Back to Earth

This was Zell's first experience with his new powers of space and time. He could see the multiverse laid out before him as windows. It resembled his time inside the astral plane. Having seen something similar before he was able to easily navigate to the day he died. With a deep breath and a look of determination he leaped into the window.

He appeared in front of his old home at the break of dawn. His house was wrapped in crime scene tape and multiple technicians were cataloging the scene. The horrid scene was counterbalanced with the feeling of nostalgia. The familiar smells and sights he used to experience every day.

His attire made him stick out like a sore thumb. His open vest and pants that were now too short for his taller body. It did not take long for a detective to notice his presence. "Excuse me sir." She said as she walked over to Zell, raising her hand.

Zell turned and faced the woman as she approached him.

Seeing that she had his attention she began to ask him questions. "Did you know the family that lived here?" She asked as she approached.

"No, I was just passing through and saw all the commotion and thought that I would check it out." Zell replied.

"Where are you from?" She asked. "I have never seen anyone dress in quite a manner."

"Oh this?" He said as he looked at himself. [My clothes do not fit right.] He thought to himself. "I am an entertainer, just ending my shift."

"What sort of entertainment?" She asked.

"I would rather not answer." Zell said.

Not to be deterred, she pressed the issue. "Surely you must be a gig worker with such an attire, if you tell me what kind of entertainment you provide, I may be able to find you more clients or may even be interested myself."

[Does she think I am stupid?] Zell thought to himself. [Well dressed that this, yes, yes, she does think I am stupid.]

[Why are you even bothering talking to his mortal?] Anna said. [Remember you cannot go back and start over, the longer you wait and waste time the more time is lost.]

[She may have insight on what happened.] Zell explained. [We need to find out what she knows.]

"I am tired, detective; I am sure you understand." Zell said. "Tell you what, give me your card and we can discuss the matter in length later."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a card. She handed it to Zell with a smile. "I look forward to it."

Zell took the card and walked away. [I need to get better clothing if I am going to blend in and investigate.] He thought to himself.

As Zell left the scene the detective went to some patrol officers and the scene. "I want you to go shadow that man, if he goes anywhere remotely connected to this place, I want you to arrest him."

"On what charges?" The patrol officer asked.

"Arrest him for anything, obstruction of justice, criminal trespass, just anything." She explained. "I just have a feeling he is connected to these murders, and I am going to find out what that connection is."

Zell knew his son lived a block away. He knew where the key to his house was and figured him to be about the same size and build that he currently was. He went to the house and found the fake rock that hid the spare key. He retrieved it and went inside, not knowing he was being watched.

"Dispatch can you run the address of 6698 Willow Lane." The officer said into his walkie.

Within moments the dispatcher got back with the officer. "Address is current resident of Malcom Smith."

"That name any connection to our murders last night?" The officer asked.

"Malcom Smith is one of the victims." The dispatcher responded.

"This is officer O'Kelly, I need all available units to 6698 Willow Lane, possible murder suspect inside." Officer O'Kelly said.

Inside the house Zell made his way upstairs into his son's room. Along the way he passed by his grandson's room. He stopped and looked inside, spending a moment to think about his grandson. The walls of the room were lined with posters from various video games and anime. He had a bookshelf filled to the brim with a variety of manga. "He always did like those cartoons." Zell said softly, reminiscing about the past. "I will see you again one day little buddy, until then wait for grandpa." With a tear in his eye, he left and entered his son's room.

He went into the closet and found multiple suits. His son worked as a traveling salesman and had an extensive collection of suits. He finally found one he likes. It was a navy blue three piece, with a red striped tie to match. He put it on and to his luck it was a near perfect fit. The sleeves were just a hair too short. As he was looking at himself in the mirror, he began to see the flashing of red and blue lights outside the window. He peeked through the curtains and found the street filled with police cars. Their doors open and police hiding behind them with their guns drawn at the house.

An officer with sergeant's bars on his uniform picked up a bull horn. "This is the police." He said. "We have the place surrounded. Come out with your hands up or we will have no choice but to use force. This will go a lot better for you if you surrender now."

Zell closed the curtain and let out a deep sigh. "They really think I am a suspect?" He asked himself. "That means they have no ideas or leads. Shit. If I don't surrender and explain, they will waste resources trying to find me, but if I do that is so much wasted time."

[I should also point out that per mother's rules your level is meaningless on Earth.] Anna said. [You still have my god powers and those that you took from Steve, but your massive strength is unavailable to you at the moment.]

[Thanks for the heads up.] Zell replied.

"This is your last warning." The sergeant said again over the bullhorn. "You have thirty seconds to comply."