The layout of the substation was intriguing. From the outside, it looked like a two-story building, but inside, there was no actual second floor. Instead, the interior opened up vertically like a warehouse.
The building was divided into several areas, according to a layout map hanging on the wall in the guardroom. The areas included a high-voltage room, a medium-voltage room, and a low-voltage room, along with spaces for capacitors and a control center.
Between the high-voltage and low-voltage rooms was the main transformer, the area Reed was most interested in inspecting.
The three of them walked down the passageway, with Jack leading the way. Even though it was probably safe inside, he followed the most important rule of horror films: never leave anyone alone.
Reed followed behind, seeming distracted. After some hesitation, he finally made up his mind to speak.
"I think I saw Jeremy and Agent Moss on the surveillance footage earlier."
Jack and JJ both stopped in their tracks and turned to look at him, speaking in unison, "Are you sure?"
However, their concerns were different. Jack's question was, "Was he with those monsters?"
JJ, on the other hand, was focused on the hostage: "Is Agent Moss still alive?"
Reed didn't know which question to answer first. He nodded, then shook his head.
"The footage wasn't very clear, and he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, so I only saw part of his face. But he definitely wasn't one of the mutants. The monsters were dragging a naked woman, who looked a lot like Agent Moss. When they left, they didn't take her with them."
As Reed spoke, Jack gently pushed open the safety door at the end of the passage. A burnt, protein-like stench hit them. Jack shone his flashlight inside and sighed.
"You weren't wrong, everyone. We've found Agent Moss."
Lying on the ground in front of the main transformer were two familiar figures—familiar in the worst possible way. Their bodies were still smoking from being electrocuted.
Two corpses lay on their backs, their limbs curled up, but their faces were still somewhat recognizable. The female was Jill Moss, and the male was likely the substation guard, based on his burnt security uniform.
Jack had already moved the bodies aside using an insulated pole, and Agent Moss's body was covered with a jacket that Rossi had taken off and laid over her when he arrived.
After confirming that the substation was safe, and discovering Agent Moss's body, the three on watch outside quickly joined them in the transformer room.
The BAU team stood somberly, staring at the bodies. Although they had been mentally prepared for this, seeing it in person still weighed heavily on their hearts.
"So, this is the final chapter Jeremy wanted to complete?"
Even psychologists couldn't always understand the human mind. Just as Jack never understood why anyone would idolize killers or serial murderers, none of them, including the seasoned Rossi, could comprehend Jill Moss's choices. Why would an FBI agent with such a promising future end up like this?
Hodge tapped Rossi on the shoulder, using his signature method to shift the team's focus.
"The case isn't over yet. We still need to figure out what the relationship is between Jeremy Andrews and these mutants. Why did he lead them to attack this town?"
"I think the answer lies at the police station in the center of town. That's where they seem to be heading," Jack said, handing the walkie-talkie to Hodge. He briefly recounted his conversation with the female sheriff, Carter, and explained why he hadn't revealed their identities.
Hodge nodded, approving of Jack's decision. He then turned to Reed, who was inspecting the equipment.
"Dr. Reed, is it possible to restore the power?"
Maybe it was because they'd had too much bad news recently, but Reed finally had some good news for once.
"They only damaged a few breakers. I can restore power to most of the town in about half an hour."
Hodge thought for a moment, then decisively turned to Jack. "You're the only one here who's fought these monsters. Since you're planning to rescue the people at the police station, what's your plan?"
Jack did have a plan, otherwise, he wouldn't have repeatedly asked the sheriff about the town's high ground earlier.
He pulled out the tourist map Reed had marked with several circles. "The substation is located at the southern edge of the town, where we are now. From here, you can drop me off two streets away from the police station. I'll find a way to get up to the bell tower. As long as I don't alert the monsters before then, you can charge into the station once you hear my gunfire.
"The distance between the bell tower and the station is within the range of our wireless earpieces, so we can adjust the plan as we go. I'll cover you from the tower the entire time."
Hodge's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's your plan?"
Jack shrugged, his tone casual. "We don't know the exact situation in the town. There are too many variables, so the simpler the plan, the better. That Barrett MK22 has five spare magazines, which means that unless there are more than sixty monsters, I won't even need to reload. Of course, I'll bring a couple of extra boxes of ammo just in case."
Hodge was speechless at Jack's bravado.
"Fine, we'll go with your plan. Rossi and Emily will stay here to protect Reed and the substation. Leave the walkie-talkie with them, and once we've reached the police station and met with the sheriff, we'll signal you to turn on the power."
Rossi stepped forward to object. "It's enough with just me here. Let Emily go with you. The chance of those monsters coming back is low. Even if there's danger, Reed and I can hold out until you return. The stronger your firepower, the better."
Hodge thought it over and didn't object. Jack, however, was still worried. He gave the two of them a long list of reminders, telling them not to conserve ammunition, to always aim for vital areas, and to make sure to finish off any downed enemies. He rattled off every horror movie rule he could think of until an impatient Rossi kicked him out of the substation.
The Raptor started up again, with Emily now at the wheel. Hodge and JJ held assault rifles in the back seat, while Jack crouched in the truck bed, keeping watch as they drove slowly toward the town center.
The dark town looked like a ghostly abyss. The streets were deserted, and faint candlelight flickered occasionally from the gaps in the windows of the houses on either side of the road.
A piercing scream echoed from an unknown direction, followed by eerie, owl-like cries. The faint candlelight quickly vanished.
The few residents still in town had clearly sensed the danger. Wisely, they chose to hide in their homes, waiting for daylight to come.
At the corner of the street, the small body of a girl lay sprawled on the asphalt, her blood-soaked flashlight casting a strange red glow on the pavement.
An ogre stood over her, panting like a dog, its body jerking back and forth as it emitted a screeching noise like that of a night owl.
"PIU!"
The ogre's grotesque head suddenly exploded like an overripe tomato, spraying a mixture of red and white several meters around.
Its still-twitching body seemed confused as to why the nerve signals it had been receiving had suddenly stopped. After a few moments, it collapsed.
"Don't stop. That girl's already dead," Jack's voice came through the earpiece. Emily stiffened, wiping away the tears welling up in her eyes as she kept the car moving steadily, slowly passing the scene at the corner.
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