Chapter 18: The Truth Emerging

Hawk drove the pickup truck and took Irene to a hidden abandoned mine cave, which was one of the secret strongholds of the "Rust Belt Vigilante League". The cave was filled with a damp smell. A few faint lights flickered on the walls, illuminating the rough stone walls around.

Hawk lit a torch. The dim yellow light flickered in the dark, shining on his resolute face. He slowly opened his mouth and confessed everything to Irene. He told Irene that he was the leader of the "Rust Belt Vigilante League". The original intention of establishing this organization was to punish those criminals who had escaped legal sanctions. In this town shrouded in corruption and darkness, the law had become a tool for the powerful, unable to give victims a fair trial.

"Our parents were also killed by them," Hawk said in a low and hoarse voice, filled with endless pain and anger. He recounted that many years ago, Carl and other powerful people, in order to cover up the truth of the steel factory pollution, had killed Irene's and his parents by any means necessary and faked their deaths as accidents. Hearing these truths, the shock and anger in Irene's heart surged like a fierce tide. Her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles turning white, and the flames of revenge burned in her eyes.

"I'll make them pay," Irene said through gritted teeth, her voice full of firm determination. At this moment, the moral balance in her heart began to tilt. Her absolute trust in the law had a crack. She began to understand Hawk's actions, although this method was on the verge of the law.

Hawk looked at Irene, a hint of relief in his eyes. "I knew you'd understand me. Let's work together and make those sinners pay the price they deserve." Irene nodded. She knew that from this moment on, she and Hawk were on the same front. They were going to fight against this dark world together and seek justice for their families and the victims.