Past Always Comes Back to Bite

Interrogation Room – Ridgecliff Police Station

Bronson sat in the cold metal chair, his hands cuffed to the table. His face was blank, but his eyes darted between Chief Tyson and the mirrored glass wall. He knew someone was watching from the other side.

Chief Tyson leaned forward, his fingers interlocked. "You know, Bronson, I've been in this job long enough to know when someone's full of shit. So let's make this easy—tell me who helped you, and maybe, just maybe, I'll put in a good word for you when this goes to trial."

Bronson scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk. "You already got your confession, Chief. What else do you want?"

Tyson's jaw tightened. "I want the truth. The real truth."

Bronson exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "I did what I had to do. That punk Jacob was sniffing around too much. He had no idea what he was getting into. So I showed him where he should be."

Tyson slammed his fist onto the table, making Bronson flinch. "And what exactly was he getting into, huh? Something big enough that you had to hack his cloud data? Who helped you do that?"

Bronson's smirk faded for a moment, but he quickly covered it up. "No one helped me."

Tyson stared at him for a few seconds before chuckling. "You're a terrible liar."

Bronson leaned back, shrugging. "Believe whatever you want."

From the other side of the mirrored glass, Robert stood watching the exchange. He felt a knot form in his stomach. He turned on his feet and left.

---

Sheriff's Office – Ridgecliff Police Station

Robert found Brendon inside the sheriff's office, standing in front of a whiteboard, writing with a red marker. As he got closer, he read the words Brendon had scribbled down:

1) How did Bronson hack Jacob's cloud data? (A third-party hacker????)

2) Why did Bronson save Lewis?

3) Who set up those teenagers to steal Drago's package? (The anonymous caller????)

4) What is in the package that so important for Drago to even surrender himself?

5) Where is the package now? (Asking Robert is the best option)

Robert folded his arms. "Yo, dude, what is this?"

Brendon didn't turn around. "Some questions that are still unsolved... to me."

Robert sighed. "But why these questions? They aren't even relevant now. We got the culprit. He confessed himself. That should be enough, right?"

Brendon finally turned to face him. "So you really don't see it yet, huh?"

Robert raised an eyebrow. "See what?"

Brendon pointed at the first and second questions. "Look at them again."

Robert glanced back at the board, rereading the words. Then, it hit him. His face paled. "My God..."

Brendon nodded. "These two questions point to one thing—Bronson wasn't working alone. He had help. And I think that's where I can fit in those 'Hunters' bastards."

Robert groaned. "Brendon, please not this again. You already saw what happened last time you went after them."

Brendon's expression darkened. "I know. You don't have to remind me. Just tell me where that package is—the one you were supposed to bring me from Rover Bay."

Robert hesitated. "...Well, that's a long story. I'll explain later. But don't worry, the contents of the package are secure."

Brendon narrowed his eyes. "Wait. Does that mean you opened the box?"

Robert scratched his head, looking away. "Yeah. Sorry. I was curious."

Brendon groaned. "Oh, for—ugh, fine. The important thing is that Drago didn't find out. So, great job, I guess."

Robert smirked. "Thanks, Sheriff."

---

Tech Department – Ridgecliff Police Station

The department was buzzing with activity as new computers were being installed, replacing the old ones destroyed in the attack. Brendon made his way toward Sofie, the station's tech expert.

"Sofie, need your help."

She looked up from her laptop and grinned. "Anything for the hero of the station."

Brendon groaned. "Oh! Don't call me that. Please."

Sofie laughed. "Alright, alright. What do you need?"

Brendon pulled up a chair. "Can you access Bronson's bank account transactions?"

Sofie raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but why?"

"Just need to clear up a doubt."

She shrugged and got to work. After a few minutes, she tapped her screen. "Got it. What are we looking for?"

Brendon leaned in. "Any suspicious transactions in the last week."

Sofie scrolled through the data. Then, she stopped. "Oh, this one's interesting. Four days ago, a massive deposit—fifty thousand pounds—was made to someone named Camelia Webbs."

Brendon's face went pale. "...Oh, shit."

Sofie frowned. "What? What's wrong?"

Brendon shook his head. "Nothing..."

Without another word, he left the room.

---

Brendon's Apartment

Brendon slammed the door behind him and collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Camelia Webbs..."

It had been five years since that incident. He thought he had buried that part of his past. But now, it was crawling its way back.

He shut his eyes, willing the memories to fade.

Then—ding-dong!

The doorbell rang. Brendon groaned and got up. He opened the door to find a package sitting on the floor. No sender. Just his name.

He picked it up and brought it inside. On top of the package, there was a letter. He recognized Robert's handwriting.

"These are the things I found in that package."

Brendon's heart pounded as he tore open the box. He reached inside and pulled out—

He froze. His breath hitched.

Inside the box were a bunch of cash, a flash drive, some drug packets and—

Three or four tubes with some weird animal carvings.

Brendon's fingers trembled as he picked it up. His eyes widened in shock.

"No... it can't be..."

The Mythrivens. They were behind this.

A ghost from his past had just returned.