THREE

The blaring alarm jolted Cho awake. She scrambled out of bed and grabbed her phone—8:00 a.m. With a quick tap, she silenced the noise, then swung her legs over the bed and headed for the bathroom. But halfway there, a name flashed in her mind.

Dominic.

Her heart skipped. She turned on her heel and rushed to his room.

Empty.

She hurried downstairs, searching every corner of the house. The kitchen. The living room. The back patio.

Nothing.

Her breath caught in her throat. "So he hasn't been back since last night??"

Fumbling with her phone, she checked for any sign of him—calls, texts, even missed notifications. Not one.

Anxiety curled in her chest like smoke. "No, he's fine,-" she told herself, trying to breathe. "But this isn't like him... Should I report him missing?"

She did the math in her head. "It hasn't been twenty-four hours..."

Pacing now, back and forth, she whispered under her breath, "What do I do? What do I do?"

Then, as if a light flicked on in her mind, she thought of the one person who might be able to help. She found his number and tapped "Call."

It rang once.

Twice.

He picked up. "Cho?"

"Hey urm, morning Logan,-"

"Morning,- Didn't expect to get a call from you this early,-"

"Yeah, sorry,- Did I disturb you or something?"

"No, not at all. What can I help you with?"

"It's rum, it's about my uncle,- He hasn't been home since last night,-"

"What?"

"Yes,- He didn't text me or call me and didn't even answer or return any of mine,-" Her voice started breaking. "I, I want to report him missing, but it hasn't been 24 hours, so I really don't know what to do,-"

"Ok, I got it,- Stay calm,- I'll come to your place now and we'll figure something out,-"

"O, okay,- Thanks Logan,-"

"No problem,- I'll see you in a bit,-"

Logan hung up. And within twenty minutes, he arrived.

"We're gonna go to the station and try to track his phone first ok?"

Cho nodded nervously.

WESTFIELD POLICE STATION

"Morning Logan,-" greeted Sean.

"Morning,-" replied Logan.

**Sean Dawson (25)

- One of Logan's teammates who often acts as Logan's right-hand man. A young man with soft features and a gentle demeanor. Has medium-length dark brown hair, slightly tousled, framing his face naturally and his eyes are in deep green color.

- His gaze exudes warmth, has a casual, approachable charm, and the type of person others feel at ease with but slightly introspective or reserved. **

"Aren't you on leave today?" asked Sean.

Cho gave him a guilty look. Spotted it, Logan mouthed 'It's ok,-' and glanced back at Sean. "Something came up,- Is Dan in his office?"

"Yupp,-" He turned to Cho. "Hey, we meet again,-"

Cho gave him a soft smile.

"Let's go,-"

Logan took her to the office located at the corner of the passageway. Knocked a few times, they made their way in. A guy around mid twenties behind the desk looked up. At the sight of Logan, he managed his biggest smile.

"Morning Logan!"

** Daniel Grayson (24)

- Act as the 'guy in the chair' in Logan's team but often joins out in the field whenever necessary. A young man with refined and intellectual look with a striking light brown eyes. His dark red hair is slightly parted and wearing round glasses with a thin frame, adding to his scholarly appearance.

- He has a calm and confident expression with a slight, relaxed smile. Intelligent, self-assured without being overbearing and the type who enjoys helping others. **

Logan smiled back. "Morning,- You're busy?"

"Nope,-" He glanced over Cho. "And who's this lovely girl?"

"This is Cho, and we need your help with something,-"

"Ok, shoot,-"

Logan put Dominic's number on his phone's screen and handed it to him. "I need you to track down a cell phone,-"

Daniel took it. "Sure, no problem,- Have a seat first,- It's gonna take a while,-"

They both settled into the armchairs across from the desk. As Daniel began his tracking, Logan cast a quick glance at Cho. She looked pale, her hands trembling slightly in her lap. He reached over and placed his right hand gently over hers, offering a soft, reassuring pat. Cho looked up at him, their eyes meeting. He mouthed, "He'll be fine." A faint smile tugged at her lips in response, small but grateful.

Daniel was done a few minutes later. "Got it,-"

He swiveled his screen monitor overlooking them. There's a red mark on one of the spots on the map.

"Hensenberg Factory?" Logan raised his eyebrows.

"Yupp,- The abandoned one,-"

HENSENBERG FACTORY

Logan parked the car a short distance from the factory entrance.

"You stay here. I'll go check inside—"

"I'll come with you—"

"No," he interrupted gently but firmly. "It might be dangerous. Just stay here, alright? Lock the doors. And if you hear gunshots, press the red button on the walkie-talkie—here." He pointed to it, making sure she understood.

"But—" Her protest faded as her eyes met his. There was a quiet intensity in his gaze, laced with concern.

"Okay," she murmured. "Be careful."

Logan gave a quick nod before stepping out. He moved swiftly toward the factory, his right hand hovering over the holster at his hip. As soon as he slipped inside, he drew his gun, his eyes scanning the shadows and the layers of dust clinging to long-abandoned machinery.

"Dominic??" he called out. "Are you here??"

Only silence replied.

Reaching into his pocket, Logan pulled out his phone and redialed Dominic's number. A familiar ringtone echoed faintly from the far side of the factory.

He rushed toward the sound.

There, lying on the dusty floor, was Dominic's phone. Logan crouched down, slipped on a glove, and carefully picked it up. The screen was cracked, jagged lines stretching across the surface. He turned it over in his hand, then glanced around again.

"Dominic?" he called once more.

No answer.

After one final sweep through the factory, Logan headed back to the car.

"No sign of him, just his phone,-" he said grimly. " I'll send it to the lab to see if there's any other fingerprint besides your uncle's on it,-"

WESTFIELD POLICE STATION

"Wait here,-"

Logan disappeared behind the lab door, leaving Cho alone in the hallway. She sank onto the bench against the wall, her hands beginning to tremble again. Moments later, her phone buzzed in her hand. An unknown number lit up the screen.

She hesitated, then answered. "Hello?"

"Hey, Cho—"

"Aunt Eva?"

"Why do you sound off? Are you okay?" her aunt asked, concern evident in her voice.

"Yes, I'm fine," Cho replied quickly. "I just catch a cold,-"

"Is it bad?"

"No, don't worry."

"…Okay," Eva said, though the hesitation in her voice lingered.

For a brief moment, Cho considered telling her everything—asking for help, leaning on her aunt's support. But Dominic's warning echoed in her mind:

"Because of Eva's job, we have to be careful about putting her out in public, or even meeting her face-to-face. It's risky for both sides."

He never told Cho what her job was and that secrecy had always stirred quiet questions. Still, she had learned to trust her uncle's judgment—he never made decisions without a reason, even if he kept those reasons to himself.

"Cho?"

She slightly jolted. "Yes?"

"Are you really ok? I'm worried,-"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine,- I just felt a bit drowsy from the medicine,- Think I'm gonna get some sleep,-"

"Yeah, yeah you do that,- That'll be the best,- I'll call you another time alright?"

"Alright,-"

"Take care Cho,-"

"You too,-"

As soon as Eva hung up, Logan returned with a document.

"There's another fingerprint on it,-" He handed it to her. "Hugh Jordan,-"

Cho took it. "Hugh Jordan?" She read the details written in it.

"Yeah,- Does it ring any bell?"

Cho shook her head. "Never heard of him,-" She looked up. "But you can get him in for questioning right?"

"Unfortunately, I can't because your uncle hasn't reported as a missing person which can only be done by tomorrow, so,-"

"So we have to wait,-"

Logan nodded regrettably. "I'm sorry,-"

"No don't be,-" She handed him back the document. "You've done enough, so, thank you,-" She stood. "Guess I'll just go home then,-"

"I'll drive you,-"

"No I, I think I need some time alone to calm myself down,-"

Logan fell silent. The disappointed look upon her face somehow was breaking his heart.

"I'll see you tomorrow,-" She gave him an appreciative smile. "Thanks again for today Logan,-"

And without any other words, Cho left.

VALENTINE RESIDENCE

Scrolling down the photos of her and Dominic one by one on her phone, Cho smiled.

"I know you'll stay safe for me,-" She now reached the recent photos. "So I'll stay strong for you,-"

Cho laid herself on the bed. The long walk home from the station really does help her calm herself down. Landed her view upon the ceiling, her mind wandered to the name mentioned by Logan.

"Hugh Jordan,-" Frowned while squinting her eyes, she tried to search for the name somewhere inside her head. But she got nothing. "Guess I just never heard of him,-"

A sudden, deafening bang echoed through the house. Cho jolted upright in bed, heart leaping.

"Search the entire house!" a voice barked from downstairs.

Gasping, Cho scrambled backward, retreating toward her closet.

"Make sure you find it!"

Hurried footsteps thundered through the halls, then faded, one by one. All except one. Someone remained, standing just outside her room.

Cho slipped into the closet and shut the door behind her, pressing herself into the darkness. She held her breath.

Seconds later, her bedroom door slammed open.

Peering through the small holes where the closet handle used to be, Cho caught sight of a tall, slender figure entering the room. She tried to focus on his face—but something else began to bleed into her vision.

A man engulfed in flames. Screaming. Burning.

The image flickered violently over the stranger's face like a cruel illusion.

"No…" she whispered, clutching the sides of her head. "No, no, no—" She rubbed her eyes desperately, but the vision refused to fade. "Please... not now—"

Her heartbeat, already frantic, soared to a terrifying speed. Her chest rose and fell in quick, shallow bursts as hyperventilation took over.

"Please stop—please—"

She opened her eyes—and froze. The man was just inches from the closet door. His hand reached for it. Then suddenly, another figure burst into the room. In one swift motion, he tackled the intruder, dragging him out in a struggle. The sound of bodies hitting walls echoed down the hallway. Moments later, footsteps returned—and the closet door slowly creaked open.

It was Logan.

"Cho—" he breathed, his voice soft but urgent. He stilled, eyes widening at the sight of her pale face, drenched in fear. "Breathe Cho, breath,-"

Cho sucked in a shaky breath. Then another. She forced herself to focus on the light gray eyes in front of her—steady, grounding, familiar. Slowly, the nightmarish vision began to melt away.

"That's good,-" Logan said gently. "You're doing great,-"

Outside the room, a faint rustling echoed. Logan glanced toward it. "It's just my team, don't worry. Keep breathing."

Little by little, Cho's heart rate slowed. The tension in her chest began to ease, and after a few moments, her voice finally returned.

"How… how are you here?"

"I'll tell you later,-" he said, stepping closer. "Arms around my neck."

Cho obeyed. Logan gently lifted her into his arms, holding her with a quiet strength as he carried her away from the nightmare.

EPILOGUE

Logan watched Cho leaving the police precinct. Once she was out of sight, he jolted upon a nudge on his elbow.

"Go with her if you're worried,-" said Sean.

"Am I that see through?" asked Logan.

"Well, usually not, but this time, even the lady in the coffee shop across the street can see it,-" teased him.

Logan grinned. "I don't know why but I kind of feel,- What's the word,-"

"Attached?" he guessed.

Logan snapped his fingers. "Yes, that,- Ever since I saw her crying,-"

"Cry?" asked Sean.

"I was actually at the scene until the ambulance arrived,- I left once I saw your patrol car coming from the distant,-"

Sean raised his eyebrows. "So you're the guy who helped her?"

"She told you about me?"

"Yes,- She said a guy helped her but she couldn't remember his face,- Nevertheless, I do see the concern in your eyes, so, go,-"

Nodded, Logan took off.