Runaway (Spellcasters)

## Plot

[A crackling of fire was heard as the camera fades into Logan sitting at a campfire he made as the hooting of owls was heard.A solemn look was washed over his face as he silently thought about what he did. A small flashback of the torment he endured plays in the back of his head, like a movie he can’t turn off. Logan, feeling the heat of the fire in front of him, thinks to himself. He ponders a thought as his eyes stare at the fire, the blaze of it reflecting in his irises, almost enchanted by the dancing flames. He holds out his hand to the fire as an offering, placing it inside the flame, he feels no pain, only heat.]

Logan: God, this is so strange. Why am I not burning here or back at the school?

[He sticks his hand in a second time, only this time he feels a cold rough lick of a tongue. He jerks his hand out in surprise. He stares at the embers in confusion before sticking his hand in once more. He gets the same reaction except, when he pulls his hand back this time, he sees three doberman heads in the flames.Logan takes a step back by the sight of the three dogs.The dogs all bark at once with the same tone as the middle one sticks it’s tongue out. The three heads begin to walk out from the fire, revealing to be a massive three headed doberman. It walks over to Logan before it changes to a normal doberman with a spiked collar wagging its tail. Logan looks at the dog and notices the collar touching it, turning over the license to read the name on it.]

Logan: Cerberus? Like the Greek guard dog of Hades?

[Cerberus wags his tail more as Logan puts him, looking towards the fire. Logan yawns as his eyelids gain weight. He lays down on the floor as Cerberus curls up next to him guarding his sleeping body. The camera zooms into the fire as it transitions to it, dying out as the camera zooms back out to the remains of Logan’s school. A young Hispanic woman with curly brown hair, walks up to the remains digging around as two investigators pull up to her.]

Investigator 1: Excuse me, ma’am, we are going to have to ask you to leave.

Investigator 2:This is a closed crime scene, we can’t have anyone here messing with potential evidence.

[The woman pulls out a gem and mutters something, ignoring the investigators. This annoys the two investigators as they reach for their sides before freezing in place. The woman looks over and smirks at them before continuing her search of the grounds. Through her searching she finds the birth of the fire in the remains of the building. She picks up a busted and charred shower head, as her eyes glow a faint orange as she holds it. She smiles as she tosses the item back to the ground.]

Woman: Thank you boys. I have what I need, I will just be on my way.

[She begins to walk away and has the investigators unfreeze going back to their business. The scene fades back to Logan waking up from his slumber as he yawns and stretches. He notices the dog again, and is a little surprised as he pets them.]

Logan: Still here, huh?

[The dog barks as he wags his tail. Logan starts cleaning up his camp as he starts walking again. The dog looks confused trying to make Logan stay put. Logan pats his head.]

Logan: Sorry Cerberus, I can’t stay here for long. I have to make my way to Canada as soon as possible.

[Logan starts walking further along the road as cars pass by him, pushing gusts of air in his face, allowing his black hair to fly behind his ears. After a few hours of walking, Logan’s stomach starts to grumble. He holds his stomach as he looks at Cerberus, who was still following him.]

Logan: I’m sure you could use some food as well, huh? Guess we should find a diner or something. I’m sure there is food in the dumpster.

[Continuing his walk down the road, Logan spots a little diner off the side. He looks at Cerberus as he heads for the dumpster. Opening it up, he searches it’s contents for food. Logan finds some pancake scrapings as he starts to eat it. With further searching, he finds a half eaten steak as he tosses it to Cerberus to eat. Cerberus wags his tail as he starts to eat it. While the two are munching on their food, a lady comes out of the back door to throw trash away. Logan freezes in the moment as he tries ducking behind the other side of the dumpster. Cerberus slowly follows suit, but in a less hasty manner. The lady sees them both and walks over to them.]

Lady: Hey there, kiddo. Need something to eat? It’s okay I won’t hurt you.

[Logan looks up at the lady seeing her long dark brown hair thrown into a messy bun, eye bags from sleep deprivation, thick frame glasses, and a little mole on her left cheek resting on her tanned skin. Her eyes were full of joy, even though Logan could tell her life has put a heavy strain onto her.]

Logan:No, I’m fine. Sorry for dumpster diving. I should be on my way anyways.

Lady: It’s perfectly fine to stay. I can cover for you and your dog. Everyone needs to eat a warm meal. What are your names?

Logan: Logan and Cerberus.

Lady:Nice to meet you both, I’m Julie. Why don’t you come inside and I can get you two some food?

[Logan nods, getting up, inside Julie places them in a small booth in the corner away from most of the other patrons of the establishment. She brings over a menu for Logan as she prepares to take his order.]

Julie: Look over the menu and order whatever you like and then wave me down when you are ready to order. I’ll be sure to get together a nice plate for Cerberus here.

[Logan looks through the menu eyeballing a stack of chocolate chip pancakes and a hot chocolate. He looked to Cerberus who was sitting on the seat across from him. He smiles at the dog as he raises his hand for Julie. Julie comes back over to them getting her notepad ready to take Logan’s order.]

Julie: Have you decided what to order, sweetie?

Logan: Yes, I’ll have the chocolate chip pancakes and hot chocolate, please.

Julie: My, quite a sweet tooth on you. Coming right up, dearie.

[Julie finishes writing Logan’s order as she walks into the back. While Logan is waiting a trucker looks over at him glaring in his direction. Logan gives a polite wave and smiles as his food arrives at his table.]

Logan: Thank you so much, miss.

Julie: No problem sweetie!

[Logan smiles as he digs into his food, with the trucker still staring at him. Cerberus eats the food given to him by Julie wagging his tail. The trucker puts down cash for his own meal before walking over to Logan. He stands over the table, at about 6 foot 1, wearing a red flannel tucked into jeans with a big belt buckle and cowboy boots. The trucker adjusted the hat on his head.]

Trucker: Which ya doing here boy?

Logan: Just eating here, sir. No need to be concerned.

Trucker: I don’t recall ever seeing you in these parts.

Logan: Just passing through.

Trucker: So where are you from, kid? I don’t recall any place allowing dogs inside a place to eat.

Logan: Not from anywhere, just a traveler.

Trucker: Oh? So you aren’t from this country? Well then, take this as a lesson that dogs aren’t allowed in diners or are for eating.

[The trucker goes to grab Cerberus by the collar, in retaliation, Cerberus starts growling at the man’s hand showing his teeth. The man smacks the back of Logan’s head.]

Trucker: Tell ya dog to behave, he is making this worse.

[Logan’s eyes turn red from annoyance of the man, but before he can retaliate Julie smacks the man’s head. The man turns around red in the face, he looks Julie in the eyes as he takes a deep breath.]

Trucker: Did you just smack me woman?

Julie: Yes, I did. You are harassing my customers. I suggest you leave before things get worse.

Trucker: I am a paying customer, you can’t treat me like that!

Julie: Correction, you are a paid customer. You already paid. Meaning you can kindly leave my diner before I call the cops.

Trucker: Fine. All you immigrants are the same.

[The trucker grumbles as he leaves the diner as Logan gets up to make sure Cerberus is okay. Julie looks over to them.]

Julie: I’m so sorry about that, Logan.

Logan: It’s okay. Just glad you stepped in when you did.

[Logan goes back to his meal and finishes it. After talking to Julie some more, he manages to help out with cleaning dishes to pay her back for the meal. Julie’s shift ends as she lets Logan off the hook for the rest.He starts to make his way to the door before he is stopped by Julie.]

Julie: Where are you and Cerberus off to now?

Logan: Not sure exactly, just wherever the road takes us.

Julie: Are you sure you can’t stay in town for a bit? Maybe, relax? I have an open bed for you. Stay a few nights and work at the diner?

Logan: Sorry, but I can’t stay in one place for too long, otherwise bad things start to happen.

Julie: Oh, well, be safe, okay?

[Julie hugs Logan, as he awkwardly hugs her back before she lets go. He starts walking away waving to Julie. Around about twelve hours pass as Julie is back in the diner about an hour into her next shift. She is tending  to some customers when the Hispanic woman from earlier arrives at the diner sitting down. She looks at the menu as Julie walks over to her. The woman looks at Julie as her eyes spark, sensing her interaction with Logan the day before. She pulls out an old photo of Logan and herself and shows it to Julie.]

Julie: How can I help.. You?

Woman: I am looking for this boy in the picture, have you seen him?

Julie: Why what's the matter?

Woman: He is in danger and I need to save him.

Julie: And who are you exactly?

Izzy: My name is Izzy and I am a close friend of his.

Julie: He was here yesterday, but has since left. I hope he isn’t in anything serious.

Izzy: I hope so as well. I’ll be on my way.

Julie: Don’t you want some food?

Izzy: Finding Logan comes first.

[Izzy’s gem in her bag goes wild as she takes it out and examines it. She panics as she looks around, but sees nothing out of the ordinary. She quickly gets up heading for the door, before turning back to Julie.]

Izzy: If anyone else mentions wanting to find Logan, do not say a word about him to them, please?

[Julie nods as Izzy walks out the door reading for an RV before taking off down the road. A few hours pass as Logan is seen walking alongside the road with Cerberus. Every now and again he would put out his thumb in an attempt to hitchhike. With no takers still, he continues walking. Getting to a signing of being in Las Vegas city limits. Logan stops for a minute to catch his breath and drink some water. He pets Cerberus, giving him some water as well. As he is sitting and waiting an RV pulls over on the highway. The door opens and out steps the Hispanic woman, who has the biggest smile on her face. Cerberus wags his tail, running up to the woman.]

Izzy: Logan! Cerberus! It’s so good to see you both again!

Logan: Who are you? How do you know who I am?

Izzy:Hmmmm, I am your girlfriend, remember? Izzy?

Logan: I don’t remember you at all. I’m not really understanding.

Izzy: Cerberus here remembers me. Seems he was able to find you.

Logan: Find me? What the hell is going on?

Izzy: I can explain everything, Logan. And I mean everything. Like what happened at that school. I just need you to trust me.

[Logan freezes at the mention of the school. He hesitates saying anything to this girl, only watching Cerberus trust her. Izzy’s hands glide across Cerberus’s fur as he happily wags his tail. Based on Cerberus’s reaction to the girl, Logan decides to trust her as he gets into the RV with her.The inside was way more spacious having multiple bedrooms and bathrooms as well as other lounging rooms. The wheel started moving, driving itself as Izzy guided Logan to a table to sit down. At the table, Logan sits as Izzy settles in, Cerberus in her lap.]

Izzy: Buckle up, it’s going to be a long story.

-End-

## Noteworthy Events

### Major Events

* Logan meets Cerberus and Julie
* Izzy finds Logan

## Characters

* Logan
* Cerberus
* Julie
* Trucker
* Izzy

## Allusions

* The diner scene and racist guy were ideas that I came up with from Life is Strange

## Trivia

* The idea of Cerberus came from Cactus and Domina