The evening news reported on the explosion at Bracken High School. In the early hours of the morning, one of the school buses flew into the building, presumably due to the freak gale force wind that swept through Bracken around the same time.

The anchor said, “It’s unfortunate that the school suffered such devastating damage, however, we can find solace in the fact that no one was hurt. As of now, we have no reports of any resident being injured as a result of the gale force wind nor explosion.”

Nathan turned his attention away from the television perched in the corner of the room, and stared at his half empty glass on the black counter top. He entered Eleven-Noon over an hour ago to clear his mind, unfortunately, he could not shake a sinking feeling that had been gnawing at him since he witnessed the explosion.

He informed his father of what he and Bradley witnessed, and that he felt that there may be a connection between the explosion and his father’s investigation. Although he said that, he wasn't entirely convinced. He found the freak gale force wind explanation to be strange however, as he did not see nor feel its effects when looking over the cliff. Something strange had taken place, he just could not place it as yet.

"Still thinking about that woman?" Logan said.

"Huh? No." Nathan said. “Well yes, kind of."

Logan furrowed his brows. "She doesn't seem like the type of woman you’d “kind of” think about." he said. "Especially not after seeing the two of you together last night.”

Nathan grinned. "You saw that did you?"

Logan chuckled. "Who didn't? The two of you were the catalyst for Bradley and the dark angel making out." he said. "Speaking of, where is that idiot tonight?"

"I would think you'd be grateful to have a break for one night, but I could call him if you wish." Nathan said removing his mobile phone from his pocket.

"No, I'm grateful, please don't." Logan said with outstretched hands.

Nathan laughed and sipped his drink.

"By the way, I asked Bradley about your relationship a while back. He said you kind of grew up together? You hung out together whenever you visited Bracken right?”

Logan stared at Nathan with a blank expression, he sighed, then he averted his gaze.

Nathan sensed that he may have touched on a sensitive topic, or at least something Logan did not feel comfortable discussing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry." He said. "I was just curious as to how close you are with him.”

Logan shook his head. "No it's alright, it makes sense that you'd be curious about that.”

"Yeah, I would visit my aunt and uncle here quite often, and Bradley's place was not too far from their home.” he said. "I don't remember when we first started hanging out together, but for a while he was my only friend here, so we became inseparable."

"I understand. You and that idiot are really good friends then." Nathan said.

Logan chuckled. "Yeah, I guess.”

"Despite his reckless behaviour, he means well.”

"Yes, Its one of his redeeming qualities." Nathan said.

"Anyway, I told him to stay indoors and away from alcohol for a few days, to recover and get over his shock."

Logan laughed, familiar with Bradley's dramatic antics.

"What has him in shock, the fact that he kissed a pretty girl that wanted you?”

Nathan grinned at Logan's comment, then looked around and stiffened his expression.

"We witnessed the explosion at the school this morning." he whispered.

Logan’s expression changed as well, he stared at Nathan with a look of concern.

"Did you see what happened, did you tell the police?" he said, leaning on the counter.

Nathan shrugged. "There's nothing to tell. We were on the cliff, so we only saw the flash of the explosion before the building got destroyed."

Nathan glanced at the television displaying images of the destroyed school building.

Logan stared at Nathan intently, an image flashed in his mind, causing him to avert his eyes.

"I see…since it's been on the news all day, our drama queen is having a hard time." Logan said after a short pause.

Nathan nodded.

He sighed. "Anyway, this detox is good for him, perhaps it will lead to something positive.”

"Let's hope." Logan said.

"Hey what happened with that woman, it's Sam right?"

Nathan stopped midway through taking another sip.

"More importantly, where did you go last night?" Nathan said, grinning.

Logan’s eyes widened.

"I was told that you left the festa with a beautiful singer."

"Oh…yes, yes we went to an after party.”

Nathan chuckled. "I wont ask any details, just one question."

Logan raised his brow. "And what might that be?”

"Did you have an eventful time?"

Logan paused to glance over Nathan's shoulder.

"You could say that." he said in a soft voice.

Nathan laughed and struck his arm, snapping him out of his daze.

"Don't look so gloomy, I'm sure you'll get another chance to see her.”

Logan nodded. "Yeah, but it's all right either way.” he said. "Don't think that I have forgotten your lack of response earlier, what happened with Sam?"

"That blonde in the corner is asking for you, you'd better go and check what she wants." Nathan said, tilting his head.

"I want answers when I return!"

Nathan grinned then finished the remainder of his drink.

"Drinking alone is a cry for help you know?" a flat voice said.

Nathan smirked and looked to his right.

"A cry only heard by those who need help themselves.” he said. “What are you doing here, Fey?"

A dark haired woman sat beside him and removed her leather gloves.

"The same as you, I have come for a drink." she said.

Nathan inspected her clothing and hair, he grinned then nodded.

"Would you stop ogling, we are in a public place. In addition, I am your senior, it is highly inappropriate." she said, tugging on her coat and fixing her hair.

"Hardly." he said. "It appears that you took my suggestions to heart, your appearance is not as striking as before.”

She glared at him then harrumphed.

"If you must know, my attire is at the suggestion of High Councilman Gremzor, not yours.”

"My father, sure.”

"In any case, when did you arrive?"

"Around noon, I would have arrived sooner had the portal not malfunctioned.”

Nathan furrowed his brow. "A malfunction, what happened?"

"I arrived in Klendyle instead of Bracken. They said that there had been a misalignment with the coordinates. It took those bastards hours to fix it." she said, clenching her fist.

"Klendyle is a paradise, it could not have been too dreadful to unwind for a few hours.”

She scowled. "Not while!" she yelled, slamming her palm on the counter. She stopped, looked around the room, and took a deep breath.

"Not while our people are being killed, it is unforgivable." she said in a soft voice.

"Calm yourself Feyzana, I understand the severity of the situation."

She averted her gaze.

"I apologise for my outburst...I." she said but Nathan interjected.

"There’s no need, come, let us have a drink together." he said waving his hand at one of the bartenders.

Her eyes widened.

"That is why you came, is it not?" he said.

She cleared her throat and nodded.

"One drink." she said.

Nathan grinned. "Unfortunately they do not serve barrels in this world, you will have to order what they call a keg to satisfy your needs."

"How dare you?" she said standing up.

"Oh…hello there.” Logan said, taken a back by Feyzana's appearance.

She smiled and returned his greeting.

"Good evening." she said.

Logan glanced at Nathan.

"Introduce me?" he said after a brief pause.

Nathan shrugged.

"This is Feyzana, she works for my Dad. Fey this is Logan, the infamous bartender of Eleven-Noon" he said.

Logan narrowed his eyes and grinned.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” she said extending her hand over the counter.

"The pleasure is all mine" he said shaking her hand.

On a hot summer evening, the temperature in Bracken reached an uncomfortable degree. Many residents found it troublesome, cursing the heat for their lack of sleep.

Logan too tossed and turned in bed, but for reasons different from the rest of Bracken. The heat played a role in his insomnia, however, the most damaging were his thoughts, more specifically his fears.

He decided it would be best to clear his mind, despite the heat, he went for a jog around Bracken. He started off slow, then increased his pace to a light sprint, then sped up some more. A familiar sensation arose, an urge to sprint as fast as possible, only this time he did not give in to the feeling. Unfortunately his consent was not required, the moment he tried to control the feeling, it consumed him.

He blurred by houses and buildings, shattering windows and barely avoiding parked cars and other obstacles in his path. He ran through a large fence, slid on gravel, and came to a screeching halt in front of a white construction truck.

His eyes widened and he trembled at the familiar scene.

‘No, no, no!’

His heart sunk. He knew what came next, though he could not understand this situation. How did he arrive at an area of the school unaffected by the explosion? More so, with a large vehicle perfectly positioned to...

‘No, I refuse!”

Logan attempted to flee, but stopped abruptly. An intense pain enveloped his head, throbbing louder and more ferocious as each second passed. He fell onto his knees unable to withstand the pressure, the pain intensified even further to the point where it felt like his head was about to explode. He yelled and cursed at the top of his lungs, but the crippling pain remained.

The pain transformed into anger, and the anger into fury. After some time, all of the pain disappeared, more accurately, it had been converted into a smouldering rage.

Logan used the truck to help him get to his feet, crushing the metal frame where he applied pressure. He stood beside the truck staring at his reflection in the cracked window, he then struck the vehicle due to a sudden impulse.

The truck cannoned into the school building, sending concrete and metal flying in all directions. Logan stared at the destruction and smiled menacingly, then at that moment, an explosion erupted.

"W...what have you done?" a trembling voice asked.

Logan froze in a panic, he recognised the voice. He turned around slowly with his hands in the air.

"Nathan...I, I can explain." he said.

Nathan instinctively took a step back upon seeing Logan’s face.

"Wait, don't be afraid. I can explain." he said noticing Nathan subtle retreat.

"I didn't see anything, I swear. You can let me go."

Logan took a step forward, his eyes lifeless and his expression that of a deranged individual.

Nathan did not wait for him to get any closer, he turned around and ran as fast as he could.

"Nathan wait!" he yelled and chased after him.

Logan caught up to Nathan in an instant, and flung him across the school yard. Nathan slammed into an undamaged wall with a loud thud, creating large and deep cracks. Nathan's incapacitated body slid down the wall on to the ground. Logan flipped him onto his back, sat on his chest and pinned his arms to his side.

"Why did you run? I told you that I could explain!" he said, then proceeded to punch Nathan in the face, repeatedly.

Logan stopped his brutal attack abruptly and stared at his bloodied hands, his face expressionless and cold.

"Pl...ea…se, st…o…" Nathan's desperate plea barely audible due to his swollen jaw. The sound of Nathan's voice snapped him to his senses.

Logan trembled at the horrific sight of his friend brutally beaten by his hands.

Nathan coughed, spraying blood in all directions. As though the warmth of fresh blood on his face triggered something primal, he laughed uncontrollably and started pummelling Nathan's face again.

With each hit, the sound of bones crackling and breaking echoed, but Logan never relented. He kept pummelling until he gasped for air drenched in sweat. He sat up on his bed, grabbed his pillow and screamed into it until he ran out of breath.

He reclined back and stared at the ceiling, shaking and in tears. He looked at his trembling hands and clenched them, but the shaking did not stop.