Shatterpoint
by Joshua Cleveland
Two men. Two secrets. One sanctuary that feels like a cage.
Chase Edmonds is a man vibrating with the static of a past he can’t quite remember. A nurse by trade and a writer by heart, his life is a series of "Fading" spells and a haunting, melodic voice in his ear that only ever screams one word: RUN. After a violent collapse in the neon-soaked streets of New Orleans, Chase is diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury—one that traces back to a mysterious twenty-seven minutes from his childhood where he was technically dead.
Enter Jamison: a former Marine turned high-end Project Manager. He is the Architect of Chase’s recovery, a man who speaks in the language of foundations and load-bearing walls. What begins as a rescue quickly ignites into an intense, passionate romance. To Chase, Jamison is the lighthouse breaking through the Fog. He is a fierce protector and a breathtaking lover, providing a sterile, luxury downtown sanctuary where the grit of the world can’t reach. In his arms, Chase finally feels a soul-deep connection that promises healing.
But Jamison is building more than a home; he’s building a perimeter.
While Jamison scrubs the past off Chase’s skin, consumes his heart, and manages his life with surgical precision, he is hiding a microscopic countdown of his own. Behind a locked box and a less-than-legal restraining order, Jamison is fighting to control a narrative that is rapidly unraveling.
As the missing 27 minutes begin to scream louder in the silence of the condo, Chase must decide if the passionate sanctuary they’ve built is a refuge, or a beautifully designed trap. In a world where trust is built stone by stone, one crack in the foundation could bring the whole structure down.
In the heart of the Fog, the truth is the most dangerous thing you can find.
A note from the author: This story focuses on trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and violent childhood abuse. Not recommended for all readers.