Ch: 25 & 26 [Gordon]

Travis and Sarah continued to observe the scene, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The apparent brutality of the incident and the eerie details surrounding the victims' deaths left them both with a sense of unease.

As the police officers and paramedics worked diligently to secure the scene and gather evidence, Travis and Sarah decided it was best to step back from the crowd. The conversation they had overheard among the onlookers only added to their concerns, hinting at a level of violence and cruelty that was deeply unsettling.

"We should probably head back home," Travis suggested, his voice low as he glanced around.

Sarah nodded in agreement, her expression somber. "Yeah, there's not much we can do here. Let's hope the authorities can figure out what happened."

They turned away from the scene, their steps leading them back in the direction of Travis's house. Max followed closely, his senses still on high alert.

As they walked, Travis couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled within him. The incident was reminiscent of the kind of chaos and violence he had encountered in the alternate world, and the possibility that something similar was happening in this world was deeply unsettling.

Once they reached Travis's house, they noticed a police car in front of his house.

"Shit!" Travis mumbled.

"What?" Sarah asked.

"I forgot to put the grave back in order after I got out," He could hear their conversation with his parents. "We can't let them know I came back to life."

Travis quickly guided Sarah and Max toward a nearby alley, positioning himself so he could observe without being easily seen. He knew that the situation was delicate and that any sudden appearance could complicate matters further.

From his vantage point, he could see the police officer speaking with his parents on the front porch. His heart pounded in his chest as he strained to listen to their conversation.

The officer, a middle-aged man with a stern expression, spoke with a professional demeanor. "I understand this must be distressing for you, but we need to gather as much information as possible. Can you tell me when you last visited your son's grave?"

Travis's mom, her face etched with concern, replied, "It's been a few days. We visit regularly to pay our respects."

His dad, his expression a mix of frustration and worry, added, "We were shocked to find that the grave had been disturbed. Whoever did this, they have no respect for the deceased."

The officer nodded, taking notes in a small notebook. "We're treating this as a case of grave robbery. It's unfortunate, but it's not uncommon for such incidents to occur. Sometimes, it's individuals looking for valuable items left with the deceased."

Travis's mom's voice trembled slightly as she said, "But what would anyone find valuable in a grave? Our son was buried with his personal belongings, things that mattered to him."

The officer glanced up from his notes, his gaze sympathetic. "I understand how difficult this must be for you. We'll do our best to investigate and recover any stolen items."

"Thank you, officer," His mom said, wiping her eyes.

Once the police officer left and Travis and Sarah were certain it was safe, they made their way back inside the house. Travis's parents were in the living room, their expressions a mix of worry and frustration.

"Hey," Travis said softly, stepping into the room with Sarah and Max behind him.

His parents turned toward him, a mixture of surprise and relief crossing their faces. His mom was the first to speak, her voice wavering with emotion. "Travis, you're back."

"We got a problem," His dad said.

"Yeah, I know. I should have fixed the grave before moving. It's going to be difficult to move around with his face. So I need a new identity," Travis said after thinking for a moment.

"Well, there is someone in Metropolis who should be able to take care of that," His dad said with an awkward smile, "But..."

"But..."

His dad hesitated for a moment. He pulled Travis to the corner of the room and whispered in his ears, "Her name is Alison, and she is kinda let's say eccentric and charges certain things for certain jobs. So, it's better if you go alone."

"Is she some kind of mafia?" I asked.

"No, no... Not mafia. Well, she is a..." He hesitated for a moment.

"Come on, say it," Travis said.

"Oh, well, what the heck... She is a nymphomaniac," His father said with a sigh.

Travis couldn't help but burst into laughter at his father's candid admission. The unexpected revelation about Alison's unique personality traits caught him off guard.

"A nymphomaniac? Seriously?" He chuckled, shaking his head.

His dad shrugged, a sheepish smile on his face. "Yeah, I know it's weird, but she's good at what she does. Just... be prepared for her advances. And make sure you're ready to pay the price she asks. You know what I mean, right? God, I am the worst dad in the world..."

Travis exchanged a bemused glance with Sarah, who sitting with his mother a short distance away. She raised an eyebrow at him, her expression a mix of amusement and curiosity.

"How do you know? Don't tell me you did it with her..." He whispered.

"Whoa, slow down," His dad chuckled, holding up his hands in a gesture of innocence. "She is your aunt. She ran away from home when she was young, so you might not remember her much. She was the one who paid our debts back then. Anyway, your mom will kill me if she finds out I am sending you to her. So, keep it down and do whatever you want, I don't want to know the details."

Travis couldn't help but laugh even harder at his dad's explanation. The mix of embarrassment, candidness, and concern in his father's words was both amusing and endearing. He nodded, still chuckling, and patted his dad on the shoulder.

"Alright, I'll handle it. Thanks for the heads up," He replied, trying to suppress his laughter.

His dad let out a relieved sigh. "Good. And remember, don't share this with your mother or Sarah. They will never let us live it down."

He grinned and nodded again. "Don't worry, Dad. Your secret's safe with me."

As they rejoined Sarah and Travis's mom in the living room, Travis's mind was still filled with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. He couldn't have predicted that his quest for a new identity would lead him to such a unique character.

"So, what did you two talk about?" His mom asked with a suspicious glance at his dad.

Travis exchanged a knowing glance with his dad, a playful smile on his lips. "Oh, just some... father-son advice, Mom."

His dad chimed in with a chuckle, "You know, man-to-man stuff."

His mom raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Uh-huh, and what kind of 'man-to-man stuff' are we talking about here?"

Travis leaned in, his tone exaggeratedly serious. "You know, the usual—life advice, career choices, and... how to deal with certain, uh, unique individuals."

Sarah couldn't hold back a snicker, and even Travis's mom couldn't help but smile. "I see," his mom replied, her voice tinged with amusement. "Well, just make sure it's the right kind of advice."

His dad nodded, a mock-serious expression on his face. "Of course, dear. You know me, always giving the best advice."

Travis burst into laughter, unable to hold back any longer. The banter between his parents was both endearing and hilarious, and it lightened the mood considerably after the serious events of the day.

The bell on the front door startled everyone in the room. Travis's dad quickly got up to answer it, while Travis, Sarah, and his mom exchanged curious glances. Who could be at the door, especially at a time like this?

He opened the door to reveal a man in a police uniform standing on the doorstep. The man had a sturdy build and a stern yet tired expression. His hair was graying at the temples, a testament to the stress that came with his position.

"Jim?" He said, "You look like a mess. Come on in."

Gordon entered the house with a nod of gratitude. "Thanks, Andrew. It's been a long day. You know how it is."

"Tell me about it," Andrew replied, leading Gordon into the living room where the rest of the family was gathered.

Travis's mom and Sarah exchanged a glance, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected visit. Gordon was a familiar face, known to them as a long-time family friend and a respected police officer. He had been a part of many of their family gatherings over the years.

Travis used his super speed to dash into his room to avoid any unnecessary troubles. He can't let him see his face.

Gordon entered the living room, his tired gaze meeting those of Travis's mom and Sarah. His presence brought a sense of authority and seriousness to the room, immediately shifting the atmosphere.

Travis's dad greeted him with a handshake. "It's about that murder, isn't it?"

"Yeah, Andrew. Last night we found three dead bodies in the construction area, shot dead, and now six more dead bodies with exploded chests," Gordon replied, his tone somber.

Andrew exchanged a concerned glance with his wife. "That's... horrifying. What kind of person could commit such acts?"

Gordon sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "We're still trying to piece it all together. It's not every day we come across something like this. The brutality of it is... unsettling."

Travis's mom spoke up, her voice laced with worry. "Is there any lead? Anything that could help you find who's responsible?"

Gordon's expression grew grim. "Right now, we're working on gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. But it's a complex situation. There's no clear motive, and the pattern of these killings is... disturbing."

'So, they found the goons I killed at the construction site,' Travis thought.

"It's not another one of those cult, is it?" Sarah asked.

Gordon sighed, his fatigue evident in his voice. "We can't rule out anything at this point, but it's certainly a possibility we're considering. The level of violence and the apparent lack of motive suggest that this could be more than just a random act."

Andrew leaned forward, his expression serious. "Do you think the city is in danger?"

Gordon hesitated for a moment before answering. "I won't deny that this situation is concerning. We're putting all available resources into investigating these cases and ensuring the safety of the citizens. But until we have more information, it's hard to say for sure."

Travis's mom glanced at her husband and Sarah, her concern evident in her eyes. "What can we do to help?"

Gordon offered a small, appreciative smile. "Right now, the best thing everyone can do is to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. We're doing our best to get to the bottom of this, and any information from the community could be crucial."

The atmosphere in the room was heavy with the weight of the conversation. The mention of multiple deaths and the apparent brutality of the crimes had cast a shadow over the household, leaving everyone on edge.

"Oh, by the way, Lara, can you fill this up with coffee?" Gordon said, handing Travis's mom a thermos he had brought with him. "I've been running around all night, and I could really use a caffeine boost."

"Of course," Lara replied with a nod, grateful for the opportunity to do something tangible amidst the uncertainty. She headed toward the kitchen to fill the thermos with coffee.

Gordon turned his attention to Travis's dad. "Andrew, do you mind if we step outside for a moment? There are a few more things I'd like to discuss."

"Sure thing," Andrew agreed, standing up from the couch. He exchanged a quick glance with his family before following Gordon out of the house.

[Outside]

"That's not all, is it?" Andrew asked.

Gordon's weary expression remained as he glanced at Andrew. "No, it's not. I'm here as a friend as well as a police officer. I trust you, Andrew, and I need to talk to you about something off the record."

Andrew's brows furrowed in concern. "What is it, Jim? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Gordon took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "It's about Travis."

Andrew's eyes widened in surprise. "Travis? What about him?"

He hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "There have been... unusual reports. Sightings, if you will. People claim they've seen someone who looks strikingly similar to Travis."

Andrew's heart raced, his mind trying to process the implications of Gordon's words. "Sightings? But that's not possible. Travis... he's..."

Gordon nodded, his expression grave. "I know it's hard to believe, but these reports have been consistent. People describe someone who matches Travis's appearance. And then there is that incident with his grave."

After a pause, he continued, "Andrew, I am asking this as your friend, not a police officer... Do you know anything about this?"

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Andrew finally replied, his voice tinged with unease. He couldn't bring himself to admit the truth, especially when the consequences were so unclear.

Gordon's gaze remained steady, his eyes searching Andrew's face for any signs of deception. "Andrew, I've known you for a long time. I can tell when something's bothering you. And right now, something is definitely bothering you."

He sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him. "Jim, you have to understand, it's complicated."

Gordon's expression softened, his tone empathetic. "I get it, Andrew. I know that you're a protective father, and you'd do anything for your family. But if there's something you're not telling me, I need to know. This isn't just about your family anymore. It's about the safety of the city. Travis's appearance and then all those murders..."

"I assure you the deaths of the homeless people have nothing to do with me," Travis walked out of the front door with the thermos.

Gordon turned to face Travis, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. He took in Travis's appearance, his brows furrowing as he noted the familiarity of the features and the subtle differences that set him apart.

"Travis?" Gordon's voice held a mixture of disbelief and astonishment. "No, you look older. But this uncanny resemblance..."

"Well, I just arrived yesterday and rumors have already started," Travis chuckled shaking his head, "And now you are trying to connect me with murderers. Come on officer, I don't think it's a crime to take a stroll or come to visit a friend of mine. Oh, I am Travis Taylor..."

He extended his hand toward Gordon.

Gordon stared at Travis for a moment, clearly taken aback by the situation. He hesitated for a brief moment before shaking Travis's hand. "Travis Taylor, huh? You certainly have a striking resemblance to someone I know."

Travis's dad stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and caution. "Jim, let me explain."

Gordon held up a hand, his gaze shifting between Travis and Andrew. "Hold on a second. Let's take a step back here. Travis, you say you just arrived yesterday? And you're claiming to be Travis Taylor?"

Travis nodded, his demeanor calm and composed. "That's right. I know it's a bit strange, but it's the truth. Their son's name was Travis Evans and I am Taylor."

Gordon's expression was a mix of skepticism and curiosity. He seemed torn between his experience as a police officer and his understanding as a family friend.

"This situation is... baffling. The resemblance is uncanny," Gordon said, his voice serious.

"Yeah. I know. But what can I do? It's a God-gifted face. And that look on your face says I just crawled out of the grave and standing before you. Travis Evans died of cancer. And a dead man can not come back to life," Travis said with a gentle smile.

Travis's words carried a weight of truth, and Gordon's expression shifted from disbelief to a more thoughtful consideration. He seemed to be processing the situation, his trained instincts battling with the unconventional nature of what he was witnessing.

"Haaa. Sorry about that," Gordon shook his hand, "The almost same face and name made me a bit suspicious, but yeah, you are right. He died that day."

He turned toward Andrew.

"Sorry about that. For making things uncomfortable..."

"Hey, it's alright. You better take some rest, Gim. You are killing yourself by drowning in your work," Andrew said with a worried expression.

"Yeah... Yeah, just need to see the forensic reports," Gordon replied, "Well, be careful out there..."

He finally left.