The return to the Bureau was tense. Trench and Reyes sat silently in the transport vehicle, the hum of the engine the only sound breaking the stillness. The strange encounter in Ashwood lingered in their minds. Trench's hand rested on his service weapon as though prepared for another attack at any moment.
"Something about that fog…" Reyes began, breaking the silence. "It felt alive. It wasn't just the AWE—we've seen plenty of those—but this? It was different."
Trench grunted in agreement, his gaze fixed on the dark road ahead. "That thing in the fog wasn't an echo or residue. It was aware. It was speaking directly to us."
"Whatever it is, it knows we're involved now," Reyes said. "We've got to contain it before it decides to escalate."
When they reached the Oldest House, they wasted no time briefing the Director. Emily Pope joined the meeting, her usual enthusiasm subdued as she reviewed the data Reyes and Trench presented.
"A fog that responds to human presence… and a sentient entity within it," Pope said, pacing the room. "This goes beyond our current understanding of AWEs. It might be an entirely new category."
"Or a new kind of threat," Trench said bluntly. "We can't risk underestimating it."
The Director nodded, his expression grave. "Pope, prepare a containment strategy. Reyes, work with the field team to map out any other affected areas near Ashwood. Trench, you'll lead the next expedition. We need answers, and we need them fast."
As the meeting adjourned, Trench felt the weight of the task ahead. He knew the fog wasn't done with them—and deep down, he feared the Bureau was stepping into something far bigger than they could handle.