The old warehouse on 5th and Main loomed before them, its towering structure a monolith of darkness in the deserted streets. Emily and Ryan stood outside, their eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of life.
"It's quiet," Ryan whispered, his hand resting on the gun at his hip.
Emily nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. What would they find inside?
They approached the entrance, a large metal door with a rusted handle. Ryan pushed it open, and they stepped inside, their flashlights casting flickering shadows on the walls.
The warehouse was dimly lit, the only sound the creaking of old wooden beams. Emily's eyes adjusted slowly, and she made out the shapes of crates and boxes stacked haphazardly around the room.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows.
"Welcome, Detective Rodriguez," the figure said, its voice low and gravelly.
Emily's eyes narrowed, trying to make out the person's features. But they were shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to see.
"Who are you?" Emily demanded, her hand on her own gun.
The figure chuckled, a dry, mirthless sound. "You'll find out soon enough. But first, let's talk about Sarah."
Ryan stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. "What do you know about Sarah?"
The figure smiled, its teeth glinting in the faint light. "I know everything. And I'm willing to share... for a price."
Emily's mind was racing. What did this person want? And what did they know about Sarah's murder?
"What do you want?" Emily asked, her voice firm.
The figure leaned forward, its eyes glinting with a sinister light. "I want you to investigate a new lead. One that will take you beyond the evidence... and into the heart of darkness."
And with that, the figure handed Emily a small piece of paper with a single word scrawled on it: "Eclipse"