Life's ReEvolution

By Amy Shannon

A year ago, the town was shocked by the un-death of three of its former residents, along with the dismemberment and serial killing of residents. The town is still trying to heal from that and move on with their life, but there is still much more from that one fateful underground laboratory. Fear, love, new life, rebuilding, and coming to terms with being alive is the new evolution for the town of Sars Springs.

The patterns of the past. The fears of the present. Trying to hide from the pain causes some to get lost and others to blame themselves. Will the unexpected new lives give a new outlook for residents? How will the local fire chief handle a great loss and a new gift in his life as he tries to focus on love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Dec 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215538593

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s ReEvolution

Amy Shannon

A picture containing graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

A year ago, the town was shocked by the un-death of three of its former residents, along with the dismemberment and serial killing of residents. The town is still trying to heal from that and move on with their life, but there is still much more from that one fateful underground laboratory. Fear, love, new life, rebuilding, and coming to terms with being alive is the new evolution for the town of Sars Springs.

The patterns of the past. The fears of the present. Trying to hide from the pain causes some to get lost and others to blame themselves. Will the unexpected new lives give a new outlook for residents? How will the local fire chief handle a great loss and a new gift in his life as he tries to focus on love?

1 Nervousness

DR. RAINA MARKUM walked out to her front porch and smiled at her son, Logan, as he slowly walked across the street toward her from his home. Are you all right?

No, I’m not, he said. Mom, what am I doing?

She took his hand, and they sat down on the steps. You tell me?

I said I’d take care of him, and I will. We’ve become such good friends. I’m just … I don’t know … nervous.

You have nothing to be nervous about, she smiled.

But … what if he doesn’t … and I do… he said.

"What if he does?" she grinned.

You know him better than I do, he said.

It’s been a very, very long time. He’s a different man than he was, Raina said.

But what if Martin dumps Uncle Carey and decides to go back to him? What if I lose him all together? What if Mark causes trouble?

Has he been causing trouble? Raina asked.

Not in a while, but I feel like he’s watching me. I know, I’m just being paranoid.

I thought he was dating someone, Raina said.

I don’t know. I try not to keep tabs, but I like knowing where he is, so I don’t go there, he said. I love him, and we were married, but this is … I don’t know. We just didn’t click the past few years.

You don’t have to explain it to me, she smiled. Now, let’s get to the hospital.

Dad is working, right?

Yes, he is, Raina said. Everything is set at your house, right?

Yes, Matt put the final touch on the lift since it hadn’t been used in quite a while, Logan said. Mom, I’m scared.

Raina put her arm around her son. I know you took some time off from the firehouse.

Yeah, Leo’s going to run it fine.

You’re the perfect man for this. You two have gotten to be great friends. Just let it be. I know you have deeper feelings for him but just let things happen, she kissed his cheek.

OK, I guess I’m ready to go. Is Martin going to be there?

I’m sure he will be. They’ve been talking for a while, but Martin’s relationship with Carey is very strong. They’re just trying to get used to him being back.

What about the others? Logan asked, as they stood up.

Soon, Raina smiled. Very soon, she opened the car door.

Dr. Martin Welch took a deep breath as he knocked on the room door. Come in, the voice said from inside the room.

Martin slowly walked into the room. Um, hi, he said.

Jasper Timmery looked up and smiled. Martin, you can come in. I don’t bite.

Martin sat down on the edge of the bed. I’m sorry. I guess this is still kind of weird for me, he smiled.

Jasper went to touch his hand and then stopped. Well, it’s weird for me, too. I was dead and now, I’m not. Our daughter is grown with grown children of her own. She married Alexander Markum. Wow, I guess I’m surprised.

Well, she is a wonderful woman, Martin said. She and Xander love each other very much.

I know they do. Martin, you and I used to love each other, too.

I know, but it’s different now, Martin said. I’m sorry if I’m acting strange.

It’s all right, Jasper said. I can’t wait to get out of this room. I know so much has changed in this town, other than you and me.

Yes, Martin said. We’re one hospital, instead of two.

And, I’m going to be living with Logan, which is different. He was just a kid when I was alive.

You and he have gotten to be good friends, haven’t you?

Yes, really good friends. I have a feeling that Raina and maybe Al put in a few nudges here and there. We are good friends. He seems like a good man.

Martin smiled. Jasper, he is a good man. He’s one of the greatest men that I know. I don’t know if he’s talked about his ex-husband.

Mark? He’s only mentioned him in passing. I heard it just didn’t work out.

No, it didn’t. Mark was … well … in some ways, he acted way too feminine, and then, he acted like an ass. He cheated on Logan with a woman. He said he was trying to figure out what he wanted, men or women.

So, is he still gay?

Not sure, I think he still goes back and forth, Martin said.

Does he still want Logan? Am I looking at competition?

"Competition? You do have feelings for Logan, don’t you?" Martin smiled.

Well, he is extremely sexy, Jasper said. Oh, sorry.

No need to be sorry, Martin said. If we weren’t cousins … hell, yeah, he is very sexy and very masculine.

We’re friends. I’m sure that’s all he thinks of me as, Jasper said.

I wouldn’t be so sure, but just take it one moment at a time but don’t think that he won’t have sex with you if you’re just friends.

Oh, really? Jasper asked, as Raina and Logan walked into the room. Oh, um, hi.

Raina looked at Martin and then at Jasper. Hi. Are you ready?

Yeah, Jasper slowly stood up.

Did we interrupt? Logan asked quietly.

No, we were just talking. We’ll all have to have dinner soon, Martin said. Logan, are you all right?

Yeah, I’m fine, Logan stared down at the floor. Um, dinner sounds good, he looked up at Martin.

Martin winked at Logan and then smiled at Jasper. You’re in good hands. Carey and I will see you soon, he walked out the door.

Raina took Jasper’s hand. Everything is set at Logan’s house. I still want you to take it easy for a little while. Ely said your legs were strong, but you’re not ready to go for walks without someone there.

Don’t worry, Ray, Jasper smiled. I’m just glad to not be dead.

Raina kissed his cheek. Go ahead, take my car home. Terry will pick me up later, she handed Logan her keys. I’ll see you both later. Terry said he’ll bring dinner over for the both of you.

Thanks, Mom, Logan said, as she left the room. He looked at Jasper. Ready?

Yeah, he said, as he took Logan’s arm. I really appreciate this.

It’s no problem, Logan led him out of the hospital.

2 Friendship

LOGAN LED JASPER into his house. Well, it’s not much, but it’s home, Logan said.

Jasper looked into Logan’s eyes. This is great, he smiled.

It will take some time for you to get used to being alive and out of the hospital. I wanted it to feel like home for you, Logan said. Down this hall here is your bedroom and there’s a full bath, which includes a shower and a tub.

I’m serious. This is really great, Jasper said.

Logan gazed into Jasper’s eyes and took a step back. Is there anything I can get you?

No, I’m good, he smiled, as he sat on the sofa. Really. Do what you would normally do. Don’t let me get in your way.

Well, normally, I would’ve made dinner, but Dad is supposed to bring it over, Logan said, as he sat down on the sofa.

I heard about Terry’s hand. How is he doing?

He only wears the prosthetic when he’s at work, Logan said. At home, he doesn’t wear it. Mom designed the superman tattoo on the stump for him.

"Superman? Hmm, they still do the super hero thing, huh?" Jasper asked.

Yeah, I guess that’s how they keep their relationship fresh.

Yeah, he said. So, what about you?

Me? Logan asked.

Do you do anything really out there? Jasper smiled.

"To be honest, not really. I mean … no, I like it sensual and sexy. Whatever we do … I didn’t mean we … as in you or me … I meant, oh crap…"

Jasper put his hand on Logan’s. I know what you meant. Right now … um…

Logan looked into his eyes. What is it?

I could use a good friend.

I’m here for you. I told you. We’re friends. I’ll help you in any way that I can, he said. I’m sure it’s hard to see Martin with Uncle Carey.

It’s not that. Carey is and always has been a good man. I always knew they had chemistry. They were great friends before I died. Martin … I loved him when I died, but something inside me knew that he needed to go on and I didn’t. That’s why I didn’t have them bring me back. I don’t know how I ended up here but now that I’m alive, I’m going to make the most of my life. I want to still be friends with Martin and Carey, like we always have been.

That would be good. We … the three of us, and it used to be four when, um, Mark was here, we’d always have dinner and of course there is the Glory Rainbow Connection. Thanks to Gram, we now have a building.

What’s the Glory Rainbow Connection?

It’s like a gay lodge. We hang out, drink, talk, and meet new people. Cam and I started it years ago. We never knew how many gay men and women there were in the town. In the past few years, it also held meetings for support groups. Years ago, there was a gay rapist going around.

Oh, wow, Jasper said. Glad I missed that one.

Well, unfortunately, I didn’t, he said.

Oh, I didn’t know. I’m sorry, Jasper took his hand.

Well, there were two rapists, one happened to be my ex-lover. He hurt me just to hurt me, Logan said. Mark and I were never the same again. I thought we were, but we weren’t. He and Xander were forced to watch.

Oh, god, I’m so sorry.

It’s OK. I don’t want to talk about it, but it doesn’t hurt as much as it used to.

Jasper looked at Logan. I have to ask you something. You don’t have to answer, but I have to know.

All right, Logan gulped.

Do you have sex with friends?

What? Logan raised one eyebrow.

You and I are friends, right?

Yes, Logan smiled.

Would you have sex with me? I mean, I don’t mean now, but later, or sometime in the near future? Jasper smiled.

Are you sure?

Yes, Jasper leaned forward and kissed him softly. I’m sorry.

Why are you sorry?

It’s been so long, but I’m not…

Logan lightly touched his face. You don’t have to say anything. We’re friends. Good friends. I want your friendship. That kiss was very nice … more like amazing.

Jasper smiled. Not bad for a dead man, huh?

Logan leaned forward and kissed him again. Not bad at all. He touched his face. I did say I’d help in any way I can. I’d love to… he said, as there was a knock on the door. It has to be dad. I swear he has radar or something, Logan stood up and walked over to the door. Dad. Mom.

We brought dinner, Terry Markum said.

Come in, Jasper smiled.

Oh, were we interrupting? Raina asked.

No, Logan said. Why don’t you two join us for dinner? Looks like Dad made enough to feed an army.

I did, Terry said, as he took the bags out to the kitchen.

Raina looked at Logan and then at Jasper. I’ll be in the kitchen.

Logan took Jasper’s hand. Later? he whispered.

Later, Jasper smiled. Oh, Logan?

Yeah, he smiled.

Thanks for being my friend. I don’t feel so lonely anymore.

You’ll never be alone. First and foremost, we’re friends, Logan smiled as he led Jasper into the kitchen.

Logan closed the door as Terry and Raina left the house. He looked over at Jasper. Are you tired?

A little, he said. I’d like to lie down for a little while.

Of course, Logan led him down the hall. This is your room. If there’s anything that you need in here, just let me know. I kind of guessed on clothes sizes and stuff.

Jasper slowly sat on the bed. I like this bed.

It is the most comfortable mattress they make, Logan said. Mom recommended it to all of us. I hope you don’t mind the black and white. If you want another color scheme, let me know.

It’s nice. I like it. Very masculine.

Well, I’ll let you rest, Logan said.

Wait, Jasper said.

Logan walked over and sat down on the bed next to Jasper. What is it?

About our kiss earlier, he said.

I’m sure you were just curious, Logan said.

I was, he smiled as he lightly touched Logan’s face. I don’t know if I’m going to do this right.

What do you mean? Logan asked.

I like that we’re friends. Your face was the first thing I saw when I woke up. You’ve been catching me up on life and my … our family. You’re a good man and I don’t want to lose our friendship.

Neither do I, Logan said. But there’s something else, isn’t there?

Yes, Jasper said. There are a lot of things that I want to do. Living is one of them.

What are the other things? Logan asked.

I want to be a doctor again. I want to get to know my daughter, my grandchildren.

Well, your daughter is my sister-in-law, Logan smiled. Whatever you want, just let me know. Jasper, we are friends. To be honest, it feels good to have someone here to talk to.

Jasper smiled. Logan, I–I feel things – in my heart, He lightly touched his own chest. I want – I want to feel like this – I like feeling like this – I just want to be sure–

Logan touched his own chest. I know the feelings you’re talking about. I think the best thing we can do is be friends and move forward from there.

But… he smiled.

You want sex, don’t you? Logan smiled.

"It’s been a long time. I’ll understand if you don’t want a sexual relationship with me," Jasper said.

That’s not what I meant. I’d also like to move forward … slowly … like you said, but only as we get to know each other … if you want… Logan smiled as he leaned in and kissed Jasper. Like I said, whatever you need.

I need you, Jasper said.

3 Crumbling Obstacles

CAREY MARKUM SAT down across from Martin at the kitchen table. So, you want talk about it?

Martin stared down at his wineglass as he ran his finger around the rim. What?

You’ve been staring at that glass for 10 minutes. Do you want to talk about it?

Martin looked up at Carey. What would you do?

If what?

If … I don’t know … say Charlie came back, Martin said.

Oh, so, it’s about Jasper … or is it about Jasper and Logan? Carey sipped his wine.

I think it’s great that they’re friends, Martin said.

Really?

"Yes, really," Martin said.

OK, say they become more than friends … more like lovers or even better … partners.

Jasper and I are two different people. In reality, I’m a lot older now, Martin said. It’s not that he’s staying with Logan or that they’ve gotten close. It’s not even about my feelings for him.

Then what is it? Carey lightly touched his husband’s hand.

"It’s still weird that he’s alive. I know my daughter is so ecstatic that her other father is alive, but it’s strange. He’s not the only one who’s alive. My stepmother is also alive. She and Dad are getting used