Chapter 1: Initial Meetings

A series of female screams was what had drawn her attention. However, as Sol entered the alley, it was eerily quiet except for heavy, panting breathing. Using her staff to generate more light, she ventured into the glum.

‘There’s too much blood,’ Sol thought as she stared at the prone figure of the girl lying in the street in front of her. The demonic creature turned as it finally became aware of her arrival. Even more blood dripped from its jaws, turning Sol’s stomach.

“Sol Celestial Wind!” She aimed the attack high, succeeding in missing the girl and hitting the monster in the upper torso.

It roared in pain and lunged at its attacker. Sol jumped to the side. However, she wasn’t quick enough and the creature’s claws raked deep gashes down her arm and side.

She tried to hit the creature with her staff, but it seemed unaffected by the blows. Roaring again, the monster swung his heavy arm and knocked Sol clear across the alley and into a brick wall. Gripping her staff tightly, she rose to her feet and fought to stay conscious.

“Sol Corona Flare!!”

The strike hit its target. The creature roared one final time as it began to glow. Then, it exploded, filling the alley with a burst of orange-red light.

Sol dropped her staff and it vanished. Despite her best efforts, the darkness was winning. She fell to knees and was unconscious before she hit the pavement.

* * * * *

“What have we got?” Detective Jonathan McKenzie asked, slipping underneath the crime scene tape.

A portly police officer looked up from his notebook. “Glad you’re here, Mac. This one’s pretty bad.”

Avoiding a puddle of blood, he studied the now crowded alley. “How bad?”

Ricco sighed as he flipped back to the beginning of his notes. “There are two victims, one deceased. The survivor appears to be a good Samaritan and is being treated by the EMTs now. They know to keep her so she can be interviewed.”

“A good Samaritan, huh?” Jonathan remarked. “I thought they were a dying breed. So what do we know about our assailant?”

“Nothing or next to it. Apparently he attacked both victims with some kind of bladed or pointed instrument. However, it wasn’t too sharp because the wounds on both women had very jagged edges, ruling out a true blade.”

“Unless it wasn’t a very sharp blade.”

“And we are assuming it’s a he,” Ricco added.

“In these cases, it usually is a he. Anything else?”

“Autopsy on the deceased should reveal more about the instrument used, and we’ll wait on the rest of the lab stuff as well. Oh, and one of our friends may be an additional witness.”

“Which one of our friends, Ricco?” Jonathan asked, repeating the sarcastic emphasis.

“Ian Michaels.”

“This can’t get worse, can it? Damn it, I bet you want me to interview him.”

“I want you to do both interviews,” his partner replied smoothly. “But, if I was you, I’d talk to our Samaritan first.”

“And why’s that?” Jonathan demanded, running a hand through his dark hair.

Ricco smiled. “Trust me, Mac. Just trust me.”

* * * * *

Not too many people would interrupt an attack, especially in this city. So, as he strolled toward the back of the ambulance, Jonathan envisioned some muscle-bound hulk. However, as the good Samaritan came into view, he paused.

“Do you need something?” the EMT asked impatiently, briefly looking up from his patient’s nearly bandaged wounds.

Jonathan flashed his badge. “I need to talk to your patient. How much longer?”

With a final bit of tape, the technician placed the last bandage. He rose to his feet and turned to Jonathan. “Just finished. Since you refused stitches, lady, you’re going to have some ugly scars.”

“I guess that’s my decision, isn’t it?” the woman replied, brushing her thick hair back from her face. “Thanks for the bandages though.”

He shrugged. “It’s my job. Okay, she’s yours.”

“Thanks,” Jonathan said, watching the other man leave. Assured that the man was out of hearing range, he turned his attention to the woman.

She was tall, almost hitting an even six feet if his guess wasn’t off too much. While she wasn’t a muscle-bound hulk, she was toned. But what drew his attention was her face, the creamy skin offset by vivid, emerald eyes and a mass of wavy red hair.

“Is there something you need, officer?” she asked, interrupting his inspection.

“I’m Detective Jonathan McKenzie, ma’am. I need to talk to you about the events of this evening.”

The lively green eyes continued to study him. “I see.”

“First, I need some information: your name, age, address and phone number for future contact.”

“My name is Celeste Halley. I’m twenty-three years old,” she supplied with the other information as well.

“Did you know the victim?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ve never met her.”

“Why were you out at this hour anyway, Ms. Halley?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m a college student, detective. I had done some research at the public library a few blocks away and was walking home. I heard someone, a woman, scream from the alley. I went in to see if I could help her and then I was attacked as well.”

“Did you get a good look at the attacker?”

“No,” Celeste said quietly. “It was too dark and it all happened to fast.”

“Nothing at all?” Jonathan prodded.

“Nothing that would help you.”

“Let me be the judge of that, Ms. Halley.”

“I didn’t see anything,” she snapped. With a sigh, she placed her good hand against her forehead and sighed. “Look, detective, it’s late. I want to go home. Is there any way we can do this at another time?”

Jonathan saw his partner, realizing he was listening to the whole interview. At his questioning look, Ricco nodded. With a slight nod of his own, Jonathan looked back down.

“That will be fine, Ms. Halley. I will call and arrange something with you tomorrow. An officer will escort you home.”

“That won’t be necessary.” She rose to her feet but began to sway.

Jonathan reached out a hand to steady her. “I’m afraid I must insist.”

He gestured for an officer to come over. As he waited, he glanced down at the ground and saw a flash of metal. Kneeling down, he found a strange gold medallion, almost like a brooch.

It was covered in strange symbols and markings. When he touched it, he felt a weird tingling in his entire arm. Wanting a closer look, he picked it up and stood up. Celeste saw a metallic flash in the weak light as Jonathan stood up.

“Oh, that’s mine. It must have fallen out of my purse.”

Ignoring the detective’s questioning look, she took the object. The additional officer arrived and agreed to escort Celeste home. As he watched her walk away, Jonathan couldn’t help but think he had seen her somewhere before.


Initial Meetings A series of female screams was what had drawn her attention. However, as Sol entered the alley, it was eerily quiet except for heavy, panting breathing. Using her staff to generate more light, she ventured into the glum. ‘There’s too much blood,’ Sol thought as she stared at the prone figure of the girl lying in the street in front of her. The demonic creature turned as it finally became aware of her arrival. Even more blood dripped from its jaws, turning Sol’s stomach. “Sol Celestial Wind!” She aimed the attack high, succeeding in missing the girl and hitting the monster in the upper torso. It roared in pain and lunged at its attacker. Sol jumped to the side. However, she wasn’t quick enough and the creature’s claws raked deep gashes down her arm and side. She tried to hit the creature with her staff, but it seemed unaffected by the blows. Roaring again, the monster swung his heavy arm and knocked Sol clear across the alley and into a brick wall. Gripping her staff tightly, she rose to her feet and fought to stay conscious. “Sol Corona Flare!!” The strike hit its target. The creature roared one final time as it began to glow. Then, it exploded, filling the alley with a burst of orange-red light. Sol dropped her staff and it vanished. Despite her best efforts, the darkness was winning. She fell to knees and was unconscious before she hit the pavement. * * * * * “What have we got?” Detective Jonathan McKenzie asked, slipping underneath the crime scene tape. A portly police officer looked up from his notebook. “Glad you’re here, Mac. This one’s pretty bad.” Avoiding a puddle of blood, he studied the now crowded alley. “How bad?” Ricco sighed as he flipped back to the beginning of his notes. “There are two victims, one deceased. The survivor appears to be a good Samaritan and is being treated by the EMTs now. They know to keep her so she can be interviewed.” “A good Samaritan, huh?” Jonathan remarked. “I thought they were a dying breed. So what do we know about our assailant?” “Nothing or next to it. Apparently he attacked both victims with some kind of bladed or pointed instrument. However, it wasn’t too sharp because the wounds on both women had very jagged edges, ruling out a true blade.” “Unless it wasn’t a very sharp blade.” “And we are assuming it’s a he,” Ricco added. “In these cases, it usually is a he. Anything else?” “Autopsy on the deceased should reveal more about the instrument used, and we’ll wait on the rest of the lab stuff as well. Oh, and one of our friends may be an additional witness.” “Which one of our friends, Ricco?” Jonathan asked, repeating the sarcastic emphasis. “Ian Michaels.” “This can’t get worse, can it? Damn it, I bet you want me to interview him.” “I want you to do both interviews,” his partner replied smoothly. “But, if I was you, I’d talk to our Samaritan first.” “And why’s that?” Jonathan demanded, running a hand through his dark hair. Ricco smiled. “Trust me, Mac. Just trust me.” * * * * * Not too many people would interrupt an attack, especially in this city. So, as he strolled toward the back of the ambulance, Jonathan envisioned some muscle-bound hulk. However, as the good Samaritan came into view, he paused. “Do you need something?” the EMT asked impatiently, briefly looking up from his patient’s nearly bandaged wounds. Jonathan flashed his badge. “I need to talk to your patient. How much longer?” With a final bit of tape, the technician placed the last bandage. He rose to his feet and turned to Jonathan. “Just finished. Since you refused stitches, lady, you’re going to have some ugly scars.” “I guess that’s my decision, isn’t it?” the woman replied, brushing her thick hair back from her face. “Thanks for the bandages though.” He shrugged. “It’s my job. Okay, she’s yours.” “Thanks,” Jonathan said, watching the other man leave. Assured that the man was out of hearing range, he turned his attention to the woman. She was tall, almost hitting an even six feet if his guess wasn’t off too much. While she wasn’t a muscle-bound hulk, she was toned. But what drew his attention was her face, the creamy skin offset by vivid, emerald eyes and a mass of wavy red hair. “Is there something you need, officer?” she asked, interrupting his inspection. “I’m Detective Jonathan McKenzie, ma’am. I need to talk to you about the events of this evening.” The lively green eyes continued to study him. “I see.” “First, I need some information: your name, age, address and phone number for future contact.” “My name is Celeste Halley. I’m twenty-three years old,” she supplied with the other information as well. “Did you know the victim?” She shook her head. “No, I’ve never met her.” “Why were you out at this hour anyway, Ms. Halley?” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m a college student, detective. I had done some research at the public library a few blocks away and was walking home. I heard someone, a woman, scream from the alley. I went in to see if I could help her and then I was attacked as well.” “Did you get a good look at the attacker?” “No,” Celeste said quietly. “It was too dark and it all happened to fast.” “Nothing at all?” Jonathan prodded. “Nothing that would help you.” “Let me be the judge of that, Ms. Halley.” “I didn’t see anything,” she snapped. With a sigh, she placed her good hand against her forehead and sighed. “Look, detective, it’s late. I want to go home. Is there any way we can do this at another time?” Jonathan saw his partner, realizing he was listening to the whole interview. At his questioning look, Ricco nodded. With a slight nod of his own, Jonathan looked back down. “That will be fine, Ms. Halley. I will call and arrange something with you tomorrow. An officer will escort you home.” “That won’t be necessary.” She rose to her feet but began to sway. Jonathan reached out a hand to steady her. “I’m afraid I must insist.” He gestured for an officer to come over. As he waited, he glanced down at the ground and saw a flash of metal. Kneeling down, he found a strange gold medallion, almost like a brooch. It was covered in strange symbols and markings. When he touched it, he felt a weird tingling in his entire arm. Wanting a closer look, he picked it up and stood up. Celeste saw a metallic flash in the weak light as Jonathan stood up. “Oh, that’s mine. It must have fallen out of my purse.” Ignoring the detective’s questioning look, she took the object. The additional officer arrived and agreed to escort Celeste home. As he watched her walk away, Jonathan couldn’t help but think he had seen her somewhere before.


Chapter 2: Questions and Some Answers Sol (AU): Dark is the Night Sarah's Sanctuary