171: Facing The Enemy

Eric gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white, as he followed Mason's cryptic directions through the darkening landscape. The sun had already set, and shadows loomed large on the sides of the road. His phone, on speaker, rested in the holder on the dashboard, Mason's sinister voice crackling through the static.

"Turn left at the next junction," Mason instructed. "Drive another mile, then take the dirt road on your right."

Eric glanced in his rearview mirror. The police, in unmarked cars, maintained a safe distance, careful not to alert anyone to their presence. They were his silent backup, his safety net.

As nightfall blanketed the surroundings, Eric's anxiety grew. He navigated the twists and turns, the dirt road growing rougher as he approached the abandoned house. His headlights cast eerie shadows on the dilapidated structure ahead.

Eric parked the car and stepped out, his phone still pressed to his ear. Mason's voice guided him, directing him toward the entrance.

"Walk strai