The drive back from the airport was relaxing. James had just spent the past two weeks in France paying his respects to fallen soldiers, people he had considered brothers, and culminating in a visit to the beaches of Normandy. Simply closing his eyes there transported him back seventy four years to that fateful day, D-Day. But that was another life, his previous one, his first one to be truthful. He was born as Alexander Marcus Reese and that was the name he used then during World War Two. The memories of that life left scars that he will carry the rest of his time on this Earth, not physically but they would be there. That was a benefit and a curse to being a dragon in this world. At the end of one cycle they would burst into flame, shedding the injuries of their past life and being reborn in a sense from the ashes, whole and unmarked. That was how he got his left leg back.

Shaking his head he banished those thoughts and thought instead about the new memories he was making. All the good he was doing in the community. He would return home and check in with the guys at the firehouse and see if there was any more murders had happened while he was away. It was scary and it brought the soldier mentality to the forefront of his mind. Eight murders in the past two months and this was just one town over in Roxbury. He would have to forge a knife when he got home. It wouldn’t be much but it would be something to protect himself with and something to help get his mind off the madness going on around him. 

His Black 2007 Ford F-150 finally crossed the border to his hometown. It was good to be home again. The sights of Erehwon in the autumn as it prepared itself for the annual fall festival were something to behold. He pulled into the parking lot next to the fire department, just off of main and carefully pulled into the spot next to the Boss’ car. Putting the car in park he began to quietly make his way to the side entrance and scanned his key fob to let him in. 

“Welcome back James!” Hollered a man’s voice from his left, just behind a closed door. This started off a chain reaction of all his coworkers coming in and clapping him on the back and welcoming him. 

[color=5EE696] “How’d you know it was me Carl?”[/color]

“Your truck has a distinctive sound to it. Sounds like a piece of …”

[color=5EE696] “Woah woah woah. Don’t go dissing my truck. I take care of it and it still gets me from place to place so it’s good in my book.” [/color] He cut Carl off as most of the guys went back to what they were doing before hand. 

“Just calling it like I see it man. It’s good to have you back. You enjoy your trip?” Carl asks as he walks out of the bathroom with a paper towel still in his hands. Carl Renard was a tall man, dark skinned and strong and was someone who enjoyed his job. Though a mundane, he is aware of the otherworldly nature that comprises a number of the town's citizens. 

[color=5EE696] “Yeah. It was nice. First time I’ve been over there in a long time. Visited the Beaches, went to Paris. Relaxed.”[/color] He right ear twitched as he stated that last part. 

“Yeah right, I somewhat doubt you would know what relaxation was if it went and smacked you in your face.” Carl shot back as embraced his friend. 

[color=5EE696] “Yeah, I missed you too. Anyway I’m just stopping in to let you know I’m back and will be back on the clock tomorrow. I’m going to stop at the house and drop my stuff off, then head into town.” [/color] He said as he embraced his friend back quickly before backing off. He had jet lag real bad, but he would force himself to stay up so he could get a proper night’s sleep. 

“Alright I’ll see you then. You be careful out there.” Carl told James. 

[color=5EE696] “See you tomorrow, Boss.” [/color] James waved as he made his way back to the door. He had to stifle a yawn as he stepped outside. He looked out to the street and went to his truck. He needed coffee before he went anywhere else. Coffee Central was only few blocks away, he didn’t really need to drive there. He checked to see if he locked the door and began walking when he was confident that the truck was secure.