The cemetery was silent except for the low whistle of the morning wind. Mist hung between the leaning headstones, softening the edges of the world. Night Rider stood alone, helmet on, his shadow stretching across the cold ground. Before him rested a freshy dug grave, the dirt still raw and unsettled. No flowers. No mourners. Just the plain headstone, etched with the name few had ever spoken out loud.
Night Rider crouched down, staring at the grave with a tired weight in his eyes. His gloved hand lingered on the stone for a moment before setting down a small bundle of white flowers.
"So this is how far we've truly fallen," he murmured, his voice low, meant only for the dead. "To resort to killing just to get what you want... that isn't the right way. We use to fight for something bigger. But now..." He shook his head.
The silence pressed in.
"I've known you for a long time," he continued softly, "but I'm just now learning your name. Maybe that's the cruel part of this life. We all end up becoming shadows, faceless until it's too late. Let your death fuel my desire for change. Rest in peace, Grant Herd."
He straightened, placing a Redevils patch gently next to the flowers at the base of the headstone, then turned away. His boots crunched against the gravel path as he walked out of the cemetery, the morning light burning across the horizon.
Back in the police station, lights buzzed faintly above as Eli leaned against Kai's desk. Papers were scattered everywhere, case files, patrol reports, incident records. The room was half-empty, most officers out on their morning duties.
Eli lowered his voice. "Kai.. I can't shake it. Something's off with Rourke."
Kai leaned back into his chair, smirking at first, but as Eli explained, his grin faded, Eli laid out the puzzle piece by piece, the files room, the strange comments about the Ram Riders, the slip-ups that didn't make any sense. And with each word, Kai's sharp eyes narrowed further, like gears in his head turning fast.
Finally, Kai let out a long exhale. "You know... at first I thought you were just being paranoid. But when you put it like that... it clicks. Damn. It actually makes sense."
Eli's shoulders loosened with relief. "So you believe me now?"
"Yeah," Kai said, standing. "Enough to check this out for real. But let's not do it here. Too many ears."
The two slipped out of the station and into the bustling streets. The smell of fresh bread and coffee drifted toward them before they even reached the cafe.
Inside, Mira was already behind the counter, her usual spot. She waved when she saw them. "Hey! You guys look like you've been arguing all morning."
Kai chuckled. "More like unraveling a knot."
They sat at a corner table, and Eli dove right in, explaining the suspicions about Rourke. Mira leaned forward, eyes wide.
"Wow. I mean... it seems like something rebels would do," she admitted. "Putting a spy in the police force? It was bound to happen eventually."
"True," Kai said, tapping his fingers on the table. "But why just the files? What do they even need with them?"
"Exactly," Eli nodded quickly. "But here's the weird part. Rourke told me he doesn't think the Fangs invaded us. He said it was the Ram Riders."
Mira cut him off, blinking. "Wait, there's another rebel group involved?"
Kai nodded. "Yeah, there's a lot. But the Ram Riders. From what I've heard, they're actually not like the Redevils. They actually team up with the Fangs a lot. Rides, parties... they've got a strong alliance."
Eli added, "Rourke said the Ram Riders infiltrate us while the Fangs keep the heat on the outside. It's a coordinated thing. But..." He frowned. "If Rourke's actually part of it, why would he tell me that? Why give me something that makes him look suspicious?"
Kai rubbed his chin. "Maybe he wanted you to know. So he'd seem less like a suspect. But instead, he basically set himself up." He smirked faintly. "If you ask me, he tried too hard."
Eli chuckled. "You should be a detective, Kai."
"I'm not that smart," Kai replied with mock humility. "He just made it easy for us."
Mira leaned in, resting her chin on her hand. "What if you followed him? Like, when he leaves the station. That way, you'll know for sure, and you guys should tell the chief about your suspicions."
Kai and Eli exchanged a look, then nodded at her in unison. "Thanks, Mira," they said together, standing.
The chief's office smelled faintly of old wood and cigar smoke. He looked up from his paperwork as Kai and Eli entered.
After explaining to him the situation. "You really think one of my most trusted officers is a traitor?" he asked, half laughing.
"Yes, sir," Kai said firmly. "Just hear us out."
They laid out the evidence, the files, the footage, the timing. Eli backed him up, his tone sharper than usual. By the time they finished, the chief wasn't laughing anymore.
After getting the clear. "You boys better be right," he said after a pause. "If this turns out to be a misunderstanding, you'll hear from me. And it won't be a congrats."
Eli Straightened, meeting his father's eyes. "Don't worry, dad. We won't fail you. I trust me and Kai's intuition."
The chief's gaze softened for a moment, but only briefly. "It's sir here. Not dad."
"Yes, sir," Eli corrected quickly.
Later, back in the station, Kai and Eli scanned the halls. It didn't take long, Rourke appeared, walking briskly, his face unreadable.
"What are you boys doing?" he said suddenly, eyeing them. "Walking around like that draws attention, and not the good kind."
Kai and Eli forced awkward laughs and strolled casually, but as soon as he turned a corner, Kai muttered, "We found him."
They followed discreetly. Hours passed, patience wearing thin, until finally Rourke signed out and left the building. Kai and Eli hurried to Kai's car.
As they tailed him through the streets, Eli's pulse quickened. The city lights thinned, giving way to the darker, broken-down blocks near the border.
"Jackpot," Kai muttered.
They parked and crept close enough to hear. Through an open window, Rourke spoke to a man in a long coat, Morgan, the Ram Riders leader.
"There's these two boys in the station," Rourke said nervously. "I think they've figured me out."
Morgan slammed his fist on the table. "What?!"
"I'm sorry, Morgan. One of them saw me taking files the other day."
A pause. Then Morgan's voice dropped. "It's fine. You were going to get caught eventually. But this doesn't end us. Make sure those boys are gone."
Kai slipped a recorder back into his pocket, clicking it off. Eli glanced at him, startled, but Kai just whispered, "We need to go. Now."
The next day, Rourke approached Eli at his desk. "Patrol with me today. Safer if we're paired up chief's orders."
Eli's stomach sank. He nodded weakly, following him out.
They reached and abandoned building. Rourke smiled coldly. "Go on inside."
Eli hesitated but stepped in. A sudden kick slammed him to the ground. The room was basically pitch-black, shadows swallowing everything.
"I gotta say, kid," Rourke's voice echoed, "you had potential. But you figured me out. You could say your brain's the reason you're gonna die."
He pulled a knife, lunging. Eli scrambled, dodging in the dark, but eventually Rourke pinned him, blade hovering inches from his chest.
Then-
BANG. The door exploded inward.
Kai stood silhouetted, gun aimed. "Hands up. You're under arrest."
Rourke froze, then laughed. "You wouldn't pull the trigger. You're a rookie. Too scared."
Kai's eyes hardened. He fired a shot into the ceiling. Dust rained down. "Wanna bet?"
For the first time, Rourke looked rattled. Then he sneered. "I'll just frame you. Say you shot Eli. I'll be the hero who saved the day."
Kai smirked, pulling a small device from his pocket. He pressed play. The recorder's tiny voice filled the room, Rourke's own words, confessing to Morgan.
Rourke's face drained. "How did you-"
Kai steadied his aim. "Recorded it last night."
Rourke snapped, charging with the knife. Kai stood his ground-
CRASH! Glass shattered as armed officers stormed in, guns raised. the chief followed, voice booming. "Drop it, Rourke!"
Rourke staggered, disbelief etched across his face. "No... no, this can't be real."
Kai didn't flinch. "It's real. You just underestimated me."
The cops tackled Rourke, wrestling the knife away. The chief clapped Kai on the shoulder. "Well done, kid. Sharp work."
"Thank you, sir," Kai said, lowering the gun.
Eli scrambled up, brushing dust off, and grinned at Kai. "You saved my life man."
Kai smiled faintly. "Glad you're okay. Sorry I was late. Tracker on the car was acting up."
Eli laughed, shaking his head. "you really thought of everything, huh?"
Kai shrugged. "I'm not letting them win. Guess I'm a little competitive."
They both laughed, the tension finally breaking, as Rourke was dragged away in cuffs.
And just like that, The mask inside the station had fallen.