Ethan's POV.

I gripped my captor's forearm. He was scrawny but strong! I pulled and scrapped at his pale skin as much as I could, trying to get free, but he didn't budge. Lily studied me in her gaze. It was soft, yet stern. She seemed to be telling me to stay calm and stop struggling.

"So." The rancid scent of whisky spread as the man breathed. I scrunched my nose and almost choked at the deadly stench. "You'll do anything to have this boy go free?" Lily's gaze travelled from my eyes to the scrawny man with the green leather jacket with a snake's head encrested on the shoulder.

"Anything....." He turned his head to smirk at his companions. I took the chance to bite down on his arm. Hard.

His yowl of pain and anger added to my growling adrenaline, as I hurled into Lily's protective arms. Burying my face into her chest, I clung to her t-shirt like a lifeline. Lily held me close, shielding me from the view of the four agents, as much as she could. I shut my eyes as I heard four loud gunshots.

Then I pulled back out of the room and into Lily's apartment. "Stay here ok?" She stroked my hair, before standing and going back into the room. She returned a few minutes later with bags full of my belongings.

"We can't stay here long." I choked out, following her into her bedroom. "Don't worry." She unpacked the things into her closet. "I'll have everything taken care of, Ethan." She pulled her closet door closed and sighed. 

"I'm going to shower. You stay out of trouble. Ok, bud?" She ruffled my hair before leaving the room." I smiled a little, nodding. I entered the living room and jumped onto the couch, grabbing the remote and flipping on the Tv.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles......" I muttered as a cartoon show began. "Cool!"

Dylan's POV. (The day before)

I woke up in a dumpster that morning. I pushed myself out of the stinking bin and shuddered as the stench stayed with me. I entered the house and kicked off my shoes. I shouldered off my hoodie and tossed it into the washing machine before slipping out of my other clothes and adding them as well, starting the cycle and heading towards to shower. No blood was on my clothes which was a good thing. Right? 

I didn't even know what day it was.... Monday? Tuesday? saturday? My head spun as I suddenly cried out in pain, collapsing to my knees. 

A flashback spirited through my head. A younger me standing on a dock, a girl by my side. She laughed and my heart fluttered. I groaned as the vision shifted. I was fighting off......'government soldiers'? They held me by the arms as a boy around my age smirked at me, sliding a knife against the same girl's cheek. She was unconscious in a chair, blood ran from her head, her hair was a mess. Her arms and face were bruised, and her eye was swollen. 

"How does it feel, Dylan?" He chambered a pistol and put it to my head. I screamed as I gripped my head, something fighting off the memories. A face replaced the memories. A man who's aura made me shiver. "Compliance will be rewarded." His face turned to a smirk. His unshaven beard was almost as unnerving as his strong, hypnotizing voice. His eyes seemed to swirl.

I felt myself going limp. "You know what's best, Dylan. It's best if you comply. Compliance will be rewarded." I tried to fight it. I really did. Gripping my head I stumbled to the bathroom, gripping the sink and splashing cold water on my face. 

The voice came back and so did the headache. "Are you ready to comply, Dylan Tanner?" I screamed in frustration, pain and fear. A dark, void clouded my vision and I punched the glass mirror in my effort to get the voice out of my head. One name zipped in my head for less than a deca second.

"L-Lily...."

Then all was darkness....

Lily's POV.

I stepped out of the shower and combed my fingers through my hair. The scent of citrus shampoo and conditioner seemed to calm my agitating nerves. I changed and walked out to my room, lying on the bed, sighing. The day was drawing to a close. I closed my eyes, my fingers absentmindedly fidgeting my Uncle's dog tags. 

Mom gave them to me for a reason. Because she thought I was ready to be the hero she once was. No. Not because I was the hero she hoped I was. Because I was the person I was. Lily Alexandra Hamato. The girl who lost everything and gave up everything to search for the love of her life and hopefully bring him back to sanity. 

If it really was Dylan who had been committing all the murders. Half of me knew it was him.....the other half......just refused to believe it. His never-ending smile and beautiful, playful gaze had been replaced with a cold stare, thinly pressed lips, and soulless, deep, dark orbs. 

I huffed and turned to my side on my good shoulder. 'The universe just hates me.....'

3rd Person's POV. 

"You make it too easy!" Jack Rodgers had beat his 12-year-old in call of duty again. His son grinned and shoved his father's arm in an attempt to distract him. "Dad, you're too hard on me! Loosen up a bit! Go easy on me!" Roy giggled. Jack chuckled. "Don't try to distract an ex-marine, kid, I'm undistractable!" 

Roy burst out laughing. "That's not even a word, dad." Jack shrugged. "It is if I say it is." Grace Rodgers walked into the room, leaning on the doorframe, beaming at her husband and son. "Jack. Alex is here for you." She chuckled. Roy lept off the couch and dashed past her. "Aunt Alex!" Jack stood and leaned back, cracking his back. 

"You getting old?" His wife looked up at him. He pouted and kissed her softly. "Not at all my love. I'm just getting ready to face the sister that wants my head." Grace chuckled. "She's your little sister Jack. She's not going to kill you."

* * * * * * * *

"I'm going to kill you." Alex glared at her older brother with such seriousness Jack stepped back a couple of steps. "The reason why she hasn't been answering any of my calls or doorbell rings is that you sent her out on a mission? AGAIN?!" 

Jack took a deep breath. "Alex, listen." 

"No! I'm not listening! You've sent my daughter out there to get herself killed! For the second time! She is not-"

"Alex she can handle this!" Jack rose up and took over in his older sibling role, and attitude. "She is more than able to handle this. Plus, I couldn't have stopped her if I tried...." 

Alex's gaze softened. "She thinks Dylan is the serial killer...." Jack sighed. "Or at least associated with him." 

Alex sighed, calming down. A little. Not completely. "DO you think she's-" "She's alive Alex. Don't worry. I'm sending Mark in soon to assist her anyways." Alex shook her head. "If this all blows up, I won't hesitate to blam her bloodshed on you, Jack." 

She turned and left the house. JAck watched her drive off, mumbling to himself.

"Love you too sis." 

Well, I am back with another chapter! Hit that vote button if you enjoyed! Comment what you thought was interesting! And share with those who would like this book as well! Love you all and thank you so much! Byeeeeee!!!!! For now.......(-o_o)

~Keziah