The door opened on its own as someone pulled it from the inside, and a familiar voice emerged, energetic and teasing. "What else can he do? After all, he's never been much of a womanizer," the voice said. Guion, recognizing the voice instantly, felt a surge of joy and surprise. "Erick!" he exclaimed, overjoyed to see his long-lost childhood friend after so many years. "Yo!" Erick responded with equal enthusiasm. Erick was tall and white, just like Guion, with short black hair. He wore blue jeans, brown leather boots, and a black jacket with "FBI" emblazoned on the back.
The sheriff stepped out of his office, joining them just outside the door. He was a tall, middle-aged Black man, around his late forties, dressed in the sheriff's uniform. "So, you two know each other. That should make things easier!" he said, nodding at the two men. Guion was happy but confused. "Lieutenant Marrow, meet Special Agent Erick Ryan. He's joining us for a special investigation," the sheriff explained.
"Special Agent? You told me it was a recruit!" Guion exclaimed, bewildered. "I thought it was a rookie!", "Everything I tell you on the phone is coded," the sheriff responded with a smirk. "You mean a lie?" Guion shot back sarcastically, but the sheriff ignored him, his expression growing more serious. "Besides, with all that's going on in this city, we can't risk being overheard by the wrong ears," the sheriff added.
Guion leaned in closer, anxiety creeping into his voice. "Maybe it's just me, but that sounds like we're about to break some serious rules here. Count me out!" The sheriff's face hardened. "You don't have a choice," he said firmly. "You're the boss, I get it. But why the hell do we need him for an investigation?" Guion asked, pointing at Erick.
The sheriff looked sideways, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Well, for starters, you're quite useless in that line of work," he replied bluntly. "No offense," he added with a shrug. "What?! Then what the hell do you need me for?" Guion demanded, his voice rising in frustration. "Will you stop with the questions? You're acting like a child!" the sheriff yelled back. "You two are like father and son," Erick interjected with a grin. "Shut up!" Guion and the sheriff snapped in unison. "Woo!" Erick yelped, taking a step back with his hands raised in mock surrender.
The sheriff quickly regained his composure, placing a hand on Guion's shoulder. "Listen, something is happening in my city things we can't explain. As sheriff, I intend to find out what it is and stop it.", "I don't want to lose my job," Guion said, regret lacing his voice." I know how much you love this job, but people are dying," the sheriff replied, his tone grave. "If we don't act now, their deaths will be on us."
Erick, with a smug look on his face, chimed in, "You'll be teaming up with me and First Lieutenant Annika Georgia." "I'm in," Guion said immediately, his change of heart taking everyone by surprise. "That's what I thought," Erick replied, smirking.
The sheriff, suspicious of Guion's sudden shift in attitude, narrowed his eyes. "Wait! Are you in love with Annik....." he began, but before he could finish, Guion had drawn his revolver and aimed it directly at the sheriff's head.
Everyone in the station froze, immediately drawing their weapons and pointing them at Guion, but he kept his eyes locked on the sheriff. "If you finish that sentence, you're dead!" Guion threatened, his voice deadly serious. The tension was palpable, and for a moment, everyone thought he might actually pull the trigger. "Come on now, don't be stupid. Put the gun down," Erick said, his voice rising slowly, trying to defuse the situation.
Guion glanced around, taking in the sight of his colleagues, and finally lowered his weapon. "I was never gonna shoot," he said, forcing a smile. "You said it yourself he's like a father to me."
The officers cautiously lowered their guns, and the tension in the room eased slightly. Erick and Guion then made their way outside the station to catch up on old times. As they walked, Erick couldn't resist teasing Guion. "Between us, you prepared that little speech, didn't you?", "Shut up!" Guion replied, blushing slightly.
Meanwhile, Annika was summoned to the sheriff's office, where she was briefed on the secret investigation. She listened quietly, her expression unreadable. "I understand," she said simply, officially becoming part of the mission.
Outside, Erick and Guion sat on the hood of a small police car in the parking lot, reminiscing. "So, when did you even become a cop?" Guion asked, curious. "Seriously? You call me your best friend, and you don't know this little about me? I'm hurt," Erick replied with mock indignation. "Dude, I'm a cop, not a spy," Guion shot back. "This is why I'll always be better than you," Erick teased. "Keep dreaming," Guion replied, both of them smiling. The conversation then turned more serious as Guion asked Erick what they were dealing with in the investigation.
Erick's face darkened as he asked, "Have you seen the news?" He looked up at the sky. "There are demons roaming around us, wearing human flesh." As if on cue, a massive, bird-like figure flew past the station at incredible speed, casting an enormous shadow over the building. The ground trembled violently, as though a monstrous earthquake had just struck. "Did you see that??!" Erick shouted, jumping to his feet.
Guion stood up beside him, his eyes scanning the dark sky. "For a moment there, I felt cold like I was terrified of something.", "You're not the only one," Erick replied, his voice tense. "It's like the very walls of the station shivered in fear," the sheriff added, stepping outside with the rest of the officers to gaze up at the sky. "What could do something like that?" a male officer asked, his voice filled with unease. "A monster," Annika said softly, her tone carrying a weight of knowledge that sent a shiver down everyone's spine.