He stopped at Willow’s front door, unsure if he should knock. ‘I’ve been here so many times before, why am I suddenly so unsure if I can be here?’ He shook the thought away and knocked. “Coming!” He could hear yelling through the house. The front door swung open and there Willow stood, her short hair was now standing out in weird angles as if she had just woken up with bad bed hair. “Uh, hey Willow,” Braxton said nervously, rubbing at the back of his neck. Willow pulled him into a tight hug. “Braxton! I’m so glad to see you! I’ve wanted to talk to you but I’ve had no way of getting a hold of you. I tried calling but it said your number was out of service.” Braxton laughed nervously. “For some reason, my phone decided to randomly set itself on fire. No joke. Can we come in?” Willow quickly pulled back and made room for them to walk in.

At the doorway, Jennifer and Braxton removed their shoes. Willow usually liked keeping her floors cleaned so she would have her guests leave their shoes at the door. “Can I get you guys anything?” Braxton and Jennifer both shook their heads. “No, we’re good. We just went and got Jennifer some coffee.” Willow gave a sad smile. “I see. Was the trip fun at least?”

Jennifer looked down. “Braxton was telling me about how Hayleigh got obsessive and why he had to get a restraining order.” Willow shrugged her shoulders. “It was about time you knew anyway, I’m surprised we never told you but the stress was probably too much at the time that it slipped our minds to say anything.” Willow led them all to her back porch where she had three chairs around a yard table. She took a seat, and Braxton followed.

“Those were some crazy times,” Braxton said with a strained laugh. “I never thought things would happen this way.” He looked down at his hands. “So have they gotten any leads on who might have put Ashley’s body in your trunk?” Jennifer asked. Willow shook her head sadly. “No, they haven’t gotten anything. If they have then they sure haven’t told me. Even though my name has been cleared the townsfolk look at me differently and it makes me feel uncomfortable.” Braxton could see the pain in Willow’s eyes. Willow cared about everyone in town.

“It’s okay Willow,” He said. “They’ll catch the one behind this. They’ll pay for all of this.” He growled. He clenched his fist. He felt his hands starting to tingle, then they felt as if they were burning.

“Braxton, what’s going on with your hands?!” Willow shrieked. Braxton looked at his hands and there was a fire. ‘What in the hell?’ For some reason, he felt calm about it though, as if he already experienced this. Plus, it wasn’t burning him, so it should be safe, right?

“Don’t worry.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. ‘You can control this. Calm yourself and imagine the fire returning to you.’ A voice spoke in his head. He didn’t want to ask too many questions, so he did as he was told, and the fire was gone just like that.

“What WAS that?” Jennifer gasped. Braxton casually shrugged. “It was something. I’m just not sure what it is yet.” Willow was staring at his hands intensely. “That’s very interesting.” She mumbled to herself, but Braxton heard her.

“What’s interesting?” She looked him in the eyes and smirked. “I never thought it was true, but remember that guy who asked me about the original Ember City?” Braxton nodded. “I tried looking into it, but I couldn’t find anything, but I did find interesting stories about people who lived near here that could control certain elements. Back then there was more danger and more reason for those powers to be used. Over time there was less and less need for using those powers until it was rare for someone to harness the power of any of the elements. Braxton, I think that’s what you might be.”

Braxton shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t believe in that.” “You should. You are living proof of it.” She spoke, crossing her arms over her chest.

DING. DING. It was the doorbell. “Who could that be?” Willow questioned, getting up to head to her front door. “I’ll be right back.” She walked back into the house, Jennifer stared at Braxton with astonishment. “If what Willow says is true, you are extremely amazing Braxton!” Braxton blushed. “Thanks, Jennifer.”

Willow came back with a package in her hands. She placed it on the table and stared at it in confusion. “What’s wrong?” Jennifer asked. “I didn’t order anything, but I still got a package.” Willow sounded puzzled. “Open it anyways,” Braxton said his curiosity was getting the best of him. “Yeah, I’ll go ahead and do that.”

She opened up the package and frowned. Inside the package was a picture of the three of them from a few minutes before the package had been delivered, but Braxton noticed in the background a strange figure, and the picture came along with a note.

‘You are being watched. Play your next moves carefully. Come find me.’

Was all that it read. It wasn’t addressed to any specific body.

“Who is that for?” Jennifer whispered. Braxton gritted his teeth. “I think it’s for me.” They both looked at Braxton with bewildered expressions. “Why do you say that?” Willow question. “Because,” He started. “I got another note back at home from an unknown sender that also mentions coming to find them, but that I would find them when the time is right. It seems like I’m the one someone is after, so I need to get to the bottom of this.” His mind started racing, he was nervous and partly scared. What he thought was his once-normal life was turned upside down.

He went from having good friends to one dead, one who he had to have a restraining order against then disappears, one that was almost attempted for murder, as well as suddenly having fire coming from his hands. He couldn’t begin to understand what was happening to his once peaceful life. ‘Maybe this is what I get for wanting to have new experiences.’ He thought to himself.

Willow patted his back. I’m sure everything is going to be okay, don’t stress okay?” She tried giving a smile, but he could tell her smile was fake.

He spent a few hours at Willow’s place before he went back home with Jennifer. “I’m so glad that you two are talking again.” Braxton only shrugged. “I can’t hold it against her if it wasn’t her who killed Ashley. I just hate that this happened to her.” Jennifer stayed quiet.

After Jennifer left Braxton walked into his room and flopped down onto his bed. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. ‘How am I even supposed to find this person? I don’t even understand what’s going on, so what could they mean by being careful with my next moves?’ Thinking about it only gave him a headache, and he decided that he had enough of the day and went to bed.

He woke up with a raging headache the next morning. “My head is killing me…” He muttered, dragging himself out of bed and into the kitchen where they usually kept medicines. “It’s good to see you up so early.” Samuel appeared behind him, causing Braxton to jump. “Shit! Samuel, you scared me!” Samuel smirked. “Sorry bro, anyways, do you have any plans for the day?” Braxton raised an eyebrow at his brother. “Not exactly. Why?”

“I want to go driving with you. Are you okay with that?” Samuel already had keys in his hand, Braxton nodded. “Sure. When do you want to go?” “Now.” Braxton quickly took something for his headache, threw on his shoes, and followed Samuel out of the door to Samuel’s car. He got in the passenger side and looked at his brother. “So, where are we going?” He questioned. Samuel shrugged. “Going outside of town at least.”

They didn’t have to drive for long before they were right outside of town. Braxton looked around, only seeing the dense forest. No one usually left town or came into town from this direction. He could see that the woods stretched out for miles and miles ahead of them.

“Why are we coming this way?” Braxton eyed his brother suspiciously. “I wanted to talk to you alone.” He grew more suspicious. “We could have talked at home then.” Samuel shook his head. “No, the house is being watched. I don’t know who, but it’s enough to put me on edge.” “What do you mean the house is being watched?” Samuel tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “I keep seeing someone around the house. I’m not sure who, but I see them. I try to go after them but then I lose them. I’m not sure why they’re watching our house, but I feel like it’s unsafe at home.” Samuel bit his lip.

“So what did you want to talk about?” Braxton questioned. “That old man came by again while you were asleep. He desperately wanted to talk to you, but I told him I wasn’t going to wake you up and that he needed to leave before I called the cops.” He swallowed. “He told me that there was somewhere you needed to go, if you didn’t go soon it was going to come at a cost. I asked what he meant but he wouldn’t tell me.” A shiver was sent down his spine. “Is this why we’re going this way?” Samuel nodded. “He said there were some secrets that you had to find out about first. Then you would go through some kind of training. He wouldn’t explain further. I had the feeling that we should go for a drive and talk about this. Plus, it helps to calm my nerves.”

As they continued driving Braxton returned to staring out the window, when a figure caught his eye. On the side of the road was Khloe. Except she looked different compared to the past couple of times he saw her.

Blood was soaking the front of her dress, it looked like the blood was coming from her neck. He squinted his eyes to get a better look and saw that her neck had been sliced, but it wasn’t deep of a cut, just enough to cause her to bleed out.

The sight of her made him gasp, startling Samuel. “What's wrong with you Braxton!?” He shouted. Braxton rubbed his eyes and Khloe was gone. “I thought I saw something, sorry. I think we should head back home now.” Samuel agreed and turned around to head back to Ember.

Once home the brothers went their separate ways. Samuel went inside while Braxton went and grabbed his keys and left.

He had decided to drive by the Tate’s old house. He parked in front of the now-empty house and stared at it as if he was hoping to find some clues. Of course, he wasn’t that lucky, but he was allowed to hope. Time had passed and before he realized it, the sun was now setting. He had been staring at the house for hours without realizing it. ‘I should go home, see if anything has happened since I left.’ With that he left, hoping that tonight he could rest peacefully, but the image of Khloe from earlier that day was burned into his mind.

“Where were you?” Samuel questioned as he walked in the door. He sat in the living room with their mother eating dinner. They were watching some kind of crime documentary, which Braxton found ironic. “I was just out driving, I had a lot on my mind.”

“We saved you a plate, it’s in the microwave, why don’t you join us?” His mother spoke. They looked at each other and from the look in her eyes, he could tell there was something she was needing to tell him. Without a word he grabbed his food and took a seat in the living room.

“Someone came by the house today looking for you.” His mother said. He frowned. “Was it that old man again?” Samuel shook his head. “No.” There was silence. “Well… Did they say who they were and what they wanted?” He asked, breaking the sudden silence.

Braxton’s gaze met Samuel’s, waiting impatiently for an answer from someone. “She said her name was Amelia and she left her number.” Their mother finally spoke up, and she removed a slip of scrap paper from her pocket and handed it to Braxton. “She looked close to your age so I just assumed that she was a hookup that decided that she wanted strings attached.” Samuel smiled, trying to lift the mood. Braxton rolled his eyes while smiling. “A hookup? Really? You should know me better than that.” “Well she said she would appreciate it if you could give her a call as soon as possible, so try not to keep the girl waiting for too long.” Braxton nodded.

“Thank you, and thank you for dinner mom, but I’m going to finish eating in my room and call this Amelia chick.” Samuel was already handing him his phone. “You should get yourself a phone soon.” Braxton took the phone and picked up his plate. “I will.”

Once he was done eating he put his plate to the side and pulled out Samuel’s phone along with the scrap paper. He looked at the tidy handwritten numbers and dialed them. The phone rang for a few seconds before someone answered.

“Hello, this is Amelia Parker speaking.” She sounded young. He took in a deep breath before he spoke. “Uh, yes, this is Braxton Taylor. I just got home and was informed that you had come to my house looking for me.” There was a moment of silence before the woman spoke. “Yes, I did. I’m wanting to meet with you and ask you a few questions.” Braxton felt like his heart had stopped beating. “I’m sorry, but do I know you?” He worried if his fear was evident in his voice. “No, you don’t know me, but I’m one of the few detectives on Hayleigh Henderson’s case, along with her cousin Ashley.” Braxton swallowed.

“Why do you want to speak with me?” His voice was shaky. There was a pause. “We know that you have a history with Hayleigh, as well as that you were seeing Ashley before she died and that you were one of the last few to see her that night when she was still alive.” He felt sick to his stomach. Willow had told him that they might look into him, but he never thought it was going to happen. “I’ll be coming back by tomorrow around noon, does that work for you?” He nodded, forgetting that she couldn’t see the movement of his head. “Mr. Taylor?” “Ah, yes, sorry, that sounds fine. I’ll be here.” Before she could say another word, he already hung up and his heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest.

He took his plate to the kitchen then returned his phone to Samuel, brushed his teeth, and jumped in bed. He tossed and turned all night, before he knew it morning was already there. He paced around the house, trying to find little things to keep him distracted before this Amelia woman arrived.

Noon finally came around, and just like she said, Amelia arrived at his house right on time. Braxton went outside to meet her.

Samuel hadn’t been lying when he said that she looked to be around his age. Her face was young but sharp. Her eyes were grey, which took Braxton by surprise. She stood a few inches under him. Braxton eyed her up and down, and noticed that she had a bit of chub on her.

“Are you Braxton?” She asked as she approached him. “Yes ma’am, I am.” He held out his hand and they shook hands. “Amelia. Are you wanting to talk out here or inside?” Braxton thought for a moment. “I think out here. My brother and mother are home currently and I wouldn’t want them to overhear us.” She nodded as she pulled out a pad and pen. “Then is it alright with you if I start?” “Sure, go ahead.”

“What was your relationship with Hayleigh?” “Friends.” “Nothing more happened between the two of you?” He shook his head. “No ma’am.” “We see that you have a restraining order against her, why is that?” He rubbed at his neck. “Hayleigh had feelings for me and I rejected her. She started spreading rumors that we were dating and she started stalking me, and when I confronted her at school about it with a friend she lunged at my friend with a pocket knife.” Amelia was writing everything down, she paused only once to tuck her blue-dyed hair behind her ear.

“Did you have any feelings or thoughts about wanting to harm Hayleigh for doing that?” The question took Braxton by surprise. “What? No! Of course not!” “Where were you the day Hayleigh went missing?” ‘Shit!’ “I woke up, I went over to my friend Willow’s house for a few hours. After I left I noticed that I needed to get some gas. I was also hungry, so I stopped by a gas station and got some gas along with a few snacks then I came straight home and lounged around for the rest of the day.” ‘And I ran into Hayleigh, but she doesn’t need to know that.’ He thought to himself. She was quickly writing down his responses.

“On to Ashley then. How would you describe your relationship with her?” “Well, we knew each other from years ago before she moved. We were somewhat friends back then. When she moved away I sort of forgot about her until I had gone out with Willow and we ran into her out in public.” Amelia signaled for him to go on. “She needed a ride home, so I took her home. We chatted on the way there, we were just catching up with one another. When we got there she asked if I wanted to hang out again, and that’s what happened. I realized I liked her, and we went out on a date. The night she went missing was the night we went on our date. I dropped her off at home, she admitted that she had always liked me, and we kissed, then she went inside and I went home. That was the last time I had seen her.” Amelia only stared at him, which led to him blushing from embarrassment. “Can you please not stare at me so intensely?”

Amelia looked off to the side. “Sorry, I tend to do that to people.” “How old are you anyway? You look kind of young to be doing this kind of thing.” He blurted out, not having thought about how rude he sounded. His question took her by surprise. “I’m twenty-three, I’ve been doing this for almost a year now. I’m getting more experience under my belt, plus, these cases are kind of personal to me.” Before he could ask her anything else, her phone was ringing. “Hold on one second.”

He looked off to the side, trying to distract himself from listening to her on the phone. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of someone standing there, watching. They wore a black hoodie and black jeans, the hood overshadowing their face. “Sorry about that,” Amelia spoke, causing Braxton to look back at her.

“Is everything alright? You look kind of pale.” Braxton looked back at where he saw the person standing, but they were already gone.

“No, I’m fine. Is there anything else you need to ask?” Amelia shook her head. “For right now, no. I will be back to speak to you some other time though. Is there a good number I could reach you at?” Braxton shook his head. “No, I’m sorry. Recently my phone broke and I haven’t gone and got a new one yet. However, you can call the number I called you from and my brother will let you know you called so I can return your call.” Amelia nodded. “Thank you for speaking with me Braxton.” “Anytime.” With that, she got into her car and left.

He let out a sigh of relief as he walked back into the house. “How’d it go?” Samuel was at the door like he had been waiting the whole time for Braxton to come in. “She’s a detective working on Hayleigh’s and Ashley’s case. She was asking me a few questions and that was it.” Samuel frowned. “Why are they just now questioning you about Hayleigh?” Braxton shrugged. “I was told that Mrs. Henderson had told the police about me and Ashley and my previous ties to Hayleigh, so they probably wanted to ask me some questions to make her happy. You know that their family has a lot of money to get whatever they want to be done.” Samuel groaned in frustration. “I wish they would just leave town already.” Braxton chuckled. “If anything I wish I could leave town already, and put all of this behind me.” Samuel frowned at this. “Why do you want to leave? Growing up you talked a lot about wanting to leave Ember, even though it’s a good place to live.”

Braxton felt guilty. “I just want to get away from everything I know, I want to travel and see the world, I don’t want to be tied down to a place like this where nothing ever happens.” Samuel looked sad. “I see.”

“I’m going out, so I’ll see you later, okay?” Samuel grunted and Braxton left.

He went back down the way he went with Samuel the other day. He remembered exactly where he had seen Khloe. Once there he noticed there was a small area that he could pull off at that he didn’t notice before. He pulled off to the side, turning the car off and getting out. He walked to the edge of the trees and looked in. The trees were growing so close together, but when he got up close to them like this he could make out a walking path. This walking path looked like it was somewhat still being taken care of while everything else was growing wildly.

‘It doesn’t hurt to explore.’ He stepped into the trees and onto the path. He walked the path for roughly ten minutes before the trees started to spread out a bit, then eventually came to a small clearing. In this clearing were buildings that were collapsing on themselves.

Braxton continued walking, glancing at the buildings as he did so. Very few of them remained fully intact but the closer he looked, the more he realized how familiar the buildings looked, just way older versions of the ones that he normally saw.

His walk through the place was short, there was no sign of human life in this area. Which would explain why everything was in ruins. “What is this place?” He asked aloud. He looked around some more and noticed what looked like a missing person’s poster in the window of one of the remaining intact buildings. He walked up to the building to examine the poster, only to step back in shock. “NO FUCKING WAY!” He yelled at the top of his lungs.

On the poster was a picture of a girl, she looked to be about the age of seven. The poster was very worn out and faded, but what caught Braxton’s attention was the location that was said to be where she went missing from.

Ember City. 1985.

The current year was 2045. This was at least 60 years ago, but his Ember city hadn’t been built until 1990, five years after this poster was dated.

“There’s no way. My hometown should be the only Ember City.” He frowned. “I need to look around some more and see if I can figure out what the hell is going on.”