A sharp knock at the door woke Jack from the Land of Nod. He froze for a moment, his instincts kicking in. With practiced ease, he swept the crafting tools out of sight, tucking them into the hidden pockets of his cloak. Only when the room looked as mundane as when he’d entered did he move toward the door -towel in hand, sliding the chain to partially open it.

Through the narrow gap, the front desk clerk stood illuminated by the dim hallway light, her expression a mix of hesitation and determination. In her hands, she held a stack of towels and a small bundle of toiletries.

“I thought you might need these,” she said, her voice catching slightly.

Jack raised an eyebrow. She’d steeled herself for this, he realized. Her shift was probably over, and she had come up with this flimsy excuse to see him again. He studied her for a moment. She was pretty, in a small-town way -in other words the right kind. And her eyes held a flicker of more -curiosity, nerves, and maybe something else.

Jack closed the door briefly to unhook the chain before reopening it fully. He stood shirtless in the doorway, a towel slung loosely around his hips, his hair still damp from the shower.

The effect was immediate. The girl’s face flushed crimson, and she swallowed, her earlier resolve wavering under the sight of him. Jack couldn’t help but smile at her reaction, a mix of embarrassment and something deeper flickering in her eyes.

“Thanks,” he said, his voice warm but casual as he took the items from her hands. “I appreciate it.”

She lingered in the hallway as he set the toiletries on the side table, clearly trying to gather her courage for something. Jack turned back to her, his easy demeanor disarming. “You don’t happen to know of any restaurants still open, do you? I’m starving.”

Her face brightened, the flush in her cheeks receding as she seized the opening. “Yes, actually. There’s a 24-hour diner a few miles down the road. They’ve got great food.”

Jack smiled again, and the effect on her was almost palpable. She looked like she might melt, but she visibly steadied herself, holding onto her composure by sheer will.

“Great. Thanks,” Jack said, reaching for the door to close it.

Before he could, she quickly placed her hand on the edge, stopping it from shutting. Her heart pounded as she spoke, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess herself. “Do you… want some company? I’m off duty.”

Jack regarded her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he smiled, and it was devastating.

“Sure,” he said easily. “Let me get dressed.”

Jack pulled on a dark shirt and jeans, making sure the room was empty of anything unusual. He glanced around one last time, satisfied it looked as nondescript as it had when he arrived. Slinging his jacket over his shoulder, he stepped out into the hallway.

The girl was leaning against the wall, her nerves barely concealed behind a casual stance. She straightened when she saw him, her smile uncertain but genuine.

“I’m hungry,” Jack said by way of greeting, his tone light. “Let’s eat.”

She smiled back, falling into step beside him as they made their way to the parking lot. They got approached his car, and she made a point of remarking on how beautiful the classic was. That sent a warmth of appreciation through Jack, and he offered to drive them. But she had second thoughts and suggested that they drive both vehicles, just in case.

Jack was not surprised and actually agreed with her thinking. He had no intention of taking advantage of the woman tonight, despite how much she might have been toying with the idea.

The Lakeside Diner was exactly what Jack expected: retro decor, vinyl booths, and the faint smell of grease and coffee hanging in the air. He loved diners -there was a timelessness to them that made him feel just a little less out of place.

The waitress, a dirty blonde named Rosie, greeted them with a tired but kind smile, before leading them to a corner booth. Jack slid in across from the girl, picking up the laminated menu.

“What’s good here?” he asked, glancing at her over the top of the menu.

“Everything,” she said with a small laugh. “But their burgers are the best.”

The diner’s hum of muted conversation and clinking dishes was a comforting backdrop as she offered her hand. “I’m Susie,” she said, her voice warm and inviting.

“Jack,” he replied, shaking her hand lightly. “Nice to meet you.”

Jack nodded, his lips curving into a faint smile as he flagged down the waitress to order. As they settled in, the girl seemed to relax, the earlier tension melting into something more comfortable. Jack listened as she chatted about the town, the locals, and her plans for the future. He offered the occasional comment or question, keeping her talking.

But even as he engaged, his mind was elsewhere. The cores, the crafting process, and the looming reality of what lay ahead filled the corners of his thoughts. This world might look ordinary, but it was anything but. He could feel it shifting beneath the surface, like the low rumble of an earthquake waiting to break free.

The girl brought him back to the present with a laugh at something she said. Jack smiled faintly, letting himself enjoy the simplicity of the moment. For now, it was enough. The chaos of dungeons and gods could wait awhile.

As they sat across from each other in the corner booth, two steaming cups of coffee between them., and a few empty plates the sole survivors of the slaughter that was their meal, Jack leaned back slightly, his expression calm but attentive, while Susie perched forward, her interest piqued.

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She found Jack fascinating. He wasn’t like the locals or the usual travelers passing through on their way to somewhere better. There was something about him -a quiet strength, a sense of purpose that set him apart.

As they talked, Jack learned more about her as well. Susie was a grad student who’d taken a break to figure things out, only to find herself back home in Havasu City. She didn’t sound thrilled about it. She talked about her dreams of becoming a journalist, though her major was in environmental studies.

“I’m not one of those people who thinks the world’s ending,” she admitted. “But I do want to do something to fight pollution. You know, make a difference, even if it’s small.”

Jack listened intently, his occasional nod or question encouraging her to open up. He found her candidness refreshing, a stark contrast to the guarded conversations he was used to.

“You’re easy to talk to,” she said at one point, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.

“You’re easy to listen to,” he replied with a small smile, making her blush deepen.

Their conversation carried well into the night, the time slipping by unnoticed until the diner door swung open. A gruff-looking man stumbled inside, his face flushed from drink. He spotted Susie sitting with Jack and stopped, his expression darkening.

“Well, well,” the man slurred, staggering toward their booth. “If it isn’t Susie and her latest… what? Some drifter?”

Jack’s expression didn’t change, but there was a shift in his posture -subtle, but enough to make him seem larger, more imposing. He didn’t move, his gaze fixed on the man with an unnerving calm.

“Leave, Travis,” Susie said sharply, her earlier warmth replaced by steel.

Travis ignored her, leaning over the table toward Jack. “You think you’re something special, huh? Think you can just-” Jack could smell the liquor on the man’s breath, and knew that now wasn’t the time. He didn’t like to take advantage of people when they weren’t in their right minds.

“Go home,” Jack said quietly, his voice carrying a weight that made Travis falter.

Travis glared, but the sheer presence emanating from Jack was enough to make him hesitate. Muttering curses under his breath, he stumbled back out the door.

“Who was that?” Jack asked, his tone neutral. He looked at Susie who was staring at him in muted shock.

She shook herself and sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. “My ex. The reason I’m not thrilled to be back here.”

“I see. Nice fellow.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I thought so too. Then I caught him with Marabell, and, well…” She shrugged.

“You made the right choice.”

“Thanks,” she said softly, reaching across the table to place her hand on his. Jack didn’t pull away, but he didn’t respond either.

Her gaze lingered on him, expectant. He considered for a moment, his thoughts drifting. He wasn’t opposed to physical connection -he was still a man- but casual entanglements weren’t his thing.

He signaled the waitress for the bill, paid it, and stood. “Let’s get you home,” he said.

Susie smiled warmly, and they left together.

The night air was cool and still as Jack followed Susie to her car. They were halfway across the parking lot when Travis reappeared, his drunken bravado renewed.

“You think you’re tough, huh?” Travis growled, squaring off with Jack.

Jack sighed, stepping in front of Susie. “I told you to go home.”

“And I’m telling you, she’s mine,” Travis slurred.

Then he lunged, but Jack sidestepped him with ease, his movements fluid and precise. One quick motion, and Travis was on the ground, groaning. Jack hadn’t actually harmed him, merely using the man’s drunkenness and momentum against him to pin him to the ground.

Jack looked down at him with an air of detached annoyance. “Stay down.” When Travis struggled, Jack used his leverage and continued to hold him in place.

He looked at Susie, who was watching with wide eyes. “You should go, I’ll follow behind -make sure you get home okay.”

She smiled hesitantly, her eyes going from Jack to Travis before she nodded. Getting into her car she drove to the edge of the lot and waited, expectantly.

Jack smiled at her and shook his head.

Then he turned his attention back the man who was struggling futilely against his hold. Not wanting to waste any more time, Jack stood him up and growled.

“Where’s your car?” He demanded.

Travis spat in impotent rage, before groaning as he once more failed to break out of Jack’s grip. His face was red as he grunted towards a fancy new pickup.

Nodding, Jack said “Keys.”

Travis reached into his pocket with his free arm and shakily held out the keys, he dropped them at the last moment, and Jack ignored them as he proceeded to walk Travis towards the truck.

Reaching the tailgate, Jack -in a blur of motion- twirled and heaved the man like a bale of hay into the bed. Travis landed with a thunk against the cab, his impact lessened by the finesse with which Jack had thrown him.

“I’d suggest you stay there and sleep it off,” Jack warned.

Hearing a groan in response, and a mumbling string of curses, Jack nodded in satisfaction before walking over to get the keys to the truck.

He took them into the diner and told the waitress not to give them back to Travis until he’d sobered up.

She took them in surprise. “Sure thing, sugar. Take care of Susie, you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jack replied with a smile. She returned it and watched as he walked out the door into the night.

“Lucky girl,” she murmured, tucking the keys behind the counter.

Back in the lot, Jack saw that Susie’s car was nowhere in sight.

He sighed, and made his way to his car. That’s probably for the best.

Arriving back at the motel, he was surprised to see Susie standing beside her car, arms crossed as she waited.

“Took your time,” she drawled with a grin.

Jack smirked and pulled up along side her.

“It’s late.” His tone caused her smile to fade, but it resurged as he continued. “How about I follow you home in my car, and make sure you get there okay, yeah?”

She nodded quickly and jumped into her car. A few moments later they were speeding along the darkened roads towards her place.

The drive out of town was quiet at first, the unlit highway stretching endlessly before them. His car was a good distance behind hers, when he saw a text come up on his dash.

Susie: I’m bored. Want to talk?

In answer, Jack hit the video call button and one ring later, she picked up.

“Hi,” she said breathily. Jack could hear the smile in her voice. The darkened interior of the car not providing more than a silhouette of shadow.

“Hey,” Jack said, his own smirk on full display as he looked at her image.

Several moments of quiet passed, and then Susie broke the silence.

“This was my parents’ place,” she said, gesturing ahead. “They usually rent it out, but they let me stay there for the summer when I came back. That summer turned into two years.”

Jack nodded, keeping his attention on the road. The faintest prickle of unease crept over him, sharpening his focus. The air felt… wrong.

As they neared her place, his instincts flared. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and his dungeon sense roared to life.

“Dammit,” he muttered under his breath, slowing the car.

“What is it?” Susie asked, sensing his tension, and slowing her car in response.

“Are you sure this is your place?” he asked, his voice calm but firm.

Susie peered ahead in confusion, her breath catching when she saw it -a massive, dark rift in the ground, its edges shimmering faintly.

“What the hell is that?” she whispered.

“Pull over,” Jack demanded. And she complied without hesitation. Her car was just off the road, and Jack pulled his vehicle up behind hers. “That,” he said, stepping out, “is trouble.” He waited to hang up until she was standing beside him. Then he took a photo before putting his phone away.

They stood together and gazed at the gaping maw and Jack felt a surge of anticipation race through him.

Looks like I got lucky after all, he thought with a smile.