In Memory Life Ashton felt his pulse pounding in his ears as he held onto Veronica. This felt surreal. He was holding my sister right in my arms. It felt like a dream he couldn't fathom. The wind from the helicopter's blades whipped around them, but for a moment, all he could focus on was the sister he thought he’d lost forever.A sister he never even knew he had until a few video clips ago. “I never thought I'd see you again," she purred and held onto him tightly. Ashton knew that she was crying as he could hear the hiccups as she held onto him. Then, Rovan’s firm voice cut through the moment. “We need to go,” she smiled, "Enough of the lovey dovey, we need to leave, now.”Ashton swallowed down the storm of emotions threatening to consume him and gave a sharp nod. He pulled back from Veronica, studying her face. She looked the same as she had in the pictures he had seen, the same soft brown eyes, same strong tilt to her jaw. But there was something different about her now. T

Unlocking the ShadowsThe tent was tattered. Its fabric flapped lazily in the wind, the faded colors doing little to inspire confidence. Ashton looked around, his brow furrowed. The inside was dim, lit only by a few flickering lamps hung from crooked hooks. Dust floated in the stale air, and the scent of old herbs and engine oil filled his nose. It didn’t look like a place where any real medical or psychological breakthrough could happen.“This is the place?” Ashton asked, glancing over at Veronica.She nodded slowly, a soft smile on her lips. “I know it doesn’t look like much. But trust me, this man helped me remember everything. Without him, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have found you.”Ashton crossed his arms. “You sure he’s not just another charlatan? This doesn’t exactly scream ‘professional.’”Veronica stepped closer and touched his arm gently. “I know how it looks. I had the same doubts. But when I started getting flashes, those strange dreams, broken memories, I thought I w

The Boogeyman Some men find their lives on the right track. Others have to find their own path through life. This was the case of the one known as the Boogeyman. Rain hissed off the black armored truck as it pulled into the glowing heart of the city. The engine purred like a restrained beast, barely audible over the hum of neon signs and the distant thrum of nightlife. The door opened, and out stepped a man whose presence demanded silence wherever he went. They called him Scorpion.Draped in sleek, matte-black armor that gleamed beneath the streetlights, his face hidden behind a helmet with a red-tinted visor, Scorpion looked like something born of shadow and vengeance. “Nothing like the rain to set the mood," he smirked cruelly as he stepped down. He took a slow glance around, reading every motion, every sound. He had to be in charge of his surroundings and be sure everything was just as he wanted. Then, his gloved hand raised, tapping a button on his ear comm. A female voic

A Scorpion's Sting “Run!" Rovan hollered again and most of the patrons rushed out of the cafe. The glasses were raining down and shards flew all around. Ashton saw a little boy standing by the door of the restroom, lost, confused. “Head out to the exit, now!" Rovan instructed him and Veronica but there was no way he was leaving that boy there. At once, he ran after the little boy. Rovan looked at him, confused. What was he doing? Couldn't he see the danger? “Ashton! What are you doing?" She called out but he was already by the doorway of the room and he grabbed the little boy. “I want my mummy!" The boy cried out. “Shhh…you'll find your mummy. First, I want you to tell me your name." His little lips wobbled as he replied, “Zion," and then began to cry. “Good, I need you to show me where your mummy is and I'll take you right to her, okay?" Zion nodded and began looking around. He found his mother standing by the exit of the cafe, panicked, begging everyone to find her son.

Blood LiesHis children? Ashton froze. What was the old man talking about? He looked back at Frederick, some form of answer. But Frederick had turned pale.“Why are you looking so shocked, Freddy?" The man asked, smirking, “seen a ghost?"“You,” Frederick breathed, staggering back a step. “You’re supposed to be dead.”The stranger’s eyes remained on him. “Not dead, your men didn't do a good job,” he showed his teeth. Ashton couldn't breathe. Did Frederick send an assassin on him? He knew his father was dangerous alright. But what was the old man talking about? And why did he look like a hunter back to end Frederick? “I never forgot you, Frederick. Or what you did.” he stated coldly. Ashton blinked, turning to Veronica. “Do you know him?”She shook her head, her hand brushing his arm lightly. She was trembling in confusion and fear. For goodness sake, they were sandwiched between two cars with guns pointed in their face. “Move away from that madman!" Frederick said to Ashton.