Years ago.
The Bleak.
Jackson Cade stands in front of a dirty alleyway, service pistol at the ready as he peers into the darkness, unable to see into the shadows. He points his weapon into the shadows but stops where he stands, seemingly unable to move. He takes a shaky breath, gritting his teeth, his heart pounding in his ears as a sense of dread washes over him.
“What’re you waiting for, officer? Get in there!” A voice from behind him forcefully pulls him out of his own head. Cade glances back to come eye to eye with Captain Riggs. The senior officer doesn’t even flinch as he approaches the alleyway. “You need to get in there and take that bastard down. We have him cornered, it’s now or never.”
“I can’t see down the alley, sir. He could get the drop on us. He’s violent, he’s deranged, if I can’t guarantee-“
“Enough, Cade.” Riggs shakes his head, his rifle still trained on the darkness. “I don’t care how scared you are of him, Jackson. The man in those shadows, the monster sitting in the darkness? There’s blood on his hands, Cade. People died, lives were lost, and now all you can think about is just how big and bad he is?”
Jackson stands still, swallowing dryly before meekly shaking his head. “I’m… I could be next. You could be next, sir. Even just knowing he’s down there makes my blood run cold.”
Riggs once again merely shakes his head, placing a hand on Jackson’s shoulder. “That’s the point, Cade. One of us could be next, but that’s why we’re APD. If we don’t put our lives on the line, then who will? This blood covered freak? If no one takes the weapon out of his hand, if we don’t go in there and cut his life short, then he’ll go out of his way to cut down as many people as he can. You can’t be afraid of him, Jackson.”
“But-“
“But nothing. The more you fear him, the more you worry that he’ll win? The stronger he is. If he’s in your head then he doesn’t need to fight you to win, Cade. But if you march in there and take him on? Show him you aren’t afraid? He’ll be on the back foot. These monsters thrive on you thinking they’ve already won. Don’t give him that power.”
As Riggs speaks, the sound of maniacal giggling echoes out from deep within the alleyway. Jackson pulls the hammer back on his pistol, furrowing his brow. “It’s not just him or us. It’s him or every innocent in Arcadia.”
“Exactly.” Riggs smirks, backing away. “Get in there and take him down. Like I taught you. By the book.”
With a final nod of the head Jackson rushes into the alleyway!
THUD!
CRACK!
The sounds of combat are quick and intense, Jackson letting out a guttural yell!
BANG!
Silence.
…
…
After a moment, Riggs radio slowly crackles on his shoulder.
“This is officer Cade, badge number 4432. Hostile down. I repeat, hostile down.”