Nathan and Logan arrived at the Gremzor residence, moments before the sun set. Fortunately, the rain stopped as they left the barn, allowing their clothes to dry along the way. They removed their muddy shoes, leaving them at the door, and crossed the threshold.
"That smells amazing!" Logan said in response to a mouth watering aroma that seduced their senses the moment they stepped inside.
"What was that? You want to help me finish up? How kind of you." Mrs Gremzor yelled from the kitchen.
Nathan grinned mischievously.
"Yes Logan, very kind of you." Nathan said, patting him on the back.
"Wait, what?" Logan said in surprise.
They headed towards the kitchen, but not before being smothered by Cosmo.
“Is he always like this?” Logan asked as he pet the husky.
“No, but he has a thing for weird odours, maybe you just stink?”
“What?”
Nathan grinned.
"Good evening Mother." Nathan said, kissing her on the cheek.
"Good evening dear, who is this handsome young man?" Mrs Gremzor said.
"This is Logan, he volunteered to help with supper.” Nathan said as he attempted to steal a carrot from the prep table.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Logan."
"The pleasure is mine, ma’am."
Mrs Gremzor smiled. "Thank you for the offer, however, you are Nathan's guest." she said, slapping Nathan's hand away from the food.
"Will you be joining us for supper?" she asked
"I don't want to impose."
"Nonsense! Nathan, show him to the table, supper will be ready soon."
They walked through the hallway and passed the living room.
"Good evening gentlemen, I trust that you had an eventful afternoon?" Mr Gremzor said.
"Father, this is Logan. He is a good friend."
"It's good to meet you sir." Logan said extending his hand.
Mr Gremzor shook his hand with an overwhelming grip.
Logan felt strange, the pressure he sensed coming off Mr Gremzor's grip should've crushed his hand, but it didn't.
‘What a strange sensation, his hand feels heavy…very heavy’ his thoughts lingered as he stared at their linked hands.
Mr Gremzor smiled and released his grip.
"Nathan, please join me in the study for a few moments." he said then turned to Logan.
"Please excuse us.” Mr Gremzor said. “Make yourself at home." he directed Logan to the dining room.
Nathan pat Logan’s back and nodded.
"I'll be back shortly…relax, everything is going to be fine." he whispered.
Logan returned a nod and proceeded to the dining room.
When Nathan entered the study, he found his father sitting on top of his large maple desk, his arms crossed. He noticed the tension in his father's jaw, and felt a nervous sweat run down his face.
"What happened?" his father said.
Nathan sighed then corrected his posture.
"I discovered the cause of the explosion at Bracken High school.”
His father gave him a look that urged him to continue.
"It’s Logan. He seems to be afflicted with something sinister. What ever it is, it takes hold of his consciousness and goes on a rampage."
Mr Gremzor raised his brow. "Are you suggesting?..." he said, but stopped when he noticed Nathan shaking his head.
"No, I do not think that he is responsible for the attacks. Besides, he has a different target."
Mr Gremzor paused then nodded as though he realised something.
"It was he who broke your seal?"
"Yes, he packs quite the punch.” Nathan said. “Also… he has an innate ability to fly."
Mr Gremzor's eyes widened at his last words.
“Can he wield Eleon?" he said.
“It’s hard to say, we only fought with our fists.”
“How did you fair?”
“He caught me off guard a few times, it was especially tricky in the air.”
“So he managed to land a blow… I see, a few blows.”
Nathan shrugged.
"You held back?"
"Naturally, he is a friend, I did not want to hurt him."
His father got off the table and walked towards the window.
"This is a troubling turn of events, especially in light of the recent attack." he said.
Nathan tilted his head.
"Another has been attacked, when?"
His father turned around to him. "This morning, near the woods.”
Nathan froze.
"Is something the matter?"
Nathan stared blankly for a few moments.
"I found him in the woods, in a clearing north of the bank building. He already lost control and attacked the moment he saw me." he said with a look of concern
"The attack took place farther away, however…" his father said then paused.
"I still do not believe that he is responsible, he has no control over his actions." Nathan said.
"Do you believe him?"
Nathan nodded. "Yes, he was not feigning. When I faced him, he was like a beast driven by primal rage.”
"Whether he is in control of his actions matters little, the Nava care only for the facts. And the fact is, he is dangerous.”
Nathan averted his gaze and stood in silence.
"You mentioned that you were his target?"
Nathan nodded. "He said that he’s been having disturbing nightmares about the explosion, as well as brutally killing me.”
"I understand, you know what has to happen now, yes?"
"Yes, but please father, we have to help him overcome his affliction. He is a good man."
His father nodded. "I will do what I can, however, we have to take precautions. You stated that he is not in control of his actions, therefore, there is a chance that his memory too may be altered. He is powerful enough to break your seal, we have to be cautious." he said.
Nathan nodded reluctantly.
His father approached and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"We'll investigate the matter thoroughly, for now, we need to have Dormain take a look at him and conduct a few tests. He said.
Logan and the Gremzors shared a hearty meal, with Mrs Gremzor leading the conversation. The topics varied but we’re lighthearted, allowing him to feel at ease around them.
After supper ended, Mr Gremzor and Logan sat across from each other at the dinner table. Nathan removed the last plate and glass, then walked to the kitchen to clean the rest of the dishes.
"So tell me about your family Logan, I don't mean to pry, I just noticed that you avoided the question earlier." Mr Gremzor said.
"I live with my aunt and uncle." Logan said.
"So I've heard, but what about your parents?"
Logan’s head dropped.
"They died in an accident." he said in a soft voice.
Mr Gremzor sighed. "I truly am sorry for my insensitivity, I had no idea."
"No it’s fine, it happened months ago so…" Logan said, but stopped when he noticed a change in Mr Gremzor's expression.
"I'm going to be candid with you, Nathan explained everything."
Logan’s eyes widened and his heart raced.
"Calm yourself, I'm not here to interrogate you. I only need answers if you have them.” he said, then smiled
Logan took a deep breath and nodded.
"You said that your parents passed a few months ago…does your ability precede their death?"
Logan shook his head.
"No, the night of the explosion was my first time experiencing anything…"
Mr Gremzor raised his brow. “Is there something else?"
Logan glanced at him then looked down.
Mr Gremzor got off his chair, and moved to a seat beside him. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"This is a safe space, you can tell me anything. I swear to do everything within my power to keep you and your family safe, but I cannot do that if I don't know all of the facts."
Logan nodded.
"I don't remember the day of the accident, but my aunt and uncle told me that I was present in the car. The strange thing is, the rescuers couldn't find any trace of me around the crash site."
Mr Gremzor nodded for him to continue.
"I woke up weeks later, my body unscathed…inside of a morgue."
Mr Gremzor furrowed his brow. "Who knows about your situation?"
"No one else knows, I have to keep it hidden."
Mr Gremzor nodded.
"Would you be able to accompany us on a voyage?"
"Uhm…I have work, and my aunt might get worried.”
Mr Gremzor narrowed his eyes. "Logan, if we do not get your abilities under control, the next time…."
Logan’s eyes widened. "I understand! I'll go with you, anything to prevent me from hurting people." he said, clenching his fists.
Mr Gremzor smiled. "Good, I will make preparations for our travels, please resolve matters on your end as well."
Logan nodded.
"Mr Gremzor, I have…" Logan began, however, Mr Gremzor interjected.
"Questions, I would expect that you have many. All of your questions will be answered in due course, this is not the time nor location to discuss those matters. You may write them down in the mean while.”
A few days after their conversation, Mr Gremzor, Nathan and Logan drove to an undisclosed location on the outskirts of Bracken.
Logan felt quite anxious as he didn't know what to expect. They did not tell him where they were going, nor who would be waiting for them when they arrived.
"So where is this place exactly?" Logan said from the back seat.
Nathan grinned. “Well, let's just say that it's quite far away.” he said turning to him.
"What do you mean?"
"Relax, everything will make sense soon. It's better to show you, rather than explain.”