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My name is Jason Roland, and my life has just gone to hell. It's a weird thing to say, Right? Sadly it's true. I guess I should start back at the beginning where things were at least somewhat normal. I can't say completely normal, because my life, and my family, has always been anything but normal. You see I'm an orphan and I never really got to know my parent's so their friends Robert and Jenna Daniels raised me from age two onwards. Their son Zane was like a brother to me until I turned fourteen and "Aunt" Jenna died. Then I started getting into a lot of trouble because I started having these weird dreams of my parent's deaths. I ended up doing drugs, getting into fights, and all around being a fucking dumb ass to get over everything until Uncle Robert sent me to a boarding school. Meanwhile Zane remained the perfect student and almost acted as if his mother's death only inconvenienced him in that she was no longer there to serve him.

Uncle Robert on the other hand had submersed himself into his work, and had even agreed to a bunch of government funded projects he originally called morally wrong. The first was known as the hybrid project which he talked about being a great success. In his letter he said they'd successfully fused human and animal DNA to create a human animal hybrid, which held more human than animal traits. He said the government wanted to know if they could possibly make it where the animal DNA outweighed the human. He sent me multiple letters saying that they couldn't get the right genetic combination. After about six months he finally sent me a letter saying "We did it. You're aunt Mary is quite happy her thoroughbred Charles has turned into a companion she can share her love of the farm with."

I laughed and replied in my own letter "I wish I had a companion, but due to the fact the school doesn't want their students to have interference I can't ask you to send me anyone." When in reality the only reason I didn't want a companion was because I knew if the school found out about Uncle Robert's research they'd expel me in a heartbeat. They'd already given me twenty demerits for fighting, graffiti, foul language, and all around being a lousy student. I'd managed to piss off the dean on my first day, and he'd had it out for me over the last five years. Luckily Graduation was only about six weeks away. However a week later Uncle David sent me a letter marked as "For your eyes only." I'd gladly showed my few friends the other letters thinking they'd find it interesting to read about human animal hybrids so when I saw the "For your eyes only" I realized this must be very important.

I took it to my dorm when no one was around then quickly tore it open and scanned the page. In it Uncle Robert talked about something called the "Afterlife Project." He said that the government wanted to see if human beings could actually recreate the gates of heaven and hell. He said the first test subjects they'd had were the arch angel and the angel of death. He said that the two volunteers had ended up actually seeming to embody the figures of mythology they'd been chosen for. He went on to say that the angel of death would point at people and say things he couldn't possibly know until he'd been deactivated while the arch angel seemed to find himself superior to normal humans. Both had developed strange wings that were an unintended side effect at first.

He then told me that Uncle David, his fellow Researcher who'd come up with half the work for everything had been killed by the angels after they said that he would bring about the apocalypse by creating the gatekeepers. I could tell by the shape of the letter that it was several months old, so I wondered why it took so long for it to get to me, and how many people had tried to stop it from getting there. It went on to say that the next part of the project was the dark lord which he wouldn't go into detail about and he would only show me if I came to visit when I graduated. I wrote a reply saying I'd be there as soon as everything at the school was settled and started packing my bag.

When my last shirt was shoved into my bag, my dorm mates Alex and Mathew walked in looking relaxed until they saw the bag sitting on my bed packed and ready to go. They looked at me questioningly and I said "Just getting all my shit ready for graduation. As soon as it's over I'm out of here. I just need to head to town and buy a plane ticket for the day after graduation." Alex smiled and held out his hand knowing there was no way in hell of stopping me from going back home while Mathew started trying to sputter out all the plans the three of us had made about what we'd do when everything was over with. I shook Alex's hand then he smacked Mathew and said "Mathew, we knew Jason wasn't going to stick around after all the shit he showed us. Plus his Uncle's kick ass." I smiled slightly not realizing at the time that my Uncle was actually just a friend of my old Man and not my actual Uncle or a lot of key things.

I laughed as they argued about it then said "We'll hang out after I get done with the stuff my Uncle needs me for, deal?" The others nodded and I held my hand out for a shake. Mathew smiled and shook it gladly while Alex just smiled and said "You better come back some day." I nodded and said "Why wouldn't I, it's not like he's got some major plan for a near drop out like me." They both laughed at that knowing I was actually top of the class despite my crappy behavior and tendency to skip. It wasn't that I was stupid, it was just that I hated the school, hated being here, and still missed my aunt more than anything. I silently wondered if that was why my uncle agreed to work on the afterlife project, or if it was because he needed the money, since he'd become a notorious drinker shortly after Aunt Jenna's death.

I knew Zane hadn't really helped by constantly digging into him about no one wanted his work anymore. I shook my head dragging myself out of those thoughts then grinned at the guys and said "Let's go get some pizza, my treat." The three of us headed out the door and I tore up the letter and burned it with my lighter before following them. The three of us headed for the main gate; about halfway there Mathew stopped and said "Ah crap, Devan's being a douche again. Are you going to get in his face or we going around?" I smiled and said "You and Alex are going around; I'm getting in he and his gang's face. I'll meet you at Vini's pizza shop on Fifth Avenue." Alex nodded and Mathew just sighed as Alex tugged on his arm. They walked off and I started forward both boldly, and boredly almost like a cat saunters through a courtyard it feels it owns or a wolf walking through a forest it knows it won't be challenged in.

The people who saw me had varying reactions. Those that thought of me as a pretty good guy waved or nodded in my direction and I nodded back, the girls who I'd dated over the years blew me the occasional kiss or wave and I smiled at them, and the people who thought of me as an enemy scowled. I smirked at them and motioned for them to come get me even as I came closer to Devan and stopped sauntering only to stand up tall and get a hard look in my eyes. Many that had originally intended to go after me backed off at the look in my eyes when I saw Devan, and others just stopped to watch the show. Those that were my friends ran off to stall the teachers long enough for the fight to start, end, and me to get off school grounds and make an alibi.

One of Devan's goons, I think his name was Riko, glanced at me then nudged Devan who was busy pummeling the shit out of a young freshman named Erik Lexan, and pointed at me. I smirked at Devan and said "Hey Dev, my foot missed your ass, so I thought I'd come kick it again." A few people who were watching laughed at that, but most just watched to see how Devan would react. They were the ones who knew Devan and I had history, you see Devan and I hadn't gotten along since my first day at the school. He'd heard about my history in my home town so he'd tried to recruit me into his gang of thugs and I turned him down.

This led to the two of us getting into a huge fight that the entire school came out to watch. We destroyed a ton of school property, and in the end I won with only three cracked ribs, a sprained wrist, and a concussion. Devan ended up with a broken nose, and black eye, a busted kneecap, bruising all over his body, and a cracked skull. He'd spent a week in the hospital ward, I'd spent a day then we'd both been warned that if we caused that kind of damage to the school again they'd kick us out in a heartbeat. We'd had minor fights over the years since then, but none of them that would have gotten us expelled from collateral damage. We were also careful to make sure that the winner was the one who took all the blame, which was why I had twenty something demerits. Devan had yet to beat me, though he got harder to beat every time we fought. Which is why it was no surprise, that everyone who'd watched our fights, refused to laugh and instead actually elbowed, or did something similar to interrupt the laughing of anyone who had and shook their heads at them trying to get them to stop.

Devan watched me for a few seconds then laughed and said "You haven't changed at all Daniels. I thought I told you when we first met, if you keep pushing your luck one of these days I'm going to get serious and fucking kill you." I smiled slightly and said "Bigger, Better, Stronger, Faster, Smarter, and, though I hate to say it, even dumber men have tried. What makes you think you'll succeed where all of them have failed Masters? I mean come on Devan you've been threatening me for the last four fucking years, ever since I turned you down on joining your stupid gang." Devan stared at me as if I'd just done the worst thing I could have possibly done, which I may have. He didn't care how much I insulted him, but his gang was all he had. He glared at me then reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife.

I raised an eyebrow at the knife but showed no other outward reaction except for my hands clenching and my voice hardening as I said "Come on then. I'll gladly fucking make sure you pay for the crimes you've committed against humanity, and everything else in this world. I can almost see the chaos you've caused and are going to cause and I'll gladly stop as much of it as I can." Devan stared at me and must have not liked what he saw because he took a step back then Riko said "You can kick his ass boss, he's unarmed and you have a knife. Plus you've worked out a lot since the last time you two fought." With the encouragement of his gang Devan was a completely different person. I could feel it in the way he looked at me.

I sighed and said softly "Looks like your determined. Guess this time there's no holding back." I slowly slid my right foot back and set myself in a loose fighting stance watching his every move and waiting for the telltale sign of him rushing forward. Devan locked up then charged at me. I sighed and noticed the knife arm was pointed forward almost like a charging rhinoceros and made a mental note to keep what I did next in mind as I ducked low then brought my arm up under his wrist and flipped him over my head just behind the blade. He slammed into the ground and I pivoted on my foot then slammed my other leg down into his shoulder hearing it break with a loud snap then kicked him in the side causing his ribs to bend inward with a sickening crack of their own.

I stared at him with cold emotionless eyes then said softly "You brought this upon yourself," before bringing my leg down and knocking him out with a well-placed blow next to his temple. I turned and walked out the front gate without a word and with what a few of my friends later told me was a cold look in my eye then walked to Vini's where Mathew and Alex were waiting at our usual spot with a half cheese, half peperoni pizza, a glass of cola, and a plate of breadsticks waiting for me. Alex grinned and said "You got here just after the food. When we told Vini you were coming he said 'Oh young Daniel's think nothing of it I'll leave him a glass then, since he helped my nephew get into the school.' Speaking of which how did you get his nephew in?" I smiled as I slid a piece of pizza onto my plate and a few breadsticks then said "That's my little secret, just know that it took a bit of effort, and I couldn't let the kid sit on the streets with brains like his. I'm glad he graduates next year, and from what he said with top grades to."

I grinned as I thought about something then held up my glass and said "To graduation the future the past and good friends." Alex smiled and tapped his cup against mine then Mathew slowly did the same muttering under his breath about a toast being a waste of time. The three of us then took long drinks and dove into the pizza with abandon. After about ten minutes Vini's nephew little Johnny walked in with his father big John. John saw us and walked over with a smile while Johnny went into the kitchen to help his Uncle make more pizza.

I glanced up and said "Hey John, what's up?" He smiled and said "Hi Jason. Hello Alex. Hi there Mathew. How are you three doing today?" I shrugged and the others grinned and held up thumbs up signs. I yawned and said "What's up John, I thought you wanted nothing to do with your brother's pizza place?" John shrugged and said "I don't like working in this place, I'm his accountant though so I have to occasionally drop by, plus Johnny always loves coming here. So what's up?" I shrugged and said "Just killing time and enjoying food with friends, you?"

He laughed and said "I'm checking up on all the businesses I'm the accountant of. I figured I'd best check their books in person at least once a week so I have nothing to worry about, then they know I actually care about them, unlike many companies." I nodded in understanding then Vini came out and the two of them hugged each other and started speaking Italian at each other. I watched them a few minutes as the others finished and put their cups on their plates waiting for what I decided we should do next and for me to pay the check. Vini and John finished talking then Vini walked over and said "Well boys I guess I should give you your bill so you can get out of here." He glanced at me then gave me a hug and said "I'd love to give you a discount but sadly I cannot. So the bill is an even twenty five dollars." I pulled out the cash and handed it to him then motioned for the others to come on as I got up and shook Vini's hand.

Mathew and Alex slowly climbed up then the three of us headed to Denny's Delights the local ice-cream shop. The girl who ran the place, Laura, was the owner's granddaughter. Her grandmother had opened it back in the fifties and her family had owned it ever since. Laura was one of the members of our group who came and went so to speak; she hung out with us, but only rarely anymore. When we were younger the four of us hung out all the time, but now she hung out with other people instead. She glanced up as we walked in and smiled then called out "Hey guys, want me to get you the usual and meet you at your booth?" I nodded in thanks and the three of us headed over there then I slid into the back corner staring out the window thinking about the world and just how life seemed to be fucking everything over lately.

As Laura brought our ice-cream I ate mine thinking about the things that made the last couple weeks seem so shitty. Our friend Damon had left the group for no apparent reason, my old friends stopped talking to me out of the blue, and then there was that weird letter from my Uncle, couple that with the fight today, the fact graduation was going to be full of people, and my dislike of the school, and this year had just turned out to be one total load of bull. I sighed and finished my ice-cream then paid for it and headed back to the dorm and crashed on my bed.

The rest of the time up to graduation passed rather uneventfully. However on graduation day things got rather hectic. It started with Alex and Mathew flipping my bed over that morning and saying something about not wanting to be late. I mumbled an incoherent, even to my own ears, retort, from under the bed then slowly got up and took a shower. After that I walked to the spare room and worked out really quick before walking to the bathroom and taking a much needed shower. I couldn't remember my dreams, which was unusual for me, but I just shook it off as graduation day nerves. When I came out of the shower Mat and Alex threw my clothes at me with a simple "Never handling your clothing again, clean or dirty." Then they ran out the front door heading for the cafeteria.

I thought about following them then shook my head and sat down to write up my journal on my laptop, which I'd started shortly after my aunt had died. I wrote for about two hours then got up and walked to graduation practice where I listened to the dean bitch about how things weren't going exactly as he'd hoped they would, and wondered if I really wanted to attend the actual ceremony. As I stood there in my cap and gown I saw a strange figure run out a side door. I thought about following it then shook my head and just continued on with the damn practice. When it was over I started searching around for whatever the hell it was I'd seen, it had looked like a large dog, but that couldn't have been because the school didn't allow pets.

About ten minutes into my search I ran into Maria Estavia. Maria had what Mat's friend, Ron, called an eleven out of ten body. It meant her figure was so perfect it was off the scale. I disagreed, but to each his own I guess. Whether Ron was right or not, one thing Maria definitely didn't have going for her was that she hated my guts almost as much as Devan. I'd gotten her older brother Enrique thrown into jail for drug abuse at the start of this year, and she swore she'd get me back before I could leave. I smiled at her politely and prepared to leave when she said "Hey Daniels is it true your parents died from a car crash, or did they just ditch you with your stupid uncle because of how fucking ugly you were as a baby?" I stopped dead and tried to control my anger at that comment. Maria was one of the few who could push my buttons on the parent thing, because her dad worked with some government agency and my parents were only reported as missing. She rubbed it in every chance she got, since she knew I'd always thought they were dead.

I slowly started walking again as she said "I bet your bitch of an aunt committed suicide so she wouldn't have to deal with you anymore. I mean come on, who would want to live in the same house as a boy who prefers talking to animals, to spending time with pretty girls." I kept walking resisting the urge to throw a jibe back until finally Maria said "I bet that bitchy ex of yours is fucking Devan right now, just to get back at you for breaking her heart." I slowly turned around starting to see nothing as the anger filled my eyes. Maria smirked then said "I thought you didn't hit women, dog kisser."

I stared at her and said softly "Pick ten guys. I don't give a fuck who they are, or how strong they are. I will meet them in front of the school as soon as graduation is over. If I kick their asses you fucking stop this shit about my family. If they manage to beat me into submission then you get the satisfaction of that, and obviously get to do whatever the fuck you want with the beaten me. Now get the fuck out of my sight you daughter of a whoremonger. Before I break one of the things I've held sacred since the death of my aunt."

Maria smirked at me then turned and walked away laughing. I watched her go then slowly forced myself to calm down and go back to searching for that weird animal I'd have sworn I'd seen earlier. However after about an hour I gave up and walked to the school's gym then started working on the heavy bag for the boxer's letting out some of my aggression. After about ten minutes my friend Lucia walked up with a towel around her shoulders and two bottles of water. She offered me one, which I gratefully took, then sipped from the other and asked "So what's got you pissed off enough that you decided to drop by the gym?" I glanced at her as I finished the water bottle and said "I ended up running into one of my least favorite people today and she pissed me off. I know you have more questions so ask."

Lucia laughed and just watched as I went back to working on the heavy bag then said "You have any reason to stay for graduation?" I shrugged and kept beating the ever living heck out of the bag wondering what her third and final question would be. You see Lucia had a habit of asking people three questions whenever she saw them, no more, and no less. I'd gotten used to her habit so whenever she started asking questions I'd just answer all three and call it done unless she decided to continue at a later time. After about five minutes she asked "You really going home when this is all over?" I nodded and slammed my fist into the bag so hard the chain snapped and it flew up into the ceiling then came down onto the floor with a heavy thump. Lucia sighed and patted my shoulder then walked off, knowing I really wasn't in a talkative mood by what I'd just done.

I watched her go then turned and walked over to the speed bag and started punching it rapidly letting my mind wander and my body relax. After about ten minutes I stopped and walked to the showers feeling a bit better about the day. I knew it wouldn't last, but I figured I'd savor it while I could. I walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower then changed into a new t shirt and jeans before heading back to my room. Along the way I ran into my friend Tom and his little sister Meira. Tom was about six foot two, and Meira was five foot six. They both had dark brown hair that on Tom went down to his shoulders, and on Meira went down to about mid-back. Tom had a dark tan, while Meira was a slightly lighter version of his tan, and both of them were wearing identical t shirts and jeans. However Meira was wearing simple sneakers, while Tom was wearing his classic combat boots.

After a few seconds, Meira smiled at me and Tom motioned for me to stop with a smirk. I raised an eyebrow and he said "I hear you're finally doing something to shut up Maria. Good I was really getting tired of you letting her walk all over you." Meira nodded and I just shrugged then said "Anything else I should have done a long time ago in your opinion?" Tom thought about it a few minutes then said "Yeah, you should have given Devan his final beat down years ago, not waited until a few days ago. Then again I'm not complaining, since he hasn't done anything to anyone since you kicked his ass. Also Meira said she wanted to talk to you about something, so I'm going to head back to my room." He then turned and walked off leaving Meira and me standing there. I raised an eyebrow at his back then shrugged and turned to face Meira who was looking at the ground. After a few seconds she glanced up at me through her bangs and said softly "How've you been?"

I shrugged and said softly "Alright I guess, been getting into the usual fights and what not, but that's not a big deal really." She nodded then said softly "Be careful when you fight with Maria's goons. I heard you were taking on ten of them, o she'll probably pick her ten strongest this time. I know you're strong, but they won't fight fair, and Maria will probably promise them something they really want." I smiled at her in thanks then said "That's all good to know, it means I won't have to hold back or fight fair either." Meira looked up into my eyes and studied me then smiled and said "If that's the case then I bet you'll do really well, I can't wait to see how Maria reacts to you beating her guys." I smiled and said "Come after graduation and find out." She nodded then turned and walked off smiling to herself.

I watched her go then continued to my dorm and plopped down on my bed as Alex and Mat walked in. I glanced at them as Alex sat on his bed and Mat leaned on the wall watching me. I think I should take the time to describe my friends, since I forgot to earlier. Alex is about six feet tall, has long brown hair that looks like a mess, where's sun glasses, and has a neatly trimmed beard. He's usually seen wearing dark clothing and jeans. Mat on the other hand is about 5'11 has black hair, refuses to wear any sort of eye protection no matter what he's doing, usually wears lighter colored clothing and shorts, and has a bandanna wrapped around his upper arm. Alex's disposition was a bit darker than Mat's, which was no surprise, seeing as how the two argued all the time.

I yawned as Alex said "Ready for the ceremony? I mean you are the one who has to get up and introduce everyone." I smirked at him and said "I've been ready; I'm just waiting for someone to tell me when the hell graduation is." Mat glanced up and said softly "Graduation is at twelve, and should be over by three. So your fight will start between three and seven if you're lucky." I nodded and closed my eyes deciding to take a nap since it was only nine. As soon as my eyes finished closing I found myself standing in a barren wasteland. I sighed and mumbled "Oh great, first time in weeks that I dream and my dream is of a bloody wasteland."

I kicked a rock and blinked as it rolled over and showed me Alex's face, only trapped in a look of fear. I stared at it a few seconds then kicked it again, sending it flying with a disgusted look. I followed it's trajectory with my eyes then turned back to try and study the wasteland around me. The first thing I noticed was that unlike a desert or mountain range the ground was black and scarred, almost as if a large explosion had destroyed the area. Also, the rock formations were extremely unnatural, almost as if they were ruins. Suddenly I heard something moving and instinctively ducked behind a large boulder. I stared at the boulder I was crouching behind and mumbled "Oh fuck, this is just wonderful, looks like I'm dreaming of the aftermath of World War three." The "boulder" was actually a collapsed wall with a misshapen window in the very top of it that I could look through if I was careful.

I slowly glanced through the window and held back a gasp as I saw a strange disjointed figure cover in rags wander into view growling and snarling to itself. I blinked as I saw a knobby scaled arm come into view and suddenly snatch a piece of glass from the ground. The creature seemed to study the glass for a bit, giving me time to study its appendage. The arm was long, if as I stated before misshapen and bent like a tree limb, it was covered in strange black scales that overlapped and the skin must have been rather tough because it was gripping the glass really tightly, and yet still hadn't cut itself. I watched as a long snakelike tongue came out and seemed to sniff the air then the creature crushed the glass with a simple flex of its hand and a soft curse.

I started to lower myself to the ground and my foot slipped causing the creature to startle and turn in my direction as if trying to catch a glimpse of me. I stayed perfectly still watching as the beast's tongue slowly flicked through the air then it turned and stalked of in the direction I'd thrown the macabre statuette of Alex's head. I breathed a soft sigh of relief as it left then gasped softly as I saw it had a long lizard like tail protruding from behind it that was covered in the same strange black scales, and yet had blood red spikes sticking out of it at strange angles almost like they'd grown irregularly, and were used as a weapon.

After a few minutes the creature left my sight and I slowly got up then started walking in the direction the thing had come from, deciding that I needed to find out as much about this world as possible, and the thing obviously had to have some sort of base of operations. I had no real reason to assume that the direction it had come from was the direction in which it lived, but I figured that was my best chance with what little information I had. I walked slowly and occasionally glanced at the sky, realizing that even though I had to have been there for at least an hour, the sky had neither lightened nor darkened at all. I shivered wondering what could possibly live in a world where the sun never fully showed itself.

After what felt like hours, but was probably only minutes, I heard soft sobbing ahead of me. I dropped to all fours and started crawling along trying to find the source of the sobbing, and getting myself covered in the black dust that seemed to be the only ground in this wasteland in the process. After a few minutes I heard the sound coming from the rock ahead of me and slowly peaked over it. I blinked as I saw a young girl who had the features of an animal crying over the body of a little boy who couldn't be more than ten years old. For some reason the sight wracked me with terrible pain, and I felt the urge to avenge the boy's death, no matter the cost to myself. I guess I must have let out a sound in my anger because suddenly the girl turned toward me and said "Who's there? Answer me, or I won't hesitate to come after you!" I sighed softly and rose to my feet, studying the girl in the process.

The first thing I noticed was that she was a dog and human hybrid. Next I realized that she was probably only fifteen or sixteen at most, since her face hadn't quite gotten the hard edges adulthood tends to give to people, third I noticed her coat was a light brown that reminded me of chocolate. I continued to study her as she motioned for me to come forward. As I walked forward saw her eyes were a hazel color, and showed a lot of fear. I glanced at her ears which were slightly back on her head as if to show just how wary of me she was, and saw that they were the floppy ears of most hunting dogs. I glanced down and saw that her feet ended in brown paws, and she had a digitigrade stance. I slowly let my eyes move up her body from her hips, noticing that she had an excellent figure despite seeming to be underweight.

She was wearing a pair of black shorts that looked like they'd seen better days, and for a shirt she had bandages wrapped around her chest and midway down her stomach exposing her navel and the fur around it. On her hands was a pair of black sleeveless gloves, which matched the bracers on her ankles. She wore a simple silver necklace with a heart on it around her throat, which reflected the light rather easily. She motioned for me to stop and said softly "What do you want, demonikin?" I raised an eyebrow then glanced down at myself and saw that I looked as dark as the creature I'd seen earlier from all the dust that had gotten on me as I crawled closer to the spot the girl had seen me at.

I sighed softly and slowly started to dust myself off revealing that I wasn't quite what she believed of me. She stared at me then said softly "I thought all the older humans were safely locked within the compounds, and only we Anthroan's and the Demonikin were locked out. What are you doing outside the wall? Are you a scavenger looking for survivors?" I stared at her lost and she studied me then said softly "No, the scavengers always wear a specific uniform, and those clothes look as if they belong to another time period." Suddenly she stopped dead staring behind me.

I started to ask what was wrong when a voice said in a deep hiss "Ah an Anthroan girl. I was wondering if any of your kind had been left by the scavengers. It appears I got lucky, and there's even a human with you. He'll make a fine meal, or if I turn him into the palace I may just get a reward, since he looks strong. I knew choosing my territory in the ruins of human civilization was a good idea." I slowly turned around to see the figure from earlier was standing on a large rock pile watching the two of us. I mumbled softly, knowing the girl could hear me "Take the boy's body and run. I'll buy you as much time as I can." She stared at me as I glanced back at her then gave an imperceptible nod before saying just loud enough I could catch it "My name is Aria, if you should ever need help after this just go to any of the Anthro colonies and tell them you saw me. I'm the daughter of Seeker Tamari. Who are you?"

I smiled at her then turned back to face the creature and said "The name's Jason, Jason Roland or Jason Daniels. I'll see you once I deal with this guy, Aria. However no matter what, don't stop until you're far out of his "territory." If you have to, keep running till you get back to wherever the hell you live. I get the feeling he won't follow you once you cross whatever boundary he's set up. I don't know why, but I feel like I have to keep you safe." Aria stared at me for a few minutes then nodded and ran off as I rushed toward the creature which snarled at the sight of her running. I picked up a rusty pipe as I ran toward it then swung the pipe with all my strength, causing the thing to hiss and turn its attention to me.

I smirked at the thing which said in a sinister voice "Oh I'll enjoy cutting you up. I doubt the masters will be too angry, if you can still walk and work. I'll just remove your impudent tongue, and maybe cut up that pretty face a little bit." I shivered at the thought of this thing calling me pretty and slammed the pipe into the side of its head; however its tongue snaked out and ripped the pipe from my hands then it bit the pipe in half and spat it on the ground before slashing at me. However years of fighting had left me with finely trained instincts, which just barely saved me. I moved back just in time causing the thing's claws to miss me by a mere two or three inches.

The thing glanced past me and swore violently then said "You let her get away; I guess I'll just have to use you to satisfy myself in her place." I grimaced in disgust at what the creature was saying then jumped back as the thing swung it's hand at me again, only this time it's fingers were closed into a fist rather than open and ready to slash. I blinked as I felt something hit my back and glanced up to see I was next to what was left of a street light. I swore vehemently then tried to move, only to find my feet were caught up in the damn thing's wires. I shook my head muttering softly and bent down to disentangle myself, that was the only thing that saved me from a nasty blow to the head as the creature swung it's fist toward where my face had just been.

I quickly rolled out of the way and rushed at the thing, only to jerk awake in my bed with Alex and Matt leaning over me saying "Jason, wake the fuck up!" I shook my head and slowly glanced at them questioningly then Matt said "Dude you have to get ready for graduation, it's already eleven thirty." I swore and jumped up then pulled on the stuff I'd need for graduation and ran to the auditorium where everyone was lining up. I slipped into the gymnasium and behind the curtain as the dean started talking to everyone about the students in the school. His secretary, a handsome woman who could almost always be seen with a book in her hands, smiled at me and motioned for me to get ready to introduce the class.

I nodded and went over my speech in my head then watched as the Dean introduced me and stepped out of the way. I slowly walked forward and started to give my speech. Most of the crowd was parents and family of my classmates, so I focused on the achievements of the class. After that graduation kind of flew by. I sighed after I got my diploma then slipped out of the auditorium and tossed the last of my stuff in my bag when I made a quick run to my room to change. When I got there I pulled on a simple light blue t shirt, and a pair of dark blue jeans. As I started for the door I slipped on my sneakers and wrapped my arms up with bandages, having a feeling I'd need them.

I walked out to the front of the school where Maria and her ten chosen fighters stood. I sighed as I realized she chose the ten people who were most likely to actually do some real damage to me on their own, let alone in a group. Three were football players, two were thugs in the local gang, and the other five were members of the martial arts classes and club. I sighed softly and walked up then said "Hello gentlemen, bitch from hell. I'm here to fulfill our date."

Maria smirked at me and said "Boys, make sure when you kick his ass that you make him cry for me. Also don't hesitate to break a few bones." I smiled at her as she turned and walked away then the guys started forming a loose half circle around me seeing if I would try to take a break for it. I sighed and slowly brought my hands up, moving my feet into a loose fighting stance, and said "Whenever you boys are ready. Though I'm curious what that slut could have possibly offered you guys to get you to come after little old me." They ignored my question and mumbled among themselves, probably making a plan of some sort, so I rushed forward and slammed my palm into the chin of one of the martial artists, knocking him backward and cracking his jaw.

The other nine stepped back a bit and watched me a bit more warily realizing I'd just knocked out one of their comrades all because they weren't paying me any attention. I smirked at them and said softly "Learn your opponent's skill before assuming you can beat him with numbers." Meanwhile Maria watched from across the road with an irritated look on her face. I smirked to myself and jumped back wondering why my body felt so light every time I started fighting then blew a lock of my dirty blonde hair out of my eyes. I blinked as I felt something like a ten pound hammer be driven into my side then glanced down and saw it was one of the martial artists. He must have hit me while I was moving my hair.

I instinctively grabbed his hand and dragged him down with me coughing up a spit and nearly vomiting on him. I slammed him into the ground behind me then got up and slammed my foot into his side snarling softly. He let out a soft gasp as I kicked him away then slowly climbed to my feet coughing, but ready for whatever they did next. Suddenly one of the thugs rushed at me swinging a knife. I tried to dodge, but my reaction time was fucked over by the lack of breath in my body so he managed to score a few cuts on my arms, and one on my cheek. However he had to slightly overextend to get me.

I grabbed his arm and twisted it causing him to drop the knife then pulled him close and slammed my forehead into his mumbling softly "Gods I hate doing this, I always think I'm going to get brain damage." The guy shook his head slowly and I slammed my knee into his groin, then I punched him in the stomach. He stepped back coughing and I swung my foot knocking him out with a well-placed kick, even as three other guys slammed their fists into my back and sides. I dropped to my knees coughing up a small stream of blood and heard Maria laughing. For some reason that set me off and adrenaline flooded my veins causing me to start to see red.

I got to my feet ignoring the pain and slammed two guys' heads together then kicked back hitting the third in the groin. As he fell I turned around and started kicking him in the side before twisting around and slamming my elbow into another one's face knocking him back a bit. I slowly counted the ones who were down as the guy grabbed his nose, which was now gushing blood. Suddenly I had to hold back a scream as I felt a burning sensation in my lower back and heard someone say "Take that you fucking prick." I slowly stepped forward causing the guy's knife to slip out of my back then turned around and slammed my knee into his stomach resisting the urge to puke up everything I'd eaten from the pain.

Instead I just coughed up a bit of blood and turned to face the next guy who'd watch the others and was studying me carefully. I wiped my mouth off and he said softly "You can't win." I smirked and said "I have to; I have a plane to catch tomorrow, so let's get this over with." He nodded and the two of us rushed at each other then started punching and kicking without any worry about what was going on around us. After about ten minutes we were both covered in bruises and the rest of Maria's goons had limped away. The guy and I smirked at each other, but we both knew he had a slight advantage from the knife wounds in my back, and on my hands and face. I said softly "Guess I'll have to end this quick." Then I burst out laughing because I sounded so much like a videogame or Japanese TV show character.

The other guy chuckled and said "Nice, just nice. Now as you said, guess we'll have to end this quickly. I have things I need to do, and you have a plane to catch." I nodded and the two of us rushed at each other. I barely dodged a punch he aimed at my head then put my hands together and bashed him in the face with both of them. He stared at me for a second then his eyes glazed over and he passed out. I smirked and said "Told you I had to end it quick." I turned and looked at Maria then said "Time to pay up on our deal." She slowly nodded then walked over then stared me in the eyes and said softly "I'll stop insulting your family. I guess my big brother was right about your ability to fight though."

I just shrugged and limped to the nurse's office. Lia Juarez, who was the school nurse, took one look at me and said "Why do you always end up getting hurt on important days?" I shrugged and slowly lied on my stomach on a hospital bed as she grabbed a needle and thread then started to sew up the cut in my back. I didn't let out a sound; however she could obviously tell that I was in pain by how my muscles occasionally jerked as she slipped the needle in and out of my flesh. After about ten minutes she waved her hand for me to turn over and I did so then she sewed up my arms before applying new bandages and but a bandage on the cut on my jaw.

I winced at the sting of the ointment she used then sighed as she applied a different ointment to the bruises on the rest of my body and handed me my shirt. I pulled it on with a nod of thanks then hopped to my feet and walked out wondering how I got away with so few injuries despite facing ten guys. I just sighed and shook my head then went to my room and passed out on my bed, slipping back into that weird dream world the moment my eyes closed.

I found myself lying on top of the collapsed creature and mumbled "I guess when I woke up my dream body slammed into him full force." I rubbed a crick out of my neck then climbed to my feet and kicked the guy swearing loudly. I glanced down and saw that I was now wearing the clothes I'd been wearing when I went to sleep and mumbled "Weird." Then I turned and started following the footsteps of the girl I'd met earlier. I walked for at least an hour before I found a channel full of brown water that had a strange smell to it. I stared at it and mumbled "How can anyone survive on this shit?" I jumped across it not trusting the smell, and then continued walking until I found a few palm trees, and an actual oasis. I stared at the water, realizing it was actually clear, then slowly bent down and took a few drinks before sitting by a tree and trying to put my thoughts about this world in order.

As soon as I sat down however I found myself sitting up in bed. I blinked and glanced to the side then saw what had woken me was my alarm clock. I sighed and quickly took a shower then changed, ignoring my reflection yet again, before grabbing my stuff and running for the door. I got the first bus I could find that would take me to the airport. The bus ride was about a half hour long, and I had time to mull over my dream as I sat there. I started by going over the three most obvious races, and wondering what other races their might be, and what they might each entail. Then I just went on from there.

Sadly by the end of the ride I was no closer to a satisfactory answer than when I'd first fallen asleep. I sighed and got off the bus then went through all the usual shit at the airport before getting on my plane and waiting for take-off. After about five minutes, the plane took off and I stared out the window admiring the scenery and studying the wing of the plane. After a few hours the plane finally landed in the airport by my uncle's town then I caught a cab and headed to his place. As soon as I got there I called him and we had a nice conversation. Sadly I felt like he was keeping something from me so I grabbed the keys to his old Ford Mustang and walked into the garage then started driving it toward his lab.

When I was within twenty feet of the lab someone burst out of the bushes alongside the road and I pulled over. The figure was covered in blood and seemed to be having trouble so I reached over and opened the door for them. I stared at the blood and said "Holy Hell sir, are you ok?" Then I gasped as I realized it was Uncle Robert. I glanced behind him and saw Donna, the dog girl he'd told me about. I quickly opened the back door and she hopped in as I pulled my uncle in. I didn't hear what he said next other than something about getting home so I closed the passenger door behind him and reversed the car then turned it around and drove him home, fast.

As soon as we got to the house Donna helped Uncle Robert out and I grabbed his stuff then held the door open for them. They walked to the living room and Donna laid him on the couch. I looked at Donna questioningly and she said softly "Do you have your uncle's stuff?" I nodded and Uncle Robert said softly "Good. I have a few things to tell you. The first is that you can't tell anyone about the letters I wrote you, or their contents. The next is you must keep Donna safe, and the fact she exists quiet for at least a year." I nodded slowly and Uncle Robert smiled then proceeded to explain to me all about the project he and Uncle David had been working on.

After he finished talking about the sins he breathed in deeply and I held up a hand to stop him then said softly "What does the black angel you mentioned have to do with the sins?" Uncle Robert coughed softly ad said "It's a fail-safe. Should they go out of control; the black angel can correct them. However, with what I did, the awakening of the black angel will also awaken the demon gene trapped throughout humanity." I stared at him lost and he coughed then said "Everyone has what we call an angel, and demonic gene. Most never awaken either, but should the project awaken again the demon gene and angel gene will be awakened, as well as the serum injected into those wanting anthromorphic forms that didn't react at first. The awakening of the black angel will awaken everything."

He coughed up a stream of blood and continued "The awakening of the black angel will coincide with Hell's gate opening. Hell's gate is the name of the project that awakens those silent genes. It will also put back to sleep the archangel, and the other older projects that awakened themselves when the sins, which were a barrier upon their genes, were put to sleep. It's up to you, to decide if the sins should be reawakened or not. If so, there must be a black angel to stop them, remember that Jason." He smiled sadly at me then closed his eyes and I watched as his chest stopped moving. I felt tears form at the corners of my eyes then broke down into sobs realizing that I was finally alone in the world.

The tears fell from my eyes like rain drops from a clear sky and Donna hugged me tightly whispering that it would be ok. I sighed softly then walked outside and grabbed a shovel. Donna followed me and watched as I slowly dug my uncle's grave then said softly "Jason, are you ok?" I shook my head, feeling empty and hollow inside yet knowing the emptiness would pass. As I dug I let my mind wander over everyone who'd ever been hurt since I'd walked into their lives, or because of the simple fact I'd been born. I started with my parents who'd mysteriously disappeared, then went on to my Aunt who passed away from an incurable disease, then to Uncle David, as well as all my friends who'd been hurt over time, before finally focusing on Uncle Robert.

By the point I was thinking of Uncle Robert and everyone else I had a hole that was about ten feet deep and three feet long, because Donna had jumped down and started helping me out. It also helped that it had obviously rained throughout the day so the ground was very moist. We quickly widened the whole to three feet across, and six feet long then I got out and walked inside to pick up Uncle Robert.

As soon as I saw him I had to hold back tears, then slowly walked over and bent down to pick him up. His wounds had crusted over so my moving them caused the scabs to break open and he started coughing. I stared at him completely lost for words then he said softly, almost as if he was talking to himself "Have to remember to look at Roland's notes. He said they'd be important to any who wanted to activate the black wing project. Didn't say why, just told David who told me." He let out a raspy cough then said "Jenna, I feel it all fading so I know I'll be joining you shortly, wherever you are. I know you always loved Roland more than me, but you still chose to marry me when I asked. Thank you so much. You were right, Jason looks just like him. I wish you could have seen him, or at least said goodbye to Roland. He carries a lot of weight, but I think he can handle it. After all he is Alia and Roland's child."

He coughed again and said softly "Maybe he can make right what the three of us set so wrong. Roland said the project was foolish after we made the reapers, but David convinced him to keep going, why couldn't we have listened to him? I wish you could have known what we were doing back then, but you were so worried about Zane I couldn't tell you for fear it would distract you. The code, what code? Oh the code to my computer it's 5713 the day we met. It's always been that, don't you remember?" Suddenly he coughed out more blood than I thought the human body could contain and said softly "Jason, if you find the black angel tell them I'm sorry for the curse they will be forced to bear, but the sins must be reactivated. If not death and the archangel will destroy everything."

A few minutes later his eyes closed for the last time and his breathing stopped. I ended up crying again, and swore at myself for doing even that much then slowly climbed into the hole and laid him down, wishing I knew what to say to send him into the afterlife in peace. Donna helped me out and wiped my eyes then turned to the grave and said "Goodbye Doctor Robert, you were a brave and wonderful man, I wish I could have known you longer because you affected so many with your words and actions. May your journey to heaven be short and sweet, and may you be reunited with the ones you love." As Donna stopped speaking I swore to myself that I would do whatever it took to make my Uncle's life's work come into proper being as it had been meant to.

After that Donna and I buried Uncle David then she cleaned up the living room while I went up to my room and crashed on the bed. I had no dreams that night, and yet I get the feeling this was by design, rather than by coincidence. However as I slept I felt anger growing in my heart and swore to get vengeance on Zane and everyone in the world who'd ever deprived others of their life. I also swore to myself that I wouldn't condemn anyone else to the black angel project and so were the seeds for the angel of chaos born within me.