He had no place in this world, the only one of his kind rejected from the kingdoms of heaven and hell cursed to wander the Earth for all time. That was until, he was imprisoned inside a mountain in Chasity Lake. The maddening silence of the darkest prison, contained inside a dreary mountain, secret and hidden for a thousand years. Screams muffled from the rocky earth and loud rushing water of the falls, a curse contained the only captive in confinement. Eternity was approaching its end as freedom was soon upon him.

The soft whispers of footsteps awoke him from his eternal prison, stirring within him something he thought was lost long ago, hope. A thousand years trapped in silent darkness, to finally be freed.

Each blaring noise raised his spirit and when it stopped he was paralyzed with fear, fear he will no longer taste the fresh air, the feel of the elements on his skin besides earth, to hear sounds other than his own breathing, he feared the solitude once again.

He concentrated and opened his mind, what once came naturally to him long ago, now he had to work for and with great effort projected his thoughts. He sent out the message like a beacon in the mind of the man above "DIG". Repeating in his saviors mind overcoming all other thought, it would drive him mad and never breaking till he broke soil. The sound of a shovel breaking dirt resonated above him. He felt the stab of hope once more, waiting patiently as each crunch of the shovel brought him closer to his freedom. Rumbling turned to thuds as the shovel hit wood, his head whipped up towards the sky, light started to shine down towards his blackened prison.

Dust and debris fell with each jump the man exerted, the captive turned away when he heard the wood snap as well as his saviors leg when he plummeted. The cavern filled with the stench of coppery blood and pungent fear.

A scream echoed through the cabin, he marveled in it no longer tormented by solitude. His caked muddy feet slithered as he approached the broken man, trapped in the cavern with him. His movement slow like a predator stalking his pray, the noise didn't give his savior the same comfort it had given him. The prisoner crouched down next to the helpless man. His steel blue eyes unwavering at his rescuer. With a predatory smile he spoke, his voice crackled from lack of use.

"Your leg is broken" He glanced down at the leg twisted in the wrong angle

"I'm aware" He observed the young man's face, a thick beard, tears running down his cheeks. He looked up at the broken wooden planks, the hole above the only source of light and means of escape.

"It's a long way up to get out"

The man on the floor moved suddenly shifting his weight on his arms and groaned "You're Sterling right? You can get us out"

"I am, but I'm afraid if I had the power to leave this cell I would have a long time ago" Sterling stood up, his arms crossed behind his back and moved to one side of the cavern, across from the injured man. He watched as the man's skin paled and recognition dawned on his face, new bouts of tears and bawling cries echoed off the damp angular walls. He cleared his throat and confessed

"You have the power to set us free and I have the power to heal you." The man wiped his runny nose on his arm, tilting his head to one side, narrowing his eyes at Sterling. His voice cracked from despair.

"What do I need to do?"

Sterling stood and moved over to the center of the floor, a few steps shy from his rescuer. He dusted off the debris with his bare hands to reveal a large granite plaque, the curse that binds his soul to the cave. Sterling penetrated his eyes into the mans and informed

"Your blood on the seal will break the curse" The man nodded and pressed his hand on the cut of his broken leg, he bit his tongue to hold back the scream. Blood seeped out of his cargo pants, over the wound, soaking his hand. With his palm held upward he shimmied towards the smooth inscribed rock, The message was written in Sumerian. If he had been able to read the language he would have read the warning 'Destroyer of all Mankind'. A drop of blood started trickling down his wrist and he placed his bloody hand on top of the plaque.

The cavern rattled, splintered wood and rock fell from above, the granite plaque cracked from below. A white light bled from the stone and snuffed the darkness with radiance. Sterling welcomed the light while the man shielded from it.

The light faded, the moon now being their only source of illumination. Sterling stood and basked in the chilling night, filling his lungs with fresh air, dew clung to his skin and nearly wept when he saw the world outside the mountain for the first time in several decades.

Scrunching added to the music of the woods as Sterling approached the injured man who lay limp on the soggy earth. He squatted near the break and placed his hand above it, feeling the power in his fingertips. The man fidgeted in anticipation, waiting for his break to be healed, Sterling saw his reflection in the eager man's eyes, and removed his hands in thought. He was the one and only hybrid, the most powerful being on earth but needed more from the limp, broken man before him. He already owed the man but he needed to add to the debt, how could he live in a new world completely unknown to him?

Sterling drew in a deep breath and looked at the man with apologetic eyes before he put the palm of his hand on the broken leg. A yellow light radiated from his hands directed at the wound, screams of anguish were muffled by thick branches, abrasive boulders and thorny bushes that surrounded them. Sterling's body became intangible and he merged into the broken man, his soul inhabiting the body.

Sterling opened the eyes of the body he now resided, he stood up from off the ground, his injured leg healed. He felt lumps brushing his leg and patted the pockets to find small treasures. He pulled out a wallet and discovered the bodies license, a quick read told him that his new identity was Isaac Edan.

He walked the path in the woods, till the earth ended and asphalt began. The smooth surface of the ground was new, as the last civilized path he walked were cobble stones. As the small town of Chasity Lake slept, happiness danced through him, swinging his arms in the vast openness of the street. He stood and watched as the sky put on a private show, inky black morphed into purple hews. The melted sun rose from its pink and orange pool providing hope and promise of a new beginnings.

The faint scent of roasted coffee beans lingered in the air, people bustled out of their homes moving towards the aroma like drones. Sterling wandered the empty streets, he had the gift of enhanced speed but chose a leisurely pace as contentment spread through him. Chasity Lake, a town so small more people were on the roads than cars themselves. He enjoyed the heat warming his skin, the kind of rare morning that made people forget their worries, he smiled up at the sky. A wrinkled hand grazed Sterling's arm, he flinched at the sensation of being touched for the first time in a millennia.

"Are you alright, sonny?"

He gasped "I'm well" as he took a step back from the elderly women who invaded his space.

She kept her distance and gave him a once over, with a patient voice "You look to be injured and in need of a shower" Sterling looked down at his attire for the first time in the light, the morning sun magnifying the evidence of his escape from the encrusted blood to the grime of the murky woods. Panic surged through him and he turned away from the insightful women into the thick branches and zig zagging leaves kept him hidden from prying eyes.

Sterling looked behind him insuring he was alone before he reached into the mind of the body he processed. His eyes closed and the flashes of memories immersed him, he focused on Isaac's residence using the mind as a map to guide him to his temporary home.

It was later in the day, closer to the afternoon, when he managed to find Isaac's, apartment complex. A three story building with a curved wall, accented in yellow to give the apartment a unique character. Searching the pockets of his cargo pants, he found the keys to unlock his new home. After several attempts, Sterling entered, recoiling from the sight before him. The pungent odor of soiled clothes, left haphazardly on the floor. Rancid dishes with their own ecosystem littered the living room table and books opened sprawled on the kitchen bar counter.

Sterling massaged his shoulders, and raised his eyes up to the ceiling thinking it'll at least be a start to paying off his debt. Kicking the door behind him closed, satisfied by the click, he rolled up his sleeves and sped. His enhanced speed made quick work tidying and washing the home, when the stench of body order morphed into the smell of fresh linins he worked on scrubbing away last night's escapades.

Entering the bathroom looking into the face of the borrowed man, grime caked on his blond beard and hair. He pulled the shower curtain back and turned the nob to release a stream of water, the warmth releasing the tension in his muscles, washing away his troubles with the blood and dirt.

Dressed in loose sweat pants and a simple cotton shirt, disposing his earlier garments into the trash, making a mental note to replace them for Isaac, strutted out of the bedroom to examine Isaac's home. With all the filth removed he observed how minimalistic it was, a leather couch pushed against one wall, a large tv across on the other and a coffee table in between. Sterling found three metallic bar stools lined under the counter that led to the small kitchen. To the left of the kitchen was a hall that lead to the master bedroom and the bathroom.

He picked a thick well-worn book, and opened to the bookmark, the smell of age and knowledge flowed out of the pages, his eyes lit up and smiled to find the page holder was about him. He made himself towards the couch, and sat cushioning his frame a welcoming feel from the unyielding rock he grew accustomed to. He felt a flicker of irritation as the words to describe him were false and biased the more he delved into the book. He slammed it closed, placing it back with the others next to the couch.

He ran his fingers through his damp hair rough with aggravation, his nostrils flared as he thought of the ones who had kept him captive writing these lies to remain imprisoned.

Startled by a loud banging on the door, his burning anger, turned ice cold at the possibility of the visitor. The urgency was getting louder, the pounding more frequent, he thought of his captors on the other side, forcefully taking him back to the mountain. His brows drew together his lips tight, concentrating on the mind outside the door. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as nothing could be heard on the other side.

Panic fueled him as he hurried to the door, prepared to attack. His muscles tight as he grabbed the knob, the hinges strained as he opened the door in his haste. A young women attacked him with her slender arms wrapping around him in a tight hug. He stood still, alert looking down at the ball of blond fluff, wisps tickling his nose. Waiting for her to cease the hold she had on him, breathing heavily to calm his overzealous heart. The smell of vanilla grapefruit filled his senses and found the scent calming his nerves. Closing his eyes, and tried once more to read the mind of the body snatcher before him. Disappointed to find he couldn't, he let out a frustrated exhale and she released him.

Taking a step back to give himself distance, eyeing the assailant, her palm made contact with his cheek, the slap resonated in his ears. The consequence of possessing a mortal body was the feel of the sting pulsating on his cheek, he brought his hand up to sooth it. Narrowing his eyes at the erratic women, only to have them widened and his chest swell.

Her soft skin several shades lighter than her golden locks bunched messily on top of her head. Her round smoky greys bore into his and her pouty lips tight in a hard line. He gave her a once over tilting his head at her unusual outfit of an oversized shirt, the collar stretched over one shoulder defiantly and tiny shorts with purple polka dots. He brought his eyes back to hers and swallowed hard, surprised as he thought how radiant she looked.

She placed her hands on her hips and raised her voice "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

Sterling shifted away from her as he searched the memories of Isaac's body for clues as to who the mystery women was, he froze rubbing his chin as he discovered she was his sister. In a deep uncertain tone he asked.

"Genevieve?" She raised her eyebrows and scowled

"Yes and you are Isaac" She spoke slowly while nodding like talking to a small child. He found her tone insulting and crossed his arms. She huffed and moved away as she continued "God what's the matter with you?"

Sterling watched as Genevieve sauntered to the kitchen leaving him in the entrance way. He closed the door and shuffled to the bar stools, leaning on the counter and observed her movements. She grabbed a bottled water from the fridge and took a long drink, her ashen eyes gazed into his trying to pull out his secrets and give her the answers she carved. He wished he knew the question to give her the answers she desired.

Opening his mind to hear hers once more, squinting as he strained, his shoulders slumped, a long exhale when he failed. Lowering his head in defeat, rubbing the back of his neck and mumbled "I'm sorry?"

Genevieve threw her hands in the air, narrowing her eyes as she barked

"I don't give a damn about your sorry's. Where the hell have you been for the last two days?" She crossed her arms and leaned back on the kitchen counter waiting, seething. Sterling opened his mouth to speak, his thoughts blank as to an excuse to give her and closed it, avoiding her stares as he thought. Genevieve huffed, stomping into the living room, Sterling followed her. She spoke to him with her back turned

"I called and left you a million messages, I even called Jessica" Genevieve whipped around at the end of her statement, abrupt, nearly crashing into Sterling's close proximity. His eyebrows lifted as she grimaced

"Jessica" Repeating the name with distaste, and gave an involuntary shiver. The corer of his eyes crinkled, a rebellious smirk surfaced at the comical expression she gave him. He let out a soft chuckle, the noise felt unnatural being so long since he's heard it.

Genevieve returned it with a small smile, her mood lifted

"So out with it. What happened?"

Sterling frowned. He couldn't tell her the truth but could offer her a lie she wished to be true.

"Jessica and I broke up"

Her eyes sparkled, a wide smile plastered on her face, she lifted her oversized sleeves and covered her glee.

"I'm so sorry, I knew how much you cared about her" She pouted. His eyes were drawn to her lips as a warmth stirred in his stomach. She looked around the apartment, raising an eyebrow at her brother.

"Did she clean before you gave her the boot?" Sterling stood still with a blank expression, not quite understanding the dialect of the modern language.

"Excuse me?"

"This place it looks amazing. I think this is the only time I have come to your apartment and not have to clean it." She swung her arms gesturing to the uncluttered apartment.

He nodded "Ah yes, the smell was the motivation to tidy"

"Yeah I bet the smell was Jessica's motivation to leave" She teased and clapped her hand across her mouth, true sincerity in her eyes.

"oh I'm sorry, that was uncalled for" She lowered her arms and shuffled towards him bumping her shin on the coffee table in her attempt. She let out a loud yelp as the pain throbbed. Sitting on the leather couch, she propped her leg up to examine the injury. As her leg swelled happiness swelled within him. He couldn't tell her the truth, or give back her brother but he could take away the pain and heal the leg. Chin held high he sat close to her on the couch, placing his hand underneath her calf guiding it onto his lap. She huffed

"What are you doing?"

Sterling shushed her placing a hand on the bruised leg, channeling energy to heal it. The lack of warmth flowing through his palm puzzled him. Drumming her fingers on her thighs she sighed "You done?" He removed his hand examining it as the bruise still remained on her leg.

Genevieve hopped off the couch and walked to the kitchen, pulling out an icepack from the freezer. He watched from the seat on the couch as she wobbled back taking her place next to him. She leaned over and dragged the table closer as she propped her leg on it placing the icepack on the injury.

His eyebrow furrowed, How is she immune to him? He wondered and Leaned in closer, staring at the side of Genevieve's face.

"What?"

"What are you?" He asked softly

"An Aquarius" her eyes rolled at the ridiculous question.

Startled by the answer, he opened his mouth to clarify and closed it as she shook her head and released the clip holding her hair up in a bun. Gazing as her golden locks cascading passed her shoulders releasing the earlier smell of grapefruit and vanilla in the air. Nerves calmed, warmth pooled in his belly once more at the tantalizing scent. She leaned her head back to rest on the couch cushion. With her eyes closed she ran her fingers over her scalp, a soft moan escaped her parted lips.

His heart was hammering in his chest, the warmth in his belly spread throughout his body. He ran his fingers through his hair, his voice came out laboured and deep.

"It's getting late"

Her eyes opened and nodded. Her gaze shifted to the large clock on the wall behind him in the kitchen.

"Oh no It's after midnight."

He looked over his shoulder to the clock. "It is"

"The buses aren't running anymore"

"Probably not"

She sighed heavily, "Come on don't make me say it?"

"I have no idea what you're thinking" He answered a bit more brash than intended frustrated that he had to even ask.

"Can I stay over?" She looked up at him through her thick lashes. He lowered his brows in thought. Genevieve was immune to his gifts and still didn't know if she could be trusted, or who she was. Was she working with the group who imprisoned him? Was she waiting till he was vulnerable before she made her move? Should he be smart and have her leave, or keep a close watch? A hand waved up and down in front of his face, his eyes refocused at her curious gray's.

"Well? Can I stay over or not?"

Despite all his reasoning, his heart swelled as she leaned forward waiting for a reply. He thought for once he will take its side over his mind."

"Very well"

Genevieve squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck. Soft silky locks of gold tickled his cheek, he relaxed and smiled basking in her happiness. The icepack fell off her leg onto the floor, she bent over and picked it up returning it to its home in the freezer, making her way to the bedroom.

Sterling exhaled, finally alone, some distance from her charms. He stood fingers running through his curls as he tried to make sense of what happened. He stiffened when her bare feet tapped on the hardwood floor, he whipped around and watched her holding the bedding for the couch. His hands briefly touched hers as he took the bedding from her.

He left to go brush his teeth for the evening and when he returned he sighted Genevieve crawled inside the covers. His jaw went slack "What are you doing?"

She looked up "I'm going to sleep. It's late" She moved further down and rested her head on the pillow. He crouched down till they were face to face

"I insist you sleep on the bed." Genevieve giggled.

"Yeah no. I am not sleeping in a bed that you had sex with Jessica. If I want any sleep at all, it'll be here"

Sterling laughed quite loud for the first time in a millennium. She propped her elbow on the pillow and joined in his happiness. She tried but failed to muffle her yawn, he smiled and stood up, leaving her to rest for the night. Looking over his shoulder, he whispered.

"Goodnight Genevieve"

"Goodnight Isaac" The sound of her calling him by another name seemed wrong and it alarmed him not knowing why that was.