The smoke faded.
Mark lay motionless—dead.
But the question burned louder than the gunshots.
Where did he go?
Where was the Mask Man?
He had killed Mark moments ago. He couldn't have gone far.
Despite the pain ripping through his body, Anthony forced himself upright.
And then—
He saw the mask.
The Mask Man stood ahead.
Anthony raised his gun and fired.
The shot missed.
The Mask Man turned and ran.
Without hesitation, Anthony gave chase. Emily followed close behind.
Anthony tried firing again—
Click.
A misfire.
The Mask Man was fast, vanishing into the woods. They all went deep inside that forest.
They burst out near a riverbank.
A dead end.
Mask Man was on the very end.
Anthony reached behind.
BANG.
A bullet tore into the Mask Man's knee.
He collapsed with pain.
Anthony stood over him, gun trained, breathing hard.
"There's nowhere left to run," Anthony said grimly. "It's over."
Excitement flashed across his face.
He said Emily without even turning,
-"Why didn't you call for backup? We've got him. This bastard is finished. "
Anthony added,
"The investigation ends here."
The Mask Man groaned—but there was no fear on his face.
No panic.
Instead—
A slow, mocking smile spread beneath the mask.
"Are you sure, officer?" he said calmly.
A pause.
"Look behind you."
Anthony turned.
And froze.
Emily stood there—gun raised.
Pointed at him.
Shock crashed through his veins.
Before he could speak—
BANG.
BANG.
Two shots rang out.
One tore through Anthony's arm, sending his weapon flying.
The second struck his thigh, dropping him hard to the ground.
Pain exploded. Blood soaked his uniform.
Emily stepped forward, eyes cold.
"This," she said, "is what you deserve, Anthony."
Anthony stared up at her—mind shattered.
What just happened?
How did everything collapse so fast?
The Mask Man's voice cut through the chaos—low, chilling.
"Now," he said, "the investigation ends here."