In front of Logan’s house, Logan and Leo stopped and chatted for a while. They took a taxi to the place to get there fast, despite Logan trying to convince Leo to use his super speed. The latter disagreed due to various reasons, one of which included the fact that he was slightly weak. Also, his speed doesn’t go beyond the maximum speed a car can travel.
“So... what are you gonna do after now?” Logan inquired. Leo scratched his head and thought about it.
“Well... today’s already gone. And there are still a few little things I need to take care of.” He replied. Logan folded his arms and smirked.
“Well, you go do you.” He said and extended his fist, “I’ll handle things over here.” Leo smiled and extended his fist to collide with Logan’s and they bump fists.
“Goodnight bro. See you tomorrow.” Leo bid his friend farewell before turning in the other direction and walking away.
“Goodnight, Leo.” Logan waved as he watched his friend depart while waving his hand. After a few seconds, he walked up to the front door of his house. He took a deep breath and gathered the courage to knock on the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
He knocked. He didn’t have to wait long before his mother opened up for him. Logan’s lips curled up slightly when he saw his mother’s face. Her eyes were a little red and there were signs of her crying. Her face was slightly pale and her expression was that of shock. Logan gave her a relieved smile before speaking.
“I’m home mom.” He uttered. He was expecting a hug from his mother and fantasized about it. However, the next thing that happened really shocked him and knocked him out of his ridiculous fantasies. Without a hint of warning, Logan felt a large palm hit the left side of his face. It happened in an instant that even after the slap, he was still stunned. He touched his cheek as he felt the pain. There was a red outline of a hand on his face.
“He closed his eyes and suppressed his anger before turning to face his mom. The lady frowned and her eyes were on the brink of bursting into tears again. Logan was slightly annoyed but he didn’t want it to get to him. ‘You have no idea what I’ve been through today. And what I get is a slap in the face?! Great!’ He thought in annoyance. Suddenly, his mother did something that surprised him too.
“You have no idea how much I was worried about you. Don’t ever do that again boy. Don’t...” Mrs. Martin, Logan’s mother warned as she hugged her son tightly and cried. Logan’s angry heart slowly warmed up. His frown turned into a smile and he hugged his mother too.
“Sorry for making you worry too much, mum.” He said with a gentle voice. Mrs. Martin looked at her son and she sized him up.
“I heard that you and Leo went to the hospital. Why did you go there?” She inquired. Logan’s expression froze and he began to think of excuses he could make. He gave an embarrassing laugh as he scratched his head and racked his brain to come up with a lie... or a truthful lie that seemed like it. His mother kept looking at him with confusion written all over her face. Her arms were still wrapped around his back and she looked like a wife interrogating her husband.
Just at that moment, a gray-colored Rav-4 stopped in front of their house. A man got down from the car, with a bag in his hand. He wore a blue long sleeve with tiny yellow patterns on it, a pair of black trousers, and a golden silver wristwatch to complete the dressing. His hair was pitch black and his face was diamond-shaped. His hair was well-stylized and his silver eyes shined brightly. It gave one the feeling that it was glowing, although it wasn’t.

The man locked his car and walked towards his house, only to find his wife and eighteen-year-old son standing in front of the door. Although he was confused, Mr. Martin wore a smile and questioned them.
“Honey, what’s going on? Have you been crying?” He asked his wife like the caring husband he was before facing Logan, “and you... what happened to you? We heard you were in the hospital but we didn’t know which one.” He asked. Now Logan just got really nervous. Facing his mom was one thing, adding his dad into the equation was like adding fuel to an already unquenchable fire.
He gulped hard before opening his mouth to explain.
“Well eh... you see... I just happened to have a very painful stomachache. It was so painful that I vomited blood.” He lied. His mother gasped and covered her mouth in shock. Mr. Martin wore a worried expression on his face.
“Oh my God. How is that possible?” His mother worriedly questioned as she touched Logan’s stomach and tried to see if he still felt pain in the part.
“It’s fine mom. I’m fine now. Once I got to the hospital and the doctor did his checkup on me, he diagnosed that it was due to food poisoning and my body rejected it the moment I puked.” He lied even further.
“Oh...” his father said before stroking his chin as he pondered, “But who could’ve tried to poison you?” He asked. Logan shrugged.
“I don’t know. I barely relate with people and I don’t have enemies.” He said. His mother grabbed his face as she was still worried.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” She asked.
“Yeah, I am. The doctor said that all I just need is some rest.” He lied again just to escape his parent’s interrogation. Lucky for him, they bought his lies.
*****************
Hands in his pocket and an unamusing expression on his face, Leo walked up to Dr. Cartel’s office. He was supposed to use the elevator, but he chose not to. He needed time to think before he got to that office. He could hear every step he took but failed to notice it. In his mind, Logan’s words replayed and it bothered him.
“A new being huh?” He muttered as he walked up the stairs. His brain was thinking of what would happen if Dr. Cartel was to conduct his tests on him. Would he lose control? If he did, what would he do? These questions haunted him and he felt so much pressure on him.
“I have the power to take thousands of innocent lives without thinking twice. At the same time... I can save them.” He muttered continuously. The stairs were so quiet that only his footsteps could be heard. This gave him the freedom to think without being disturbed.
“The Crimson Phoenix... yet... a dragon.” He thought. “One destroys... the other heals?” He kept muttering to himself. He was so lost in thoughts that he didn’t know when he walked past the door that led to the doctor’s office. After walking to the rooftop, he finally realized it and he turned back. He opened the door which led to a hallway. In the hallway, Dr. Cartel’s office was among the doors he could see. Leo sighed and walked towards the doctor’s office.
“I am Fire. I hold the power of life... as well as death.”