The dim glow of dawn barely pierced the thick clouds over New York City as Zachariah Trench, still feeling the effects of last night's celebration, trudged through the halls of the Federal Bureau of Control. His 21st birthday had been unexpectedly good—better than he'd imagined. For a brief moment, he had felt something akin to peace. But peace was fleeting in a place like the FBC.
"Looking a little rough there, birthday boy." Five years older than Trench and like the sister he pretended he didn't wish he had growing up, Sophia Reyes's voice carried a teasing edge as she joined him in the corridor. Her leather jacket was slung casually over one shoulder, and her ever-watchful eyes were already scanning their surroundings.
"I thought field agents got the day off after turning legal," Trench muttered sarcastically, rubbing his eyes.
"Not when there's a case this big," Reyes said, handing him a cup of coffee. "Ryan's waiting in the briefing room. Let's go."
Paul Ryan, their grizzled mentor and senior field agent, stood in front of a projection screen, arms crossed. He looked as composed as ever, though his eyes betrayed a hint of weariness. "Glad you two made it. Hope you enjoyed the night off, Trench, because today we're diving back into the deep end."
Trench sipped his coffee, feeling the caffeine begin to work its magic. "What's the case?"
Ryan clicked a remote, bringing up an image of a rural town surrounded by dense forest. "We've received reports of an anomaly upstate. Disappearances, strange lights, altered perceptions of reality. Classic AWE symptoms."
Trench's mind flashed back to his own encounter with a train car in those very woods nine months ago—an event that had changed the course of his life forever. He exchanged a glance with Reyes, who seemed to catch the significance.
"Sounds like something right up our alley," Reyes said. "What's the plan?"
Ryan handed them both encrypted tablets containing detailed mission briefs. "We're heading out in an hour. This one's big enough that the Bureau wants a senior agent tagging along, so I'll be coming with you. Keep your gear light, but be ready for anything."
As the briefing ended, Trench felt a familiar mix of anticipation and anxiety. His mind was already racing, imagining what kind of anomaly awaited them. He was no longer the uncertain recruit he had been nine months ago, but every mission with the FBC had a way of keeping agents on edge. Reyes clapped him on the back as they made their way to the armory.
"Ready for round two, partner?"
Trench smirked. "As ready as I'll ever be."