my apologise for ending your life this early."

"Great one of these idiots," Owen muttered. "The Theif is in Chicago which is why I'm trying to avoid it."

"I've been in Chicago," Travis told him. "It's getting a little too crowded for my taste. And I'd wager for the Theif as well. It make sense that he would think so as well you see, seeing how nobody can find him he's planning his heists elsewhere. So a hunting I will go." Owen coldn't help but noiced he was able to place himself between him and the gate. Well there was more than one way to get in. Faking rushing at him Owen quickly cut to the side and started climbing the fence. Travis grabbed at his leg but he quickly kicked him off and hauled himself over the top and ran toward his car.

The lot was practically empty so it was pretty much a straight shot. Travis had gone through the gate and was giving chase. They reached his car at roughly the same time. Owen slid across the trunk to try and to gain a few extra seconds. He had a hand on the back door handle but quickly removed as Travis took a swing with the gladius. Putting all his weight behind a kick that sent the other immortal to the ground Owen quickly opened the door, reached into the specialty designed pocket built into the back seat and pulled out his long sword. Silently cursing the fact he never got around to finding out where the security cameras were located Owen watched as Travis quickly got to his feet and into a defensive postition. First thing first, get this fight as far away from the school as possible. Owen backtracked a bit before turning around and running for the park across the way.

"Get back here you coward!", Travis shouted as he gave chase. The guy was determined, Owen had to give him credit for that much. Once they were both well away from the school Owen turned and and blocked a swing aimed at his head. "I hope you put up a better fight that that old bastard," the other immortal told him and he tried to push Owen back.

Standing his ground he told him, "That was my friend jackass." Both of them took a step back from the stalemate then went at weach other again. Clanging swords fill the air as each one treid to get through the other defenses. Owen switched styles a bit just enough to get the otehr man on the defensive ut he quickly compensated even going so far to switch to a different sword fighting style himself. Yeah this one might be a long one.

Unknown to either of them the fight was being witness by one of the students, Princess of all people. At first she was stunned at was going on. Then she pulled out her phone and started recording it. I got you know you bastard," she said to her teacher even though he wasn't close enough to hear it. But that was it as somebody hit her on the back of the head and kept hitting her until she was out cold.

Janet quickly picked up her phone and and stopped the recording. Making sure none of her cronies were around she quickly erased the fight from it. Then taking her shirt she tried whiping every fingerprint off of it as best as she could. Looking up to see the two still fighting she reached into her backpack looking for anything and decided on a piece of paper. Wrapping the phone up she moved away from Princess before chucking the phone into an open grate. Hearing a splash she moved further away from the girl she just assaulted but tried to stay hidden from the combatants as she continued to watch.

Owen tried to keep his mind clear on the fight. But the fact this man killed his friend kept inching it's way deeper and deeper into his brain. Feeling a rage he hadn't felt in a while he unleashed it on Travis without any mercy. His blows became more vicious catching the other immortal off guard. Owen knocked the point of the other man's sword to the groundd and let go of the handle of his to punch the other man in the face. Travis stumbled back but still held onto his sword knowing his life depended on it. Owen grabbed him by the overcoat and threw him in a different direction. He stumbled to the ground as Owen lowered his sword, the tip just kissing the top of the blades of grass as he walked forward. Tavis got to his feet and got a look as Owen's face seemed to be darkened by a shadow for a brief second, "What the fuck...?"

"You killed my friend," Owen told him as he got his sword back up. "You tell me what you think was going to happened?" Travis went at him and Owen blocked each one while backing up. Grabbing the other man's sword arm he quickly inverted the grip on his sword, turned around and drove the blade into Travis' gut. Facing away from both Travis and Janet neither saw the blank look on his face that momentarily turned into a snarl as he pulled the blade out, spun one more time and sliced his head off in one motion. Travis's body fell to the ground as the quickening escaped his body. Owen was frozen in place as the lightning like affect was forceibly absorbed into his body. "RAAGGHHHH!", he screamed as bolt like effects hit the ground and the surrounding trees. Janet had to duck back as a couple came dangerously close to her.

After it was over and Owen could move he dropped to a knee, after a moment he blinked a couple of times as he came back to his senses and looked around. Thinking he was fortuante that nobody saw this he tried to figure out what to do with his sword as he headed back to his car. He had to get out of here fast. Where she was Janet watched him go, "I don't know what your real name is Mr. MacDonald but i'm glad you won."