Beginning of the year and already the young students of Shokushu were under the pressure of exams. It seemed like the professors wanted to make up for lost time, and hurried the girls like there was no tomorrow. A few lazy ones, still feeling the bliss of vacations, had already met with the school's punishment system for their lack of responsibility. The had already gone through that and didn't want to learn the hard way, or simply knew better than to skip their chores.

Times like these always were curious to the island's special inhabitants and its visitors. The girls were occupied and going around busily. Finding one always was tricky. But that was the opportunity in it. To be out hunting and seeing a lonely girl resting or studying and catching up with her. It was not his most favorite time of the year for Rahs, but he always took the challenge with some tolerance.

It was late in the night, which gave the mercenary more freedom and less chances to be seen. A tall shadow lurked the halls and classrooms, but it seemed his luck was not the best that day. Rahs lacked any piece of his armor and clothing except for a brown cloak covering his body and his obligatory dark grey helmet and mask. His blue eyes scanned his surroundings near the halls leaving the building of the main classrooms, sticking to the walls and corners to stay mostly hidden and get the widest view possible.

"Another night working" Anne sighed to herself as she made her way through the labyrinthine corridors of the school buildings.

It was still early in the school year and it was almost like they wanted to work the students to death. Research this thing by tommorrow, have this thesis on my desk before you go to bed tonight. The teachers would be more at home in a work-camp Anne was sure.

In her last lesson of the day she had handed in a her essay, and was promptly told that she had answered the wrong question and that it had to be re-done. Tonight. And it had to be on his desk for tommorrow morning.

Anne had complied simply because the weekend was up and coming and she would be willing to bet she would end up losing the entire weekend in some sort of detention (Or worse - Anne had heard rumors about worse punishments being inflicted than mere detentions. But so far she hadn't managed to overhear any more than that. It seemed that no-one really wanted to talk about it and she had only caught snippets of conversation)

So. It was a night lost, but as it turned out it wasn't too bad. It was overcast and there was a fine misty rain which made it unpleasant to be outside in for a long period of time, and she hadn't got into the books she had picked up from the libary yet.

And now, the work was done, on his desk, and now she was heading down the corridors trying to remember exactly which way it was to the Dorms. She was certain it was this way but there was something about the layout of this school that seemed somehow counter-intuitive and even with her normally good sense of direction Anne found herself turned around occasionally. Like tonight.

"I really need to spend some more time exploring this place" She said to herself, turning another corner before stopping and glancing at the map she had in her hands. With a slight scowl marring her face she put her bag down for a moment, smoothing off her school uniform that she hadn't managed to change out of yet and looked around, trying to figure out exactly where she was now.

Nothing seemed to sound in the lonely halls in the night. It didn't surprise Rahs, he knew most students were happy to follow the curfew while using the time to finish their studies. His was a searching shadow moving swiftly and silently even though his tall figure would make one think otherwise. He was coming from the direction of the swimming pool when he stopped in his tracks. A rhythmic sound echoed off the walls, still a bit far from him. But beneath his face a smile formed, it was time his luck turned for the better.

The syrictae stuck to the wall as close as he could and advanced, following the sounds. His own snake-like genes made tracking a whole lot easier. Sounds and heat were clear to him and he followed these ones like a snake follows a mouse. When he was sure his path intercepted the one the person that owned the footsteps was taking, he got a bit closer and hid around a corner. A single eye of his around it, expecting to finally see the one he was preying upon.

"Gaah!" Anne exclaimed, stomping her foot in a fit of pique.

She was /sure/ that this was the way out but it looked like the entrance to the gymnasium. What the hell was it about this place?!

Taking a quick look through the window it looked entirely deserted although the lights were on, just in case a student wanted to work out in the peace and quiet she imagined. Muttering darkly about "bloody gyms" she turned around abruptly causing her short skirt to flare out slightly, before she set off back around that other corner she saw a moment ago. "Did I pick up the wrong bloody map?" she thought crossly as she made her way down the corridor, completely oblivious to the watcher, her eyes flitting between a useless map and her mind occupied in trying to figure it out.

The mercenary kept watching, amused by the frustrated reaction of the girl. It seemed clear now that she was a new student, getting lost so easily in the halls of Shokushu. Rahs had to admit it took him some time to get used to the layout, but monster like him only needed to wander aimlessly and abuse of the girls they found. That's how eventually he learned how to move around. The students didn't have that luxury, for they must adapt quickly to the school in order to get to their classes in time. No one liked being late to class when they are new, and if even this one got lost when classes were already over, she would not run with good luck.

She found the lit gym, cursed and turned around. The dorms were a bit far from the gymnasium, but it not that difficult to get there from that place. It was better for Rahs to use this chance before the girl found her way around. She was going to his direction after all. Hidden by the darkness, the alien tapped the wall with his helmet, making the metal sound echo around clearly.

Anne froze as the noise reached her.

Standing still she listened as the sound rolled over her, sounding almost like the chiming of a bell. Clean and metalic.

"What was that?" She wondered. Standing still listening for a moment, she was sure that it came a bit further down the corridor. Coming to a quick decision she decided to investigate. "After all!" She thought "Its not like i can get any more lost than I already am!"

Padding quietly down the corridor she stopped just before the corner, pulled her hair back and took the last couple of steps as quietly as she could, poking just one eye around, wanting to see what caused that sound but at the same time not wanting to give away her presence, her natural reticence forcing her to be careful.

Rahs noticed how the student stopped her movements as the sound of the clashing helmet echoed around them. He could not hear her footsteps and even prepared to run a bit if she turned away. But she followed her curiosity and that was something very risky in Shokushu. The sound of her approach was barely there, but the alien heard it. She was coming closer, his body still resting on the wall hoping to see his prey better. A moment of hesitation or preparation, and then he saw only one green eye turning the corner. It was dark, but her heat signature was enough to let him see her. For her, there was a large shadow no more than a feet away from her, the helmet, though dark, gave off some reflection of the dim light around the corner. "Have you lost your way? You must be new around here."

"Oh Fuck!"

The exclamation was torn from her lips even as her body felt like it jumped about ten feet in the air, did a few somersaults and landed head first.

In reality she backpedaled so quickly she slammed her body against the other wall, still in full view of the dark shape in front of her. Once her eyes focused slightly the speaker seemed to be a huge shape standing MUCH taller than herself wearing some strange cloak/helmet. She could clearly see two peircing Blue eyes watching her through the visor in the helmet and his voice sounded oddly metalic through the helm.

Speaking very firmly to her racing pulse she said nothing for a few moments getting herself under control, before suddenly remembering her manners and saying "I'm sorry Sir! You startled me! I'm just a little lost and trying to get to the dorms"

"After all" she thought. "It must be a teacher. Who else would be up and about in the school at this hour..? Even if they are dressed strangely!"

His chuckle sounded just a bit after the student stepped backwards in surprise and exclaimed it clearly. For a second, after the silence she created, Rahs wondered if he had gotten used to the darkness around whereas she had not yet; for her almost casual reply seemed like one a student would tell any other senior or professor if caught like that. The syrictae stared at her almost without blinking as she gave her excuse, fingers lightly tapping at the wall.

"I'm sorry for startling you. So, you're lost, then? I would certainly show you the way to them, but I'm not planning to go there just yet. What's your name, little girl?" His voice cooed; cold, metallic and deep. A slight push and the figure of the mercenary moved away from the wall to the hall where the student had came from, going in front of her, blocking her path but staying just far enough so the lights from the gym didn't reach him directly. Even in the small distance, Rahs towered over the young student, his eyes not leaving her for a second.

Anne took a nervous step back as the figure moved away from the wall. This man was BIG! Not just in height but in presence. There was something about him that screamed "DANGEROUS" to her and she had learnt to obey her gut feeling. The light from behind her just wasn't bright enough to illuminate him properly which only added to the intimidating effect.

"I'm sorry for startling you. So, you're lost, then? I would certainly show you the way to them, but I'm not planning to go there just yet. What's your name, little girl?"

His voice although reasonable sounded somehow dark... menacing. It could have been how the sound held that metallic note from it coming from that helmet. It could have been the tone used. Whatever it was it had the effect of increasing her nervousness.

"Er.. My name is Anne Sir" Anne said, her voice wavering slightly but keeping to her manners as she had been taught. Taking another step back she quickly glanced around, hoping that there was someone else around.

There wasn't.

"I'll be fine Sir" She continued. "I like exploring anyway..."

Her voice trailed off as she looked into those unblinking blue eyes. There really was something unnerving about this man and her apprehension and worry were growing at a rather rapid rate which in turn made her heart beat faster and breathing quicken as adrenaline crept back into her bloodstream. Anne REALLY hoped that he would go away on his own business!

Anne. She was not that much of a curious person, Rahs could see, but her bad luck in finding a way with her map had let her bump into him. Her voice trembled with a mix of fear and surprise. The shock of finding him along with his intimidating presence were starting to work her fight or flight instinct. Rahs knew it, she needed that little push.

"You may not like it as much after you learn that it can lead you to bump into people like me. But if you may wish so, I can give you some company while exploring around." Anne looked around for any sign of other person that could help her, but in a night like that, there would be no one that close to the gym as they were. And so, using that in his favor and the trembling of her body with adrenaline, Rahs approached. His naked, green and scaly feet showed and the cloak was unveiled by the light. The closer he got to Anne, the larger he seemed. Even so, the hint of his tail could be seen faintly behind him, moving the cloak ever so slightly.

"You may not like it as much after you learn that it can lead you to bump into people like me. But if you may wish so, I can give you some company while exploring around."

She most certainly did not wish so! Anne took another step back as he spoke and she tore her vision from those hypnotic blue eyes, taking another glance around desperately trying to find something to get her away, before returning them to this rather imposing man, opening her mouth to form another stammered apology.

And caught sight of his feet.

Green scaled feet.

Her mouth still hanging open, frozen with the words unformed she stared for a moment that seemed to last for an hour, before pulling her vision back up to the helmeted face and those eyes, which now seemed to be laughing at her. He was much closer now, almost within reaching distance, looming over her, his dark well worn cloak magnifying his bulk and making it seem like it could swallow her up whole.

It was all too much for Anne and she turned and ran, the words of apology forgotten. Slamming her shoulder into the double doors leading to the gym behind her she stumbled slightly but then she was through into the well lit gym area.

Not pausing at all she scrambled for balance and then flew across the floor, her eyes set on the door across the room as her heart hammered in her chest almost painfully, the only thought in her mind to remove herself from that man.

Her face was full of fear, confusion, but most of all of the certainty of the necessity to run. Anne seemed paralyzed at first by the mere looming presence of the mercenary, she looked around like a captured animal for an escape, but she realized that the way whence she came was the only route she could take. She was so close to him when Rahs walked towards her, and then she ran as fast as her legs allowed her to the gym behind. The young student could almost hear a light chuckle coming from behind her as the mercenary went walking after her.

The doors were no obstacle, they couldn't stop her or else who knew what would happen to her. She burst into the gym, slamming herself against the doors and losing her balance from the tremendous impact. The fall hurt her for a bit, but her adrenaline made it fade away. When Anne looked back at the doors, they were still swinging open and close. Rahs' figure appearing intermittently closer every time the doors swung apart. They were both stopped as they were going to close once more by the syrictae's green hands. His mere presence seemed to fill the entire gym as he walked in. Rahs' blue eyes never looked away from Anne. "What's the matter, Anne? Don't want to make each other company?"

Heart pounding, Anne cleared sprinted through the deserted gym hall into the main complex behind it, wrenching the doors open on the far side of the hall and taking a brief glance behind her.

What she saw made her wish she hadn't. The figure had a mottled green hand holding the door open standing there calling out to her. Who has green skin? What did he want? Why was he mocking her?

None of these questions really had any answers and Annes adrenaline fueled reflexes were fully on "RUN!" and she had no more thoughts to spare on the whys. Perhaps when she was away from this place and this thing she could think. But not now.

Wrenching the doors open she fled into the hallway.

It took little for Anne to start running once more. She never needed to see him behind her to do so, she knew she had to leave, and urgently. But she couldn't help but make sure of the distance between them. Her hand gripped the doors tightly as she saw Rahs walking in behind her. He seemed very dangerous now, a being no one would like to stick around with. The deeper part of the gymnasium's complex was mostly dark, more machines and benches laying around. Anne would have to tread carefully but quickly if she wished to lose him in there. Rahs didn't seem to be giving up easily, however. She heard the same doors open and close just seconds after she entered. She could barely see him in the dark, with the other lights behind him. It was turning bad for Anne, specially with the alien's ability to see thermal bodies in the dark.