The rumble of the Bureau's transport hummed through Trench's body as he sat in the back, glancing over the case file once more. The morning chill clung to the windows, fogging the glass as the vehicle sped northward. The sun was still low, casting long shadows across the winding highway that cut through the dense forest.
"Looks familiar, doesn't it?" Reyes said from the seat beside him. She leaned back, her leather jacket open, hands resting on the holster at her side. Her eyes, sharp and calculating as ever, flicked briefly toward Trench before returning to the trees outside.
"Too familiar," Trench muttered. His fingers traced the edges of the worn leather-bound notebook on his lap—the same notebook Ryan had handed him during his early days at the Bureau. Nine months ago, he had stumbled upon something strange in these very woods, and that encounter had pulled him into a world he barely understood. Now he was returning, but this time, he wasn't just a curious kid; he was a field agent.
"Anything standing out in the report?" Ryan's voice cut through the low hum of the engine. He sat across from them, his grizzled features partially illuminated by the dim light filtering through the window. Despite his calm demeanor, there was an edge to his voice—the tone of someone who had seen too much and wasn't eager to add more to the list.
"Three disappearances over the past week," Trench said, flipping through the pages. "All near the old rail yard. Witnesses reported seeing strange lights and hearing whispers before the victims vanished."
"Classic AWE signs," Reyes added. "Any word on what kind of anomaly we're dealing with?"
Ryan shook his head. "Nothing concrete. Could be another threshold opening, or it might be something entirely new. That's why we're here—to figure it out before things escalate."
The vehicle slowed as they approached a dirt road leading into the forest. The driver, a quiet agent named Delaney, brought them to a stop near an old trailhead. The air was crisp and cold, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth.
"Gear up," Ryan said as he opened the door. The three agents stepped out, the forest immediately pressing in around them with an oppressive stillness.
Trench adjusted the straps on his tactical vest and checked his service weapon. Reyes was already scanning the treetops, her eyes narrowing as if expecting something to leap out at them. Ryan retrieved a handheld Resonance Analyzer from his pack and powered it on. The device emitted a low hum, its screen flickering as it began to gather data.
"Stay close," Ryan instructed. "This area's known for disorienting effects during anomalies. We don't want anyone getting separated."
The team moved in formation, following the faint trail toward the old rail yard. The deeper they went, the thicker the trees became, their twisted branches forming a canopy that blocked out most of the light. Trench felt the familiar tension building in his chest—a mix of fear and anticipation that came with every mission. But this time, there was something else—a nagging sense of déjà vu.
"You alright?" Reyes asked quietly, falling into step beside him.
"Yeah," Trench replied, though he wasn't entirely sure if that was true. "Just... trying to piece things together. Last time I was here, I found that train car. It felt... wrong. Like it didn't belong."
Reyes nodded. "And now we're back, chasing another ghost story. Funny how life works."
They continued in silence for a few more minutes until the Resonance Analyzer let out a sharp beep. Ryan stopped, holding up a hand to signal the others.
"Picking up elevated resonance levels," he said, his eyes fixed on the screen. "We're close."
Ahead, the trees began to thin, revealing a clearing bathed in an eerie, pale light. In the center of the clearing stood the remains of an old train car, its exterior rusted and overgrown with vines. Trench's heart skipped a beat at the sight.
"That's it," he said quietly. "That's where it all started."
Reyes approached the train car cautiously, her weapon drawn. "Looks like it's been here a while. Are you sure this is the same one?"
"It disappeared after my first encounter," Trench said, stepping closer. "I don't know how, but... yeah, this is it."
Ryan scanned the area with the Resonance Analyzer. "Resonance levels are spiking. Whatever's causing the anomaly, it's centered around this train car."
Suddenly, the air grew heavy, and a low hum filled the clearing. The ground beneath their feet vibrated subtly, as if responding to an unseen force. Reyes tightened her grip on her weapon, her eyes darting around.
"We've got company," she said.
From the shadows of the forest, dark, shifting forms began to emerge. Their shapes were humanoid, but their features were blurred and indistinct, as if they were only partially formed.
"Hostiles!" Ryan barked. "Form up!"
Trench raised his weapon, heart pounding. The creatures moved closer, their movements jerky and unnatural. As one lunged toward him, he fired a controlled burst, the bullets tearing through its form and causing it to dissolve into wisps of dark energy.
"Keep them back!" Ryan shouted, firing at another creature. "Reyes, get the Analyzer synced with the train car. We need to contain this!"
"On it!" Reyes responded, moving toward the car while Trench and Ryan provided cover. She knelt by the rusted frame, attaching the Resonance Analyzer to the side. The device emitted a high-pitched whine as it began to sync with the anomaly.
Trench fired again, taking down another creature. "How much longer?"
"Almost there!" Reyes said, her fingers flying over the controls. The train car began to glow faintly, its outline shimmering as the Analyzer worked to stabilize the anomaly.
With a final pulse, the Resonance Analyzer emitted a wave of energy that spread through the clearing. The remaining creatures let out distorted screeches before dissolving into nothingness. The hum in the air faded, and the clearing fell silent once more.
"Anomaly contained," Reyes said, standing and wiping sweat from her brow. "That was too close."
Ryan lowered his weapon, scanning the area one last time before turning to Trench. "Good work, both of you. But something tells me this isn't over."
Trench nodded, his gaze fixed on the now-stabilized train car. "Yeah. We've stopped it for now, but whatever's out there... it's still watching."
Reyes placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll be ready. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together."
As the team prepared to head back to the Oldest House, Trench couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The forest was quiet again, but he knew it wouldn't stay that way for long. Something was out there, waiting.
And next time, it wouldn't be so easy to stop.