Gene felt a rush of fear as he tried to wriggle out of his handcuffs, but his efforts proved futile. Detective Johnson continued to read him his rights. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law..."

Gene closed his eyes in despair. He had run out of options. "Are you prepared to give a statement?" Johnson asked.

"Yes," Gene replied, his voice shaky. "But could I take a shower first... and perhaps get dressed?"

Detective Johnson nodded approvingly. "Very well."

As Gene showered, he couldn't help but think about the gravity of his situation. His mind raced through potential outcomes, none of which looked promising. He felt cornered, like a rat in a trap. The water cascading down his body did little to wash away the dread that enveloped him.

Back in his handcuffs, Gene was led into the cold, intimidating interrogation room at the police station. The atmosphere was suffocating. A single, dim light bulb hung from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The room smelled of stale coffee and sweat, a scent that seemed to cling to the very walls.

A tape recorder sat on the table. Detective Johnson pressed the red button and announced, "Gene Starwind, sixteen years old, arrested on suspicion of committing last night's robbery at Nebula's City Bank."

Johnson leaned forward, his eyes piercing through Gene. "Alright, Mr. Starwind, let's get down to business. Could you please recount the events of the crime that occurred on the evening of Monday, November 18th?"

Gene hesitated for a moment before beginning. He detailed his plan to break into Nebula's City Bank, how he had accessed the vault, what the safe contained, and how much money he had taken. Strangely, none of this seemed to particularly interest the detective.

Johnson leaned back, crossing his arms. "You seem rather calm for someone facing serious charges. Are you aware of the penalties for armed robbery?"

Gene's heart skipped a beat. "I haven't really thought that far ahead," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.

"Let me enlighten you," Johnson continued, "You're looking at a minimum of ten years in a federal prison. However, cooperation can go a long way in reducing that sentence."

Gene felt a glimmer of hope. "What kind of cooperation are we talking about?"

Johnson leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing. "Information, Mr. Starwind. Information that could help us catch bigger fish. Think about it."

Gene pondered the detective's words. Was this a way out? Or another trap? His mind was a whirlpool of conflicting emotions—fear, hope, and a desperate desire to escape his current predicament.

"Alright, Mr. Starwind, that will suffice for now. Thank you for your cooperation," Johnson said, awkwardly shaking hands with a weary Gene, still struggling in his cuffs. "We'll be in touch."

As the officers exited the room, Gene slumped back into his seat, pondering his grim prospects. "How am I going to get out of this?" he wondered.