Silent Mist: Book 1 - Vengeance

Letter From Author A Letter from the Author My name is Logan Pendragon, and writing has been one of the central passions of my life. I have been practicing the craft for close to thirty years, and in recent years I have become increasingly focused on building a full-time career as an author. That calling led me to begin publishing my work and continually improving my craft. I currently have a variety of books available through Amazon KDP and my Amazon author pages, including novels, short stories, informational books, poetry, and specialty projects. Despite already having published two novels, this series represents something much larger for me. In many ways, it is part of what I consider my life’s work. I believe in what I call Snapshot Theory. The idea is simple: every creative work released by an artist is a snapshot of their best work at that moment in time. A writer who continues to study, practice, and create will inevitably grow. Every book I have released represents the best work I was capable of when it was written. My goal is simple—each new book should be better than the last. This novel represents my best work to date. I have invested a great deal of time in writing, editing, and refining it, and I’m proud to begin sharing this series with readers. This is Book One. Books Two through Five are currently being edited, along with several supplemental books connected to the series. After those releases, I plan to write a “Gap Years” sequence of books that bridge the story forward into a final trilogy that will conclude the primary arc of the series. If you enjoy this story, keep an eye out for the next books in the series—there is much more to come. — Logan Pendragon Episode 1 - Family Episode Name: Family Current Location: Focal Dimension, Earth, United States, Georgia, Smyrna Earth Time (EST): Monday, September 22, 2025, 5:30 PM CST: 499,999,999,995 Logan stood on the edge of the cliff, with a dark, hooded figure staring at him from across the valley. Its red eyes pierced into his soul and ran chills down his spine. Thunder echoed in the distance as lightning burnt through the sky, revealing the edge of a tornado creeping closer by the second. He stood, waiting for it to take him. Right as the tornado descended upon him, something jarred his entire body and shook him awake. He was lying on the floor with sweat pouring off him. These damn nightmares are getting ridiculous. He threw off his covers, a pattern of an ancient dagger embroidered on the top of it, to the side. He always liked antiques and artifacts, but loved ancient weaponry and history. He didn’t know what caused his deep fascination, but he had posters of historical events covering the walls of his room and antique pieces on various shelves. He forced himself up and shuffled toward the kitchen. On his way past their room, he saw Jaslyn and Cadence playing computer games together, quietly discussing the game. They were twenty-three-year-old identical twin sisters who tried to match in everything, including their long blond hip-length hair. They rarely spoke to Logan or anyone else, as they preferred to keep to themselves most of the time. Despite how antisocial they were, he knew they both had a deep love for him, even though he was not born into the family. The Pendragons found him wandering the streets at sixteen with no memory of his past. He was diagnosed with an unknown form of amnesia and, shortly after, was adopted. He developed a deep bond with every family member over the last nineteen years. He smiled at the memories but felt that deep longing, wishing he remembered life before sixteen. He shook his head and walked into the kitchen. His room was at the end of the hallway, with his siblings' rooms scattered along the way. Ultimately, it opened into his combined living room and kitchen. The living room had a large TV and couch devoid of decor. The kitchen was tiled with a refrigerator full of stuck-on Pendragon memories. Directly in the center was a picture of his Mom when she first put on her military uniform. She was forty-nine now and looked like she hadn’t aged a day. The only difference is now she kept her medium-length brown hair in a messy bun most of the time. Even though Mom was preoccupied with dishes, she turned to look the second Logan entered, even quietly. “What in tarnation happened? Yer soaking wet.” She asked in her soft voice, accentuated by her country drawl. She turned back towards the dishes. “It’s hotter’n Satan’s house cat but not enough for all that sweatin.” “It’s so hot I saw a squirrel putting suntan oil on his nuts,” he said with a smile. “Really, Logan?” she said, rolling her eyes. “Sorry, Mom, couldn’t help myself. I just had another nightmare.” “Did you set up the meetin’ with the therapist I sent you?” She asked, pointing to a piece of paper on the table. “She might be able to help.” “Not yet, but I will. I’m going to grab a snack, then crash.” She nodded. “I’ll wake ya when dinner’s ready. Turn on yer fan so you don’t overheat under all them covers, please.” “Yes, Mom.” He grabbed a Coke and chips. “I love you.” “Love ya too.” She said. Before he could return to his room, his dad, fifty-five-year-old Stewart, walked through the front door, knocking over a plant on his way in. He picked it up and then looked over at Logan. “Hey, son, how was your day?” “Another nightmare, about to crash again. How was work?” “Great, I just need to get these muscles burning again,” Dad said, walking over to his wife and kissing her before disappearing into the garage, bumping his knee on the side of the wall on his way through, and cursing under his breath. He was in remarkable shape for his age and recently buzzed his hair to help himself feel younger again. Logan exchanged smiles with Mom and headed back to his bedroom. Shoving the damp covers aside, he lay on the dry patch on the bed. Visions of the red-eyed demon from his nightmares crept into his brain, giving him shivers. He recently turned thirty-five and constantly wondered who his parents were before he got amnesia. The only thing he remembered was a man finding him on the street, telling him his name was Logan, that he was sixteen, and pointing in a random direction. He never had the chance to ask who he was before the stranger disappeared. Lost in thought, he eventually drifted off to sleep. A chilly breeze woke him. A strange but somehow familiar scent of burning embers filled his nose. Then he felt a presence in the room that wasn’t his own. Logan turned to the window and froze. Shivering, he took a deep breath, trying to pull air into his constricted lungs. The red-eyed hooded man from his dreams sat on the windowsill, staring at him. “W-w-who are you?” Logan edged himself to the other side of the bed. “I am Demon.” An ancient voice filled his head. Thousands of voices overlapped in a strange, dissonant harmony. Logan shuddered and tried to move backward. No matter how much he willed himself to stand, his body refused to respond. “What do you want with me?” “That offends me, Athanasius.” “W-Who?” Demon sighed, which sounded like a rushing tornado. “Your memory must have not yet returned. You are not who you seem. You are not what you seem. You are not safe here. Leave while you can. I will find you.” Something slammed into the side of the house, vibrating the room. Logan was jarred awake. The window was closed and locked. “What is going on here?” Then he noticed a small green spot splattered at the base of the windowsill where Demon had been sitting. “Dinner’s ready, ya’ll,” Paige yelled, followed by the stomping patterns of hungry siblings running for the kitchen. Logan trudged into the kitchen, where his family sat in their usual spots. His father cleaned up the water he’d spilled, his mother laid down the rest of the food on the table, and his twin sisters silently bickered over what matching outfit they would wear to work that night. Aiden and Blake, his only brothers, sat beside each other, a study in contrasts yet undeniably close. At twenty, Aiden, though short and carrying a few extra pounds, exuded a natural charm that drew people in. He was working towards his medical degree, determined to become a doctor, and had recently embraced a healthier lifestyle. Blake, a year older, was a walking arsenal of martial arts, his physique honed by years of training. Nicknamed "the bully finder" back in high school, his fighting prowess had landed more than a few in the hospital – a habit that nearly got him expelled in college, if not for his uncanny ability to always get them to attack first. And beside Logan’s seat was his favorite sister. Victoria was twenty-four with long platinum hair. She had less food on her plate than the rest and was still recovering from a destructive eating disorder ever since she broke up with her abusive boyfriend. She was currently looking for work but was unable to hold down much due to her mental health issues. Logan sat down by Victoria. She flinched when he sat down. “Hey, it’s okay.” He whispered. Logan had a deeper connection to her than anyone except his girlfriend. During the time he’d lived with the Pendragons, eight of it was a nightmare for Victoria. She was regularly beaten and raped by her ex-boyfriend, Brandon. At the end of their relationship, he chained her to the bed and beat and raped her on and off for two days. When she didn’t respond, Logan and Blake busted open the front door and beat Brandon half to death, to the point his eye socket was hanging out. Then they carried their half-dead sister to the hospital and waited by her side until she recovered and was released. When the time came for them to get the last of her stuff from Brandon’s house, Logan stood beside her the entire time. Brandon was several states over since Logan and Blake were planning on finishing what they started if they ever saw him again. Victoria took a deep breath and smiled, pulling Logan out of his thoughts and back to reality. The Pendragons were more of a blessing than he could ever ask for. He wouldn’t trade the family he had now for anything in the world. “Family news time, Y’all,” Mom said, sitting beside Dad. “For Stewart, we agreed the news would be that he would get back into bodybuilding soon if he’s careful.” She eyed him when she accentuated the word ‘Careful.’ “For me, I’m going to open my side business making candles, so he can cut down on hours at work. Cadence, yer turn.” Family news time was a weekly event in the Pendragon household. Everyone sitting at the table would relay their week’s biggest news. According to Mom, it allowed them to ‘stay in touch and connect as a family, while also remaining independent.’ “Well, Jaslyn helped me beat one of my high scores yesterday. I also decided to start taking college at home next year to try to break into my gaming career. But that’s about all.” She looked at Jaslyn. “I found an online boyfriend. Well, what I hope becomes an online boyfriend.” Jaslyn said flatly. “You don’t sound too enthusiastic,” Mom interjected. “Well, he’s ugly,” Cadence said. “Cadence… Don’t talk about Danny like that,” Jaslyn added. “Well, he is. Anyway.” Cadence looked toward Aiden. “Nothing really to say here. Besides, I’m passing with honors and hope to get into a doctorate intern program before the end of the year,” Aiden said. “That’s my boy,” Dad said as he scoffed down some chicken. “Well, your turn, Blake,” Aiden said. Logan had a close bond with Blake, who spent years teaching him the fundamentals of martial arts. Blake often remarked on Logan’s natural talent and quick learning ability, praising his instinct for combat during their training sessions. Blake smiled. “I found a connection and got lined up for my first MMA fight in about six months. I am dropping out of college soon to focus on training for that.” Silence hit the table. “Are you sure quitting college is a good idea, hun?” Mom asked. “Fighting is dangerous.” “I know what I’m doing, Mom. I’ll be fine. That’s the career I want to focus on.” Dad jumped in. “I believe in him. I had two awards and four sponsors within a few months when I started bodybuilding. With his fighting skill, he’ll do fine.” “Yes, but,” Mom added. “One mistake, he could end up paralyzed or worse. Just be careful in these matches.” “Don’t worry, I will,” Blake said. “Victoria?” Victoria hesitated and looked in Logan’s direction with tears in her eyes. “M-My restraining order fell off yesterday, and he texted me.” She faced her head down at the table. “Hey, don’t worry,” Logan pulled her close for a hug. “The courthouse is still open. After we eat, I’ll go down with you and we’ll renew it. I won’t let anything happen to you.” “Neither will I,” Blake said, balling up his fists. Victoria put her tear-soaked face into Logan’s shoulder. Mom mimicked ‘thank you’ with her mouth. Logan nodded. He rubbed his sister’s back and whispered. “Hey, don’t worry. Let’s eat, and we’ll get going.” Victoria took a deep breath, collected herself, and went back to eating. Logan looked up at Mom. “My only news is that I’ve decided to propose to Lisa at Sunday’s family dinner.” “That’s going to be the wedding of the decade. You two make such a lovely couple,” Mom said. The remainder of dinner was mostly uneventful. Afterward, he and Victoria got ready to go to the courthouse while the rest of the family left to do their own things. Logan had a feeling he knew what shook up Victoria, he took her phone and looked up her messages with Brandon. You think those few days were rough? Bitch, just wait until I get my hands on you again. Logan’s tightened his grip on the phone. He released it when he felt it bending under pressure, and he responded to his text. Cyclops, you must not remember what happened the last time you hurt my sister. If you text her again, I’ll hunt you down and beat you so bad your other eye pops out. Then I’ll drag your blind ass out into the street and throw you in front of a car. 2552 Cliffbridge Lane. Breathe in her direction, and I’ll be at your front door. Logan deleted the text and walked out into the front of the house with Victoria beside him. Victoria was visibly shaking and had tears in her eyes. He grabbed her shoulder. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you, I promise. Wait here. I’ll go grab Claire.” Dad often went to the range with Logan, teaching him how to shoot. He even bought Logan a gun, which he kept in a gun safe in his room closet. But out of all the gifts from Dad, none was as important as Claire, his seventy-one black and gold six-hundred-and-fifty CC triumph Bonneville. He wheeled it to the front of the house and started it. The Smyrna streets beckoned. Their five-bedroom house, half an hour from Atlanta, had been his home since joining the family. It even had garages, but Claire was always kept out back, safe from accidental dings. A few kicks later, and the engine roared to life. Victoria sat onto the back of Claire, geared up, and they pulled out into the street. “Thank you for everything, Logan.” He heard her whisper in his ear. He picked up speed, his mind replaying the unnervingly real encounter with Demon and the lingering mystery of the green stain. Thoughts of Victoria's ex fueled a surge of anger, his foot heavy on the accelerator until he noticed Victoria shaking and eased up. When they entered the courthouse, the attendant looked up. “How can I help you?” Logan pulled out the notice of the protective order ending and passed it to her. “He drove past our house twice, then texted her today.” He showed her the text. The attendant looked at the text on the phone and read the letter. “Give me a few minutes to look into this for you.” She took the order and walked into the back room. "The temporary restraining order expired," she said after returning a few moments later. "But Judge Makarthy was so disturbed by your case that he approved a permanent protective order, effective Monday. The paperwork might be delayed, but you should receive it this week or next." “What does that mean for him reaching out to her?” Logan asked. “I’ll inform the judge, but since Brandon hasn’t received the notice yet, it’ll probably be inadmissible. He’ll get a warning. I’ll ensure the DA gets it so they can use it as more evidence in the upcoming trial.” “Thank you so much for your help.” Logan walked to the parking lot with Victoria behind him. Victoria shrieked and jumped back. “God, no.” Logan followed her vision, and Brandon was parked across the parking lot, leaning against his car. Dark memories clouded his thoughts as he spotted the eye patch—a lasting memory of their previous encounter. “You really think you’ll keep her from me?” Brandon growled, pulling a knife from his jacket and swiftly closing the distance. Logan shifted to the side, narrowly dodging the blade. In one quick motion, he grabbed Brandon’s wrist with one arm and pushed into his elbow with the other. A sickening crack echoed throughout the parking lot as the wrist and elbow bent unnaturally. As Brandon’s body bent forward in response, Logan kneed him in the face, knocking him backward onto the ground, teeth flying in several directions. Brandon tried to stand back up, his face twisted in pain, a scream building in his throat. But before it could escape, Logan spartan kicked him so hard, he slammed the back of his head into the concrete, and rolled over, moaning. Just as Logan readied to deliver another blow, a hand on his shoulder stopped him. "They'll charge you," Victoria whispered. He took a deep breath and stepped back. Several officers came from inside, and one from the parking lot. One put his hand on his taser when he saw the knife on the ground. “What’s going on here?” He demanded. “Self-defense,” Logan said. "It was self-defense," the attendant declared, hurrying out of the courthouse. "I saw him attack with a knife. It should all be on camera." The officers read Brandon his rights as the ambulance pulled up, then loaded him into the back of it. After getting the footage, they separated Victoria and Logan to get both sides of the story, then said they were free to leave. “How long will he be in there?” Logan asked as he shook the cop’s hand. “Because of his history.” The officer snapped his notebook shut. "He'll be inside until the trial, which could be months with the courts backed up. We’ve got several new charges we intend to add." Logan nodded and thanked him. The cops returned to their patrol cars and drove off. Victoria was waiting for him beside Claire. She took a huge deep breath, and her facial expressions relaxed. She looked younger and renewed for the first time in many years. She had a big smile on her face. “How did you move so fast? I’ve never seen anything like it.” “I don’t know. Instincts, I guess,” Logan said. “But anyway, I have a dinner date with my girl. Let me get you back home and make sure you’re safe.” “Thank you again, Logan,” Victoria said as she climbed on Claire. “Blood or not, you’ll always be my favorite person.” “Might as well be blood.” Logan smiled. He loaded on his helmet and kick-started Claire. They drove home, and for the first time in a long time, he could tell Victoria was actually here, living in the moment. He felt like this was the beginning of the rest of her life, and he was grateful to be a part of that. When they got home, everyone was standing in the living room waiting. Logan gave them the brief version: he was arrested again, and the restraining order was permanent. On the other hand, Victoria went all in about how awesome Logan’s defense was and what he did to Brandon’s arm. Mom and Dad both hugged Logan, and everyone was chatting about what had happened. In the chaos, Logan excused himself and started getting ready. His girlfriend, Lisa, texted him asking when he would be at dinner. He replied. Be there in fifteen, max. Love you, babe. He hopped back on Claire and headed to their favorite Chinese restaurant, blasting music the entire way. An eerie feeling dogged him that he couldn’t shake. He was being watched, and he could have sworn something stared at him from the forested areas that dotted the suburban landscape. Things were slipping into paranoia at this point. He decided to call the therapist and schedule an appointment for that week. The Pendragons were cooking a huge family dinner that weekend, and Lisa and her family were supposed to join them. He pulled into the restaurant parking lot and turned off Claire. He sat there for a few minutes, trying to shake off that strange feeling that had followed him since that last dream. Finally, he got off and headed inside. Lisa waited at their favorite table. Her smile lit up the room as he walked up. Lisa and Logan dated for almost eight years. She was twenty-eight, and her last name was Brackett, but she generally used the Pendragon last name playfully. She always made plenty of time for Logan and was a deeply passionate, loving, and emotional person. Despite her deep focus on school and college, they developed a semi-co-dependent relationship on multiple levels. “Hey, babe,” Logan said as he walked up. “Hey!” Her eyes lit up when she saw him. “I missed you, mi amore.” “Of course, I have that effect on people.” Logan joked. He kissed her and then eyed her outfit. “I missed you, too. You look beautiful as always, my love.” The majority of her wardrobe revolved around three colors: black, blue, and red, or any combination thereof. Typically, most of her outfits were made of high-end material, clinging to her form with a shimmering sheen. Tonight, she sported a black-on-black ensemble she had worn when they first met: a high leather crop top that ended high on her chest, leaving the entire expanse of her stomach bare – from the base of her breasts to the dip of her low-rise pants – likely spandex, that dipped daringly below her hips, glistening under the club's lights. The outfit showcased his favorite part of her body, the one that ignited a primal hunger within Logan, unlike anything else. He possessed an insatiable sexual appetite, a boundless wellspring of desire, a vast landscape of fetishes that seemed to defy mortal limitations. Though his memories were shrouded, his body remembered the language of lust, and the sight of her bare skin always held a particular allure, sparking a fire in his blood. He couldn't help himself; he had to touch her. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her close, his hand splaying possessively over her abdomen, reveling in the feel of her against him. Oddly, the sheer intensity of his hunger, the way it seemed to transcend the boundaries of ordinary men, only heightened her own desire, her body responding to his with a fervor that matched his own. The heat of her body was a siren song to his insatiable soul. They scanned the menu as they talked. Logan had a habit of telling her everything, so he went into detail about the most recent nightmare and everything involving Victoria. Lisa returned with what was going on in her life: her parents’ potential divorce, stress from college, and trying to pick a final major to graduate with. Then she mentioned her sister, Melissa. “How is she?” Athanasius asked. “She’s better. As good as she can be anyway.” Lisa’s sister had been kidnapped at the age of twelve and had been abused and sold into trafficking for much of her teenage life. She was saved at the age of seventeen and had been living with Lisa’s grandparents ever since, trying to recover. She’d been in and out of rehab trying to recover from the addictions she fell into trying to cope. “I’m glad she’s doing better,” Logan said softly. He thought of Victoria’s scars, and the weight she carried, and felt a pang of kinship for Lisa’s sister — both survivors, still trying to heal. Lisa looked down at the floor, so Logan changed the subject. As they chatted, time flew by. Near the end of dinner, the conversation took a more analytical turn. “Did you ever decide about computer science?” Logan asked. Having been into computers and hacking since she was young, she already had a strong understanding of technology. “I’m not learning much from it, but I’ll stick with it. It’s the main credential they use in my field. I’m working on more certifications.” “Which ones?” “I’ve finished most of them. But I’m still working on a few. Let’s see…” She did this adorable counting thing on her fingers. “I have around fifteen I’ve completed and three more I’m working on. There are too many to name.” “Look at my baby!” Logan touched her chin, gently shifted it toward him, and kissed her. He kissed her a second time, then let go. “You’ve got this field on lockdown. Did you decide what field titles you wanted for your resume?” “I just summarized them.” Lisa smiled. “Information technology, intelligence, logistics, communication, engineering, and mechanical engineering. I’m still working on the field title. Maybe something like Logistics and human intelligence operative, or human and cyber intelligence logistical agent. It’s a new field, so I have no idea what to call it yet. Especially if I decide to freelance.” “You’ve got this, babe. I believe in you. Later, when we have some alone time, I’ll help you think of some names. By the way, I’m going to see the therapist this week and try to get some answers to these nightmares.” “Can I go with?” She made a playful pouty face. “Of course,” Logan motioned for the check. After paying, they headed outside and sat on a nearby bench together. “I’m going to head home,” Logan said as he ran his hand through her hair. Her body shivered. “So soon?” She whispered as she leaned into him. “I’ve been feeling off lately with all the nightmares and everything else. I was planning on just sleeping it off.” “We can’t have that, Baby.” She rubbed into him with her stomach, her muscles contracting as she drew him closer. She pulled him in for a deep hug. “Let’s talk.” She lay in his lap, and he wrapped his arms around her. “Now, what’s on your mind?” She asked, looking up at him. “Not just on the surface, but what’s really on your mind?” Logan sighed. “Everything. These nightmares. That Demon creature I keep seeing. I can’t even tell what’s real and what isn’t anymore. Plus, this whole situation with Victoria threw me off.” “Victoria is going to be safe now, thanks to you. And those nightmares, maybe some of that is from stress. I think the therapist will be able to help unravel some of that. Maybe they meant something?” As they talked, Logan instinctively was caressing and massaging her body in various places. He pulled her closer to him and cuddled. “Maybe. But what about this Demon thing? I’ve never seen it before, but somehow I have.” “Hmm?” “I can’t explain it. But I remember him. It’s almost surreal. It seems so familiar, but then so… not at the same time.” “Did you notice that?” She asked. “What?” “You said ‘him’ the first time, almost fondly. As I said, maybe there’s more to this than meets the eye. Maybe this has something to do with your past?” “Maybe. But even if it did, he doesn’t seem normal. Not natural but more like….” “Supernatural?” She asked. “Yeah. Like otherworldly. Even his voice sounds like dozens of random people talking simultaneously. And it sounded like it was in my head, not out loud. It was crazy.” “Next time he shows up, if he does, try to ask him some questions.” “I did. All he said was some weird cryptic shit about me not being what or who I seem. And that I should be careful until he has a chance to find me. Whatever that means.” “Well, either way, it seems like it wants to help.” Lisa laid Logan’s hand on her upper stomach, the warmth of her skin sending an instant jolt through him. Then she stretched her arms over her head, and he felt the muscles beneath his palm tense and shift, her ribcage expanding, her stomach tightening into a smooth, firm plane. Her skin glistened faintly in the dim light of the parking lot. Logan's gaze snagged on the sight, his mind momentarily blanking on the conversation. He was intensely aware of her, of how her clothes revealed rather than concealed, of the smooth expanse of skin that seemed to beckon his touch. "Yeah," he managed, dragging his attention back to her face. "You're really important to me, you know?" He needed to remind himself of that, to anchor himself to the present. "Also, you have a point. If it were real and wanted to hurt me, it would have tried already. Mom thinks it's overstressed." "Maybe. Either way, if it does come back again, trust it and try to start a deeper conversation with it. Maybe it’ll give you more information about what it is. Or what he is.” She hesitated, then continued. "You know," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "for all the weird stuff that's been happening, I feel...safer with you than I ever have before.” Her words struck a chord deep within him. He wasn't sure why, but the idea of being her protector, her safe haven, resonated with a power that surprised him. "I'll always protect you, Babygirl," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I promise." A silence fell between them, charged with an awareness that went beyond mere friendship. Was it just him, or was there something more in the air tonight? He felt a strange mix of emotions: a need to protect her, a longing to be closer, and a deep-seated hunger he couldn't quite explain. She stretched languidly, her arms reaching above her head, the movement accentuating the curve of her stomach and pressing it further into his touch. He looked down at her, the protectiveness warring with the raw hunger that clawed at his senses. He wanted to shield her from the darkness that seemed to swirl around him, but he also couldn't deny the pull he felt towards her, the way her simple touch ignited a fire within him. His thumb began to trace slow circles on her skin, feeling the subtle play of muscle beneath his touch. They spent the next few minutes lost in the quiet intimacy of the moment, his touch a silent exploration of her body, her breath hitching softly with each caress. Eventually, the need to break the spell became too strong. They got up, and he pulled her into a hug, his lips finding hers in a goodnight kiss that lingered a beat too long. As he drove home, the memory of her warmth, her scent, the feel of her skin beneath his fingertips, clung to him, a reminder of the complications that awaited him. Episode 2 - Murder Episode Name: Murder Current Location: Focal Dimension, Earth, United States, Georgia, Smyrna Earth Time (EST): Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 2:00 PM CST: 499,999,999,995 The next few days passed almost uneventfully. Jaslyn and Cadence went to a gaming convention and would be gone until the family dinner. Mom made her first batch of candles and got pretty good at it quickly. Dad started training even harder to get back into competitions. Aiden focused intensely on his college work to cope with what happened to Victoria, while Blake intensified his training right after dropping out of college, as he said he’d do. Logan continued to reassure Victoria that her ex would be in prison for a long time. She finally started socializing with her friends more, and her appetite improved. She seemed genuinely happier than she had in a long time. He had a few more nightmares, but mainly focused on building up his family, went to the range a few times, and spent more time with his girlfriend. Lisa finished the last few certifications she had going on and took a break from them to focus on finishing college sooner so she could start looking for her dream job. The therapist’s appointment was scheduled for later in the afternoon. As he got out of bed, he started getting ready for it. He decided to go on a long drive to clear his head. He planned to pick up Lisa right before the appointment. He got himself ready and walked into Victoria’s room to check on her. “Hey, baby sister. How are you feeling?” She looked up and smiled. “Better. I’ve been keeping track of the court stuff through my lawyer, and it looks like he’s going in for at least fifteen years. I’ll finally be free from him.” She hesitated. “But Logan?” “Yes?” “Will you go with me to court, and if I need a witness to testify, would you be willing to do both?” “In a heartbeat, " he said with a smile. He walked over and hugged her. Then he headed outside and sat down on Claire. He took a deep breath before kick-starting her and driving off. He lost track of time as he drove, hitting speeds he knew he shouldn’t. Shaking off the thoughts and visions from all the nightmares, trying to prepare for his therapy. All was going well until… As he entered the edge of a neighboring city, he saw the man who had found him when he first had amnesia disappearing around the side of a building. He took a double-take but was certain it was the same man. He turned Claire and headed in that direction, passing the corner of the building. As he did, he saw him disappearing across the street behind an alley. The alley was wide open all the way down, so he darted. Halfway through, he saw the same man disappear behind the wall at the other end. Within seconds, he cleared the exit, and the man was gone. There was nothing but sparse pedestrian traffic in both directions and no sign of him anywhere. He shook his head, wondering if he was seeing things. Lisa called him shortly after, and he pulled over to take her call. “Hey, baby girl.” He said. “Hey, umm. How long until the appointment?” She said. “I have like two hours. I was going to pick you up about a half hour before. Does that work?” “Well, sure, but I had something else in mind.” She said, her voice taking on a more alluring tone. “Like what?” he said, shutting off Claire so he could hear her better. “Well, why not come over? We spend some time together. I can kill most of your stress. Might be good to go into your appointment with less on your mind?” “I’ll be there in ten.” They hung up. Looking back up, he saw the man from his past standing in front of Claire, staring at him. He had short black hair and wore a closed-up black trenchcoat. His eyes flickered strangely, but Logan was more surprised to see him, so he ignored the minor difference. “H-hey. You’re him. I’ve been looking for you for years. Who are you?” The man cleared his throat and paused. “You may call me… Z, for now.” “Well, Z. How did you know my name when we first met? What else do you know about me? Where did you disappear to all this time?” “None of that is anything you need to worry about for the time being. Is your memory still gone?” “It is. I have had no memories, but other strange things were in my head that resembled memories but weren’t reality.” “Explain,” Z said with an authoritative flair. “What kinds of things?” “I don’t know how to explain it. I haven’t even told my girl yet. But I get flashes or visions of things like dinosaurs, weird creatures, planets I’ve never seen before, and bits and pieces of conversations that are incomplete or make no sense. Nothing that lines up with reality, that and a bunch of weird nightmares about some creature named Demon.” “What did this… ‘creature’ say to you?” “Something about me not being who I seemed. He also said he was trying to find me.” “Interesting,” Z said. “And you were trying to see a therapist tonight?” “How did you know about that? But yes, it’s a few hours until my appointment.” Z opened his trenchcoat in a flash and slammed something sharp into Claire, shredding the tire. Before Logan realized what had happened, Z disappeared around the wall of a nearby building. Logan jumped off Claire and chased after him, but when he cleared the building, Z vanished. He was nowhere to be seen in any direction. He returned to Claire and slammed his fist against the wall. “What the hell.” He called Lisa and explained everything that had happened. Within a half hour, she pulled up in her dad’s red, beat-up pickup truck. They loaded Claire into the bed of it, strapped her down, and drove back to her house. When they arrived at Lisa’s white three-story house, her dad, Garrett, stood outside to meet them. Garrett was a little overweight and had balding hair, but had one of the gentlest personalities Logan had met. The garage door was open, and all his tools were lined up inside. “Dad’s going to fix this while we go hang out in my room,” Lisa said as she slid out of the truck and walked around to where her dad was. Garrett had been a pilot for half his life and a boat operator for the other half. Lisa had grown up around piloting and navigation, and her dad taught her everything he knew. She even spent her first college semester attending flight school before changing her focus. Garrett also did his own mechanical engineering throughout his career and passed those skills on to Lisa. She was raised to be able to work on almost anything, whether on the land, sea, or air. Logan followed behind her. “Thanks, Mr. Brackett. I think it’s just the tire, but the idiot might have hit something else.” “Don’t worry. I’ll have her fixed up in fifteen minutes.” He motioned for them to go inside and wheeled Claire into the garage. Lisa led Logan to the front door and stopped before opening it. “Mom’s wasted, and she’s in a mood. Just ignore her and follow me. If she says anything, I’ll handle it.” Logan nodded, knowing the typical routine. They entered the house, and the smell of roses and vinegar hit Logan’s nose—another weak cooking attempt by Diane, Lisa’s mother. Hearing the door close, Diane walked into the living room. “Home again so soon?” She stumbled backward and caught herself on the wall. “Yes, Mom. We’ll hang out in my room and then go to his therapy appointment.” “I’ve been telling you to get therapy,” Diane said as she followed them to the base of the stairs. “Albeit for me that you date a man who needs therapy. Like your useless father.” Logan took a step toward her, but Lisa grabbed his shoulder. “Go be an asshole somewhere else, mom. I’m busy,” Lisa said, pulling Logan behind her and disappearing with him into the room. “Ungrateful bitch.” Was all Logan could hear Diane whisper as Lisa closed the door behind them. “God, I fucking hate her,” Lisa said as she sat down on the edge of her bed in a huff. “At least it’s only when she’s drunk.” “That’s all the time,” She responded. “Fuck her. Anyway, where were we?” “I don’t know,” Logan said slyly, sitting beside her. “You said something about my stress level, but now I’m worried about yours.” "Don't worry about that; this will help both of us." Lisa disappeared into her walk-in closet, which was dominated by a wardrobe filled with black, blue, and red. A moment later, she emerged with an armful of luxurious lingerie, the silks and laces spilling over her hands as she laid them across the bed beside Logan. Since his amnesia, a potent, almost primal hunger had simmered within him, a constant undercurrent with no outlet until he met Lisa. She had awakened something deep within him, a desire transcending the physical. It wasn't just about the act itself; it was about the connection, the exploration, the shared intimacy. They had delved into many facets of their relationship over the years, fetish play becoming a significant and exciting part of their bond. They had explored a vast array of fantasies, their shared experiences documented in a growing checklist of desires, a testament to their adventurous spirits. He had an old-fashioned view of fidelity, his moral compass unwavering since his memory loss. As long as he had Lisa, he wouldn't even entertain the thought of another woman. His sexual appetite ran deep, a seemingly bottomless well of need that sometimes bordered on the supernatural. Even he was surprised by its intensity, a primal force that seemed to defy the boundaries of ordinary men. But what surprised him even more was how perfectly Lisa matched him, her own desires a raging inferno that met his fire with equal intensity. It was almost unbelievable, especially considering he was only her second serious relationship. "Would you like a tour, grand sir?" she purred playfully. With a seductive smile, she unstrapped her top, letting it fall to the floor, revealing the high leather crop top beneath that barely grazed her ribs. He watched, mesmerized, as she reached behind her to unclasp her bra, the lacy cups falling away to expose her breasts. “If you will, my lady.” She rubbed her breasts and slid her arms down her side, accentuating her curves. Picking up the first piece of lingerie, she pointed to it. “Teddies.” She leaned forward, hovering her breasts over him. She hesitated until he got the hint. Logan grabbed her nipples and squeezed tightly, sending volts of electricity through his body, and she let out an adorable moan that made his internal fire burn even more brightly. She leaned over further, expectantly. He grabbed both her nipples and squeezed harder, causing a deep, passionate moan to escape her lips, and now his groin was throbbing and extended enough to force him to have to readjust himself. She stood back up, slid the underwear on first, then wrapped the bra around and snapped it. It was a connected piece; the bra was bright red, and the lower part was a few shades lighter. After a few minutes of tucking, she sat on his lap. “Why do they call it a Teddie?” He asked. “Did I say you could speak, Daddy?” She whispered in his ear, pushing him back on the bed. “No, ma’am.” “Then shut up.” She slid off his lap and kneeled on the floor. “Here’s what’s going to happen.” She grabbed his pants and slid them down. “I’m in a really kinky mood. So… I’m going to suck your dick.” Then she grabbed his underwear and slid them down. “While I suck it, you’re going to punish me. You aren’t allowed to stop until you come. When you’re done, you’ll switch to eating me out while punishing me until I come.” “In what ways?” Logan asked. “Be creative,” She whispered. “But if it isn’t hurting, then it’s not punishment.” She teased, then wrapped her lips around the head of his penis and slid down it. Fire flowed through his crotch and spread throughout his lower body. She pulled off. “Punish.” She repeated and slid her mouth back onto the head. Their journey together had been one of exploration and discovery, their shared passion a canvas for both tender intimacy and thrilling experimentation. Fetish play had woven its way into the fabric of their relationship, adding a vibrant thread to their tapestry of love. Some nights were soft and slow, others a whirlwind of exciting new experiences, their desires ebbing and flowing like the tide. As she slid up and down, Logan wrapped his finger around her nipples and squeezed. She let out a pained but happy moan and picked up speed. He did it again, this time twisting and pulling harder. Her body convulsed under the touch of his fingers, and she slid down further, choking on his dick, gagging, then pulling back off again, continuing her up-and-down motion. Fire shot through his body as she picked up speed. He raised up his hips, driving it further back in her throat; at the same time, he pulled her hair hard, causing another moan to push air from her lips. She slid her mouth off of it. “Is that all you’ve got, wuss,” She said playfully. “You aren’t punishing me nearly enough. Get more creative than that.” She engorged herself on his penis again. He grabbed her by the throat and squeezed, then pushed her head down on it harder, causing another gag. He used one hand to grab her nipple and squeeze, while the other he slid under her abdomen and pressed into her upper stomach. Her body tensed, and as he pushed, a moan flew out with it. He pressed into her abdomen harder, which intensified her moan. He gently punched her in the upper stomach, right between the rib cage. Not hard, just enough to make a smacking sound and knock out a bit of her breath. When he did, a deep, passionate moan slipped through her lips. She slipped off his dick and took a deep breath. “Ohhh… I like that. Do that some more. A little harder.” “Do you need a safe word?” He asked. “Heh,” She smirked. “’Cleopatra’, this time.” This was their first time playing around with punching of any kind, so he was hesitant. He didn’t want to hurt her accidentally. She slipped her mouth around his penis again and went down. He punched her in the same spot again, a bit harder than last time. The moan matched the intensity, and she smiled big and continued her up-and-down movement. He did it again, a little harder. Another moan, and she continued to rotate her head up and down. He felt the climax start to build, but wasn’t ready for it to end. “Harder,” she mumbled, still sliding up and down. He punched her harder this time, causing her body to convulse upward from the soft impact, and the air blew from her lungs. She started gyrating her body in motion, anticipating and relishing in his blows. Punch after punch, pumping her body slightly in the air, as she intensified her head movement and moaned. Every few moments, she’d say ‘harder’, and he’d add a slight bit more intensity. He started to climax again, and each punch caused him to edge a little closer. He enjoyed this more than he thought he would, and she was in ecstasy. She rubbed her vagina on his knee at one point, and it was soaking wet. As the intensity built up in his cross, the strength of his punches increased without him realizing it. Right as he came in her mouth, he hit a lot harder than he expected. She grunted, and the air emptied her lungs. She shifted her body over from the impact of the blow. With her mouth full of cum, she swallowed it and whimpered. “Cleopatra,” she whispered, then rolled over, holding her stomach and trying to catch her breath. Logan sat up and rolled toward her. “Are you okay? You rarely use safe words.” She took a few more deep breaths, still holding her abdomen. “Yeah, baby. I’m okay.” “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Maybe this is one we should put on the shelf.” She shook her head. “No, I loved this one. I like how it makes my stomach feel and how the muscles tingle. Add this to the list of my favorite fetishes; it’s just the last one caught me off guard.” She smirked. “Now it’s my turn. But…” “But what, babygirl?” “I want you to continue doing what you were doing before. But not only at the top, spread it out some. All over my abdomen, just avoid the ribs. Also harder this time, but just not as hard as the last one.” She giggled. “Except…” She thought for a moment. “Right when I come. I want you to get a lot harder as I’m coming to see how it feels.” Logan smirked. “Alright, I’ll do my best.” “And one more thing,” Lisa laughed. “Right when I start to climax, hop up and put it in.” “You still on birth control?” “Always. Now get to work.” She giggled again and slid up on the bed, stretching herself out so her stomach muscles relaxed for him. Logan got down on his knees on the floor and slid his mouth into her crotch, and started moving her clit with his tongue. As he got into position, he shifted his body weight and punched her in the lower stomach, right above the pelvis. She shrieked, “Oh. God. Right there. Vibrates my entire uterus.” He punched her again in the same spot. This time, digging in a little. He enjoyed her soft moans and grunts, so he slid his tongue deeper into her vagina. She lifted her back off the ground, which allowed him to get a better angle with his tongue, which also made all the difference as her moans deepened. Each punch drove her pelvis back down a little, but she raised it back up. He surprised her with a harder punch to the upper stomach, knocking the wind from her lungs and causing a loud grunt; then, he rotated back to the lower stomach with equal intensity, replacing the grunt with a vocal moan. He felt his own penis pulsating at the same time. Her moans were driving him crazy, in a good way. “You can do better than that,” She teased. “Oh?” He said nonchalantly and hit her harder. Her entire abdomen vibrated under the weight, causing her to start gyrating in a way that turned him on even more. As he felt her body tense, her moans increased even more. “Now,” She whispered. He sat up and lay on top of her, sliding his penis as deep inside her as he could. “Keep punching,” She whispered. He propped himself up on one arm and punched her stomach with his other fist. This time, he varied where he hit. A few times in the lower stomach, a few times in the middle, then a hard one at the top. Each one forced a grunt from her lips, but her body flowed into it, pushing her pelvis upward so his penis went even further into the back. He slid the hand from the propped-up arm under her hair and grabbed it, pulling her head backward and exposing her stomach even more. “Now you’re getting the hang of it,” She said. She stretched her arms up over her head, exposing her rib cage. This is exactly where his next punch connected, forcing her arms back down to cover her stomach. He pulled her hair back harder, forcing her head back before burying his fist into her upper stomach again. She coughed and gagged, but followed it with a moan. Then, the waves started hitting Logan’s body, and he knew that Lisa felt it, too. The first massive wave started at the base of his penis and flashed through his entire being. As it happened to him, she moaned, cutting loose with the depth of her voice. The loud fan in the background definitely didn’t mask the sound from downstairs. “Harder,” She yelled. Getting caught up in the moment, Logan did as he was told. He shifted his pelvis back out and slammed it back in. As he did, he rammed his fist into her stomach hard. Then he pulled upward again and repeated the motion. And as the climax built, they were both in deep ecstasy, moaning loudly and their bodies convulsing and shaking as they mixed together. He listened for the safe word amid the pleasure, and none came. Each thrust pulsated into her pelvis, with an associated punch to go with it of equal intensity. Occasionally, she’d mumble the word ‘harder’, and he’d go a little harder, but he didn’t want to overdo it. As he climaxed, right near the end, her body tensed as well. He slammed his fist hard, deep into the center of her stomach, forcing her entire upper body to shoot upward and then fly back down at the strain of the orgasm. As it built up, he did it again and again. Each time, he built the climax until the contents of his balls were emptied far into her vagina. As she finished up the last of her moan, he did a few last punches for good measure, then rolled off her. He slid his arm under her neck and pulled her close, wrapping it around and laying his hand on her stomach. Together, they lay there breathing heavily. After catching her breath, she finally spoke. “That was fucking amazing. Add that to the list of my favorite fetishes.” “That’s a pretty long list, baby,” Logan smirked. He was glad she had fun and even more glad he didn’t accidentally hurt her. “Yeah, that one was unique.” “We’ve been experimenting with fetishes for years. This is the first time in forever since we discovered a new one. I love how it tingles my muscles, inside and out.” Logan smiled and drew her closer. “I love you, baby girl, with all my heart.” “I love you too.” She whispered as her breathing evened out. They lay there for a while, Logan playing with her hair and gently massaging her abdomen and body in various places. She closed her eyes and started drifting off to sleep. They still had a bit of time before therapy, so he decided to let her sleep until right before it was time to leave. “If you weren’t useless, then we’d actually get along better.” His mom slurred from downstairs, her voice echoing through the whole house. Lisa jarred away. “That dumb bitch.” Lisa sat up in bed and started to get dressed. “I’m sorry, Baby.” “No, it’s okay. I’m worried about you. Don’t let her stress you out. Do you want me to handle it?” “No, it’ll make it worse.” “If your dad is done, we can ride together until my therapy appointment?” Lisa nodded and headed for the door with Logan following behind her. As they entered the living room, Garrett watched television while her mom was on the other side, yelling about random stuff. “Mom, shut up. I’m tired of you talking to him like that.” Lisa blurted out, staring at her mom. “I’ve had enough of your mouth, you ungrateful bullshit.” Diane started moving towards Lisa with a raised hand. Logan instinctively jumped in front of Lisa in a defensive posture, his blood seething. Diane got halfway across the room, and Garrett stood in front of her. She slammed into him and fell backward onto the floor with a thud, shaking the house. “Enough is enough.” He looked back at Lisa. “I’m sorry. I tried avoiding this because she’s your mother.” Lisa nodded. “I don’t want her here anyway. Do what you need to do.” Garrett looked back at Diane intently. “You have two days. Get your stuff and get out. If you even try to speak to me again, I’ll call the police and have them escort you out sooner.” Diane looked up dazed and started to open her mouth, but then closed it again. Garrett looked over at Logan. “Claire’s ready, keys near the counter. She should run fine now.” He walked back over and sat in his chair to watch television as if nothing had happened. Lisa guided Logan past her mom on the floor, but Logan instinctively stood between her and Diane the entire time. Lisa snatched the keys off the counter and headed out the front door, with Logan following behind. Logan did not relax until Diane was out of sight. Claire was sitting near the edge of the driveway, ready to go. Logan grabbed Lisa and pulled her close, stroking her hair. “Are you okay, baby girl?” “I’m sorry you had to see this.” She wrapped her arms around him. “Ever since Melissa… Mom’s not been the same.” Diane always blamed herself for Mellisa being kidnapped. She’d been playing out in the yard while Diane did dishes, and the next thing she knew, she had vanished. She never forgave herself, and the drinking started not long after. “It’s not your fault. Besides, your problems are my problems. Always and forever.” Lisa giggled. “You and that show.” “The Originals and Vampire Diaries will always be the shit,” Logan said. Lisa laughed, which is what he wanted. After taking a deep breath, she spoke again. “I didn’t want it to come to this. I hoped she’d stop what she was doing, but I know this is for the best. She’s getting out of hand. But I just want to get my mind off stuff for now.” Logan checked his phone. “We have about forty-five minutes. We can ride around together and enjoy the scenery until then.” Together, they climbed on Claire, and he kick-started her. He pulled out and headed down the street with her secure behind him. The scenery flew by as Lisa nestled into his back. Logan thought if she got any closer, their skin would meld together. She slid her hands under his shirt and pulled him close. Her hands explored various places on his body as he drove. A tinge hit his nipple as she gently twisted it, and he jumped. A moan escaped his lips, and he couldn’t help but break into a grin. They rode together until just before the appointment and then turned into his therapist’s office parking lot. Logan was seeing Joanne Clemens, a therapist recommended by his mom. The parking lot circled the small building, but it was mostly empty except for two cars near the door. Logan parked several spaces beside one of the cars and turned off Claire. Logan and Lisa got off and walked toward the front door. The office building had a black roof and green paneling, which was not aesthetically appealing. The front door was glass but dark-tinted, so they couldn’t see inside. They walked into the lobby, which had a basic beige carpet covering all the floors and spotless white walls. Behind the service counter, one older lady with glasses sat. In the middle, a row of chairs was arranged, with a few magazines scattered on various racks and an old television jutting from the wall. Logan walked over to the desk while Lisa sat in one of the chairs. “Hello, how can I help you?” The lady asked. Logan noticed her nametag. “Hello, Maybell. I had an appointment.” “Logan Pendragon?” She said. “Yes, that’s me.” “Welcome to our practice. Dr. Clemens is running behind. She told me to delay her next appointment by twenty minutes. Have a seat, and I’ll call you up shortly.” Logan nodded and sat down next to Lisa. They had some small talk, and time passed. The receptionist motioned them back. As they entered the therapist’s office, the smell of dragon’s blood incense assaulted his nose. He recognized it from Mom. The office was small, with a couch for the patient, a customized black rocking chair for the therapist, and a desk on the other end of the room. Logan looked around the room and didn’t see Dr. Clemens anywhere. Then he noticed something red on the other side of the desk. He motioned to Lisa to stay, and he walked over to investigate. As he turned the desk, he saw a pool of blood and the body of Dr. Clemens slumped against the wall behind the desk. Her face was caved in, and blood was splattered on the wall and window behind her head. “Oh God,” Logan said, forcing the vomit down that was threatening to overflow his mouth. His heart started pounding, and a dizzy feeling made him stumble. It was the first time he remembered seeing a body, but somehow it was vaguely familiar. It brought him to one knee. “What is it?” Lisa asked from across the room, trying to look over the desk. “She’s dead.” “What?” Lisa asked again. “Dead. She’s dead.” “What the hell? Are you sure?” “Yeah. Tell Maybell and call the police. This was one of my mom’s friends. She’s going to be heartbroken.” Logan said, forcing himself to his feet. “How do you know she’s dead?” “Her face is missing. Whoever did this, it was violent.” Logan looked away, stumbled over to the patient couch, and sat down. “I can’t look at that anymore. Just go call the police, please, and give me a minute.” Lisa left the room. A few minutes later, Logan heard Maybell screaming and crying. A few minutes later, he heard Lisa talking on the phone with the police. He took a deep breath, trying to clear the scene from his mind. He knew he’d never seen death since his amnesia, but he was surprised by how… familiar the general feeling of death felt. His mind was filled with flashes of thousands upon thousands of dead bodies. He shook off the feeling and composed himself. A few deep breaths later, his heart rate steadied. He began mentally preparing himself to face the police questions and his mom. None of which was going to be easy. By the time police had arrived, Maybell’s screams had quieted to nothing more than a blubbering mess of sobbing. Lisa tried to console Maybell while giving Logan the time he needed to clear his head. Three cops and two sheriffs were the first to enter the office, with the sheriff taking point to confirm the body. “Dispatch, we have confirmed a homicide. Send in the detectives. We’ll prep the scene.” The sheriff walked back near the door. “Sir, please stay seated there until the detectives get here. They’ll want to question everyone before they’re released.” Logan nodded. Things passed around him in a daze as he zoned in and out. The police put up the tape, photographed the scene, and prepared evidence. A little while later, the detectives came in and did an initial stock of the evidence. Finally, one of the detectives walked over to him. “Hello, Mister. Pendragon. I’m Detective Cambridge.” He pulled out his notebook and flipped a few pages in. “We’ve talked to both Maybell and… Lisa, your girlfriend. Can you give us a rundown of your version of events?” Logan cleared his throat. “Umm. I had an appointment to see her today. She’s a friend of my mom’s and was recommended. My girl and I came in, and I saw the red stains on the carpet, so I told her to stay back. I walked over and saw her body. And her… face.” “Your girl is Lisa?” “Yeah,” Logan mumbled. “Have you ever seen the victim before today?” Cambridge asked. “No, I haven’t.” “Even in pictures.” “Never.” Cambridge cleared his throat and flipped the notebook closed. You and Lisa are free to go. She already gave me your contact information. If we need anything else, we’ll be in touch. Neither of you can leave the state until the investigation is concluded, just in case.” Logan nodded. Cambridge looked at him suspiciously. “You’re awfully calm for someone who just saw a lady’s face caved in. You sure there isn’t anything else you want to tell us?” “Sorry. I don’t know. Just never been in this situation before.” “What were you coming in to see her for today?” Cambridge asked. “An appointment.” “For what?” “Do I have to answer?” Cambridge looked over at his partner. “No, you don’t. But it could save you a trip to the station later under a warrant. Anything you can tell us now will save us a lot more time later.” Logan sighed. “I had Amnesia when I was sixteen and haven’t remembered anything before then. I’ve been having weird dreams, nightmares, and strange memories from my past. I was hoping she’d be able to help me unravel everything.” “So your mom knew Dr. Clemens and recommended her, and here you are?” “Yes, that’s right.” “Why was your girlfriend at the appointment?” “Moral support,” Logan responded. “I guess. I just felt safer with her here.” “Okay, you’re free to go. If we have any more questions, we will reach out. Thank you for communicating with us.” Logan nodded and left the office. He found Lisa sitting beside Claire in the parking lot, and flashing blue lights surrounded them. He didn’t say anything. He sat beside her, wrapped his arm around her neck, and pulled her close. He used his other hand and gently slid the hair behind her ear, something he knew always calmed her down. “You’re so sweet.” She whispered. “What?” “Here you are, having to deal with the brunt of this. You saw it, had to deal with the cops, and still have to talk to your mom. And you’re still worried about me.” “Always, you’re my baby. On that note, how are you holding up?” “I’m… okay. Just worried about you.” She leaned into his hug and took a deep breath. “I’ll be fine. I’m not sure how Mom will take it. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.” “How are you so calm about all this?” Lisa asked, glancing up at his face. “Full disclosure. I don’t know. There was something familiar about it.” “About her dying?” “No. About death in general. Maybe before my amnesia, I was around it a lot. I don’t know. It just felt… more commonplace than it should. I can’t explain it.” Lisa shrugged. “I hope you weren’t a serial killer back then.” “Yeah, me too.” “Well, if so, once you get your memory back, just don’t kill me.” Logan chuckled. “Thanks, I needed that.” She smiled and looked back at the road. “Maybe we should head back and tell your mom? I’ll go with you.” Logan drew in a deep breath and blew out. “Okay, let’s do this.” He stood up and helped Lisa up. They loaded onto Claire and headed back toward his house. By the time they pulled in, it was close to dark, right after the family had dinner. Logan parked Claire and went inside, with Lisa directly behind him. Most of the family was already in their rooms or doing their own thing. Mom was in the kitchen finishing dishes and whistling a random country song Logan barely recognized. “Mom,” Logan asked as he walked up beside her. Lisa walked past them and sat down at the table. “Hey, Hunny. How was yer appointment.” She asked, drying a plate. “Mom, can you sit down for a minute? I need to talk to you about something.” "Everything okay, darlin'?" She put the plate in the strainer and sat beside Lisa. “Dr. Clemen’s is dead. I found her body in her office, and we reported it to the police.” Mom’s eyes started to water, and she looked down at the table. “How did she die?” “Are you sure you want the details?” Mom nodded. Logan took a deep breath. “Her face was caved in. They didn’t find anything missing from her office. They asked us some questions and let us go.” Paige sat in silence for a bit, visibly fighting back her tears. “I love ya, hun. Can y'all please tell Dad what happened and tell him to give me time to myself, not to bother me for a few hours?” Logan put his hand on her shoulders. “I’ll tell him. I’m so sorry, Mom.” “Me too,” she said softly. “Me and her were really close.” She stood up, turned off all the cooking gear, and headed down the hallway toward her room. Logan walked into the garage, and Lisa followed behind him. When Logan told Dad the news, he looked away. “Your mom’s going to take that one really hard. So are the kids.” “Kids?” Logan asked. “I thought only Mom knew her?” “No, she was the family therapist, too.” “I’ll let them all know,” Logan turned back toward the kitchen. Dad put his arm on Logan’s shoulder. “I’ll tell them. You’ve been through enough today.” Logan was visibly shaking. Dad took a deep breath. “Listen, Son. Take some time for yourself to process all of this. Stay with Lisa tonight. Spend a day with her and unwind. I’ll handle things here and get people back on track mentally.” Logan turned toward Dad and hugged him. “Are you going to be okay?” Dad nodded. “I will be. I barely knew her. Also, knowing your mom, she will still want to go through with the family dinner on Sunday. So take a few days, just be back here Saturday night or Sunday morning for the dinner.” Logan didn’t say anything, but he squeezed his dad a little tighter in confirmation. Turned and walked back outside with Lisa. Episode 3 - Bonding Episode Name: Bonding Current Location: Focal Dimension, Earth, United States, Georgia, Smyrna Earth Time (EST): Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 11:55 PM CST: 499,999,999,995 Logan lay in bed with Lisa at her house and scooted beside her until their skin touched. She snuggled backward, lining the curves of her back with his body. He wrapped his arm around her waist and laid It on her upper stomach, feeling the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing. She flexed her abs, and goosebumps shot through his fingers. His body shivered as he felt fire rising throughout his body from his crotch. “Distract me,” He whispered. “What’s your favorite thing about me?” Lisa asked. “Sexually, I know my stomach is your favorite part of my body. But besides, sexually, what do you like about me? And what do you dislike about me? Please don’t give me a stock answer. I really want the truth.” “Everything,” Logan said. “You wanted to be distracted. So entertain me. Give me a real, honest answer.” “Alright. The truth, good and bad. I love your personality. I love your smile. It feels like the rising sun on a beautiful day. The way your eyes sparkle, especially at night. You’re my little cat-eyed baby. Your laugh is music to my ears, and you have the perfect voice. It’s soothing, feminine, yet beautifully stern all at the same time.” He pulled her body even closer to his. She grabbed his arm, which was wrapped around her stomach, and pulled him closer in return. “I love the passion you have for life. The intelligence you have surpasses most people I’ve met. I love how you make me feel like I’m in a never-ending fairytale. Your love is a gift I’ll always cherish.” “And the bad.” She said softly. “I dislike how you’re always late. But I also love how you always make it worth the wait. I dislike how sometimes you forget things; it can be frustrating. But it’s more than made up for by all the little stuff you remember that genuinely matters to me the most. I dislike how stubborn you tend to get. But I like that you never give up on things you believe in. It hurts me when you sometimes get so moody, but I love how you feel bad immediately afterward, then let me in and tell me everything.” A tear hit his arm, and he lovingly tightened his grip on her. “I dislike how sometimes you worry a lot. But I find it loving that the worrying always seems focused on me. I dislike how indecisive you are sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, with how deeply you follow your heart. I hate how hard you are on yourself sometimes. But I also love that it drives you to a deeper greatness that I know you can achieve. I dislike how impatient you get sometimes, but I love how you always remind me to slow down and enjoy the little moments in life.” His arm was getting wetter by the moment, and he firmly cuddled her and continued pouring his heart out. “I don’t remember a large chunk of my life. But from the time I can remember, everything has always felt so fast-paced, like time moved at a breakneck speed. Somehow, from my perspective, it felt like days, weeks, and months would go by in the blink of an eye. Ever since I met you, I have felt time slow down. The greatest gift you’ve given me was the ability to enjoy life again. I love you with all my heart, and whatever is on your mind, you have nothing to worry about. I promise, baby.” “What if you get your memory back? Will you forget me?” “I’ll never forget you. You will always be a permanent part of my life, whatever that looks like.” “What if you find out you had a girl before me?” Lisa asked. “Then she’s in the past and stays in the past. Even if I get my memories back.” “What if you remember someone, and then your feelings for them return?” Logan leaned up in bed and rolled her toward him, onto her back. Looking into her eyes, he smiled and gently wiped away some of her tears. “That won’t happen. I promise you, no matter what, I’ll always be yours, and you’ll always be mine. Always and forever.” “I hope so,” She whispered. Logan lay on his back, rolled her over on him, and snuggled her. He let the silence linger and decided to open up deeper. “There are a few things I haven’t told you, and I was going to when we were in therapy, since I know I’d have to explain it there anyway. But considering that didn’t go as planned, I was going to tell you now.” “Of course. What’s on your mind?” “I don’t know what it means, but I remember things that seem like memories. But they’re far-fetched, so I know they can’t be real. But I know what a memory is… and how they feel. Whatever these are, they feel like real memories. Well, not full memories… more like fragments, bits, and pieces, or situational memories.” “What do you ‘remember’?” “There’s so much. Dinosaurs, for example. There's a lot of random stuff involving dinosaurs. But not like what you see on television. But… memories where I was there, interacted with them, and lived with them. I lived in that world. Other memories are random events throughout history. Like me, being a part of random wars and random things happening throughout history. Nothing concrete, but random and scattered.” “Anything specific, or are they all generalized?” Lisa asked. “Most of them are generalized. But there are a lot of random, specific ones as well. Stuff throughout history, bits and pieces of important conversations, and many deaths. Another reason her body didn’t phase me as much is that it feels like I’ve seen hundreds of deaths, maybe even millions, in my memories.” Lisa sat silent for a minute. “Regarding the dinosaurs and history stuff, maybe you were a huge history buff