Rebels and Another Lead
Hospital Visit: Meeting Lewis
Brendon pushed open the hospital doors, the scent of antiseptic filling his nostrils as he strode down the hall. The rhythmic beeping of monitors and murmured voices set a heavy atmosphere. Room 307. That was where Lewis Skelly was being treated.
He stepped inside to find a young, blade-thin human teenager with a plastered left arm sitting upright on the hospital bed. His parents sat beside him, their expressions shifting as they noticed Brendon's presence.
The moment his eyes locked onto them, he recognized the fear.
The same fear he had seen many times before.
The mother—a frail-looking woman with tired eyes—instinctively placed a protective hand on her son's uninjured arm. The father sat stiffly, his posture tense as if expecting a threat.
Brendon adjusted his hat slightly and kept his voice calm. He'd seen this reaction before. They were afraid of him—not as a sheriff, but as an anthro, even more for being a wolf.
Brendon: "Good morning, everyone. My name is Brendon Wolf, Sheriff of this town. I have some questions for Lewis regarding recent incidents."
Lewis's mother clutched her son's hand tightly.
Mrs. Skelly: "Sheriff, our son is still recovering. He's been through enough. What happened to him… and what happened to Jacob—it's all been traumatizing for him. Can't this wait?"
Lewis's father nodded in agreement. "Yes. Please, give him more time."
Brendon could see the fear beneath their concern. He wasn't sure if it was because he was an anthro predator or because of the state he had been in earlier—bloodstained, battered, his wolf instincts barely under control.
But before Brendon could respond, Lewis spoke up.
Lewis: "Sir, ask away... whatever you want."
His voice was weak but determined.
His parents turned to him in protest, but Lewis simply shook his head.
Lewis: "Mom, Dad… this is important. If I don't speak now, things might get worse."
Brendon took out his notepad and clicked his pen.
Brendon: "Alright, Mr. Skelly. Tell me what happened to you yesterday. In full detail."
Lewis's Story
Lewis took a deep breath, his eyes clouded with memory.
Lewis: "Yesterday, I was headed to the hospital... to meet Luca. He warned me to stay at home, but I couldn't resist. You know... he's sort of a big brother to us."
Brendon narrowed his eyes.
Brendon: "That's why you obeyed him when he decided to steal. Right?"
Both of Lewis's parents stiffened, eyebrows raised.
Lewis: "Umm... t-that's... I c-can explain myself—"
Brendon cut him off, voice firm but not unkind.
Brendon: "You boys know what kind of mess you've pulled yourselves into, don't you?"
Lewis's expression hardened. His hands clenched into fists as he suddenly snapped.
Lewis: "What else could we do? They were smuggling drugs! One of our classmates just died because of addiction!"
Brendon met his fierce gaze without flinching.
Brendon: "You could have consulted with the police. Law enforcement is always there for the citizens."
Lewis suddenly laughed.
A bitter, sarcastic chuckle.
Lewis: "Really? I didn't know that."
His parents shot him a warning look, but he ignored them.
Lewis: "For God's sake, we reported it! But your pathetic law enforcement didn't do a damn thing!"
Brendon sighed. He understood that anger. He had once been that kind of kid.
Instead of arguing, he leaned forward, lowering his voice.
Brendon: "Listen, kid… I know what it's like to feel powerless. To think the only way to get justice is to take things into your own hands."
Lewis's anger wavered.
Brendon: "But trust me when I say this... revenge is a weight you don't want on your shoulders. It drags you down, makes you into something you never wanted to be. I've been there. And I paid the price."
Lewis looked away, his jaw tightening.
Brendon took that as his cue to leave.
Brendon: "Thanks for your time. Get some rest, kid."
And with that, he left.
---
Silverpine Lane: Meeting Isaac Backer
Brendon parked outside 4212 Silverpine Lane, Apartment 5B. The building was a small, worn-down complex, the kind of place students and lower-income families could afford.
He knocked on the door.
A few moments later, a short-haired teen with dark skin and a sharp gaze opened it.
Isaac Backer.
Isaac: "Yeah? Who the hell are you?"
Brendon: "Sheriff Wolf. Need to ask you some questions."
Isaac crossed his arms. "Tch. About Lewis? Or about BM19?"
Brendon raised an eyebrow. "BM19?"
Isaac smirked.
Isaac: "Black Movement 19. We started it to fight injustice. To make sure black folks don't get stepped on. That was our future plan. Stealing those packages? That was our first task—something to make people take us seriously."
Brendon leaned against the doorframe.
Brendon: "You think committing crimes will make you heroes?"
Isaac scowled.
Isaac: "No. But exposing criminals will."
Brendon sighed. Another kid thinking he could change the world through reckless decisions.
Brendon: "You got lucky, kid. Lucky that you're still breathing. Try to keep it that way."
Isaac's glare didn't falter, but Brendon saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
With nothing more to say, Brendon left.
---
Rustwood Avenue: Meeting James Warrick
1893 Rustwood Avenue.
The area was rough. Graffiti covered brick walls, and the smell of cheap alcohol hung in the air.
Brendon knocked on Unit 3.
A moment later, a tall, lean teenager with curly hair and a wide grin opened the door.
James Warrick.
James: "Well, well. The Sheriff from news headlines himself. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Brendon sighed. He knew what this kid is talking about. Media have given a huge coverage over him as he arrested Drago.
Brendon: "I need answers, Mr. James. About your little stunt."
James scratched his head, smirking.
James: "Listen, man. We were just trying to do something good. A little rebellious? Sure. But what's life without a little chaos, huh?"
Brendon narrowed his eyes.
Brendon: "You're hiding something."
James chuckled, raising his hands.
James: "Me? Hide something? Nah, Sheriff. I'm just a simple guy."
Brendon didn't buy it.
But pushing him wouldn't work. Not now.
So, with a grunt, he turned and left.
---
Taxi Ride: A Call from Lewis
As Brendon sat in the back of a taxi, his phone rang.
Lewis.
He picked up.
Brendon: "Sheriff Wolf."
Lewis: "Hey... uh, sorry, Sheriff. I got carried away earlier."
Brendon stayed silent, waiting.
Lewis: "There's something you should know. It might help with Jacob's murder."
Brendon straightened.
Brendon: "I'm all ears. Spit it out."
Lewis hesitated.
Lewis: "Jacob… he was acting weird before he died. He just… lost that spark. Like something bad happened, but he wouldn't tell us what."
Brendon frowned. A shift in behavior?
Brendon: "Do you have any idea what might've caused it?"
Lewis: "No. But… Ivy might know."
Brendon's ears perked up. "Ivy?"
Lewis: "Jacob's older sister. He told her everything. If anyone knows what messed him up, it's her."
Brendon rubbed his temples.
Brendon: "Where can I find her?"
Lewis: "I'll text you her address."
Brendon sighed.
This case was getting deeper than he thought.