Chapter 1: The Truth

The police brought young Stan back into that room once again.For him, the place was already familiar. This was the third time he had been interrogated. Even though his story had never changed, they were still trying to find some inconsistency—anything that would allow them to dismiss what had happened.“What do you want from me?” Stan said as he sat down in the uncomfortable chair. “I’ve already told you everything I know.”“We don’t understand why you keep sticking to the same version of events,” one of the officers replied. “What you’re describing is basically impossible.”The policeman prepared several cups of coffee. He already knew Stan liked his coffee with milk and plenty of sugar.“I repeat, that’s exactly what happened,” Stan said calmly. “But we can go through it again if you want.”He leaned back, getting comfortable, ready for the interrogation to begin.“Your name is Stan Wailf. You are a member of the municipal police of León, Guanajuato,” said the officer holding a yellow folder. “According to your report, you entered the site known as the former military barracks on the outskirts of the city. You were selected as part of the rescue team tasked with securing the kidnapped girl.”Gilberto read from the report while comparing it with the statements already on record.“Gilberto, you know I wasn’t alone,” Stan replied as he took a sip of coffee. “If you’ve already questioned the officers who went in with me, there shouldn’t be any inconsistencies in what I’m about to say.”“We’ve spoken to them several times already,” said the other officer, finally sitting down in front of Stan. His expression showed exhaustion. “Honestly, we’re tired. Just say it was an accident and we can be done with this.”“Alright, Stan,” Gilberto said firmly. “Tell us your version of events.”Stan closed his eyes, organizing his thoughts. He wanted to recount everything exactly as it had happened—no mistakes, no contradictions. One wrong word could get the case buried and cost him his badge.“On Saturday, October 18th of this year, we received a kidnapping report. All available units were dispatched to the location where the suspects were believed to be hiding. We surrounded the area and prepared an infiltration strategy.”As he spoke, Stan glanced at the camera placed between the two officers. The red recording light blinked hypnotically. After a brief breath, he continued.“Getting inside wasn’t difficult. Do you know how easy it is to break a couple of old, rotting wooden boards? We lifted the window planks with a knife and entered quietly. The streetlight barely reached inside, so we had to use our flashlights to avoid tripping. We had to be careful—if the kidnappers noticed us, the entire operation would’ve been compromised.”Gilberto interrupted him impatiently.“Yes, yes, we know all that. You searched the building looking for the girl. That part is already in the report and it’s irrelevant.”The other officer looked visibly annoyed.“Cut the bullshit,” he said sharply. “Tell us what really happened inside. The gunshots. What you and your team did.”“While securing the area, we heard two gunshots,” Stan continued. “We rushed toward the sound. One of the kidnappers came running toward us at full speed, like he was fleeing from something. We assumed he had fought with his accomplice and escaped after the confrontation. I tackled him and put him in cuffs.”“So you neutralized one of the suspects?” the officer asked, clearly probing for weak points in his testimony.“Yes,” Stan replied. “My teammates drew their weapons to prevent any casualties. When we tried to take him back inside so he could tell us where his accomplice and the girl were, he refused completely. He was terrified.”Stan lowered his voice, imitating the man’s panic.“‘I don’t want to go back in there! Please! Anything but that!’”After he gave us the exact location, we called for backup and moved in to capture the second suspect.”“Then explain this,” Gilberto said coldly. “How did three soldiers die inside? Why did they go in? Did they kill each other?”Stan adjusted his glasses and looked straight at them.“Let me finish the sequence of events first.”He took a breath.“After securing the suspect, several soldiers arrived almost immediately to offer support. We agreed and went down the stairs. The basement was pitch black. I scanned the area with my flashlight until I found her—the girl, tied to a chair. She looked weak. It was devastating to see.”He paused briefly, then continued.“I removed the tape from her mouth so she could breathe and cut the ropes on her arms and legs. Meanwhile, the soldiers found the body of the other kidnapper. His head was completely crushed. They called it in so forensic services and an ambulance could be dispatched.”Stan swallowed.“We thought it was over. We were wrong.”The girl looked at me in pure terror and screamed, ‘Behind you!’”“When I turned around, I barely saw it—a hunched shadow staring straight at me. I grabbed the girl and prepared to run. We thought there was a third suspect.”“It was worse than that.”“One of the soldiers shot it in the head. The bullets went straight through—but it didn’t react. Then it lunged at him and crushed his skull with a single blow.”“The other two opened fire. I ran, carrying the girl, out of the building. As I escaped, I heard my teammates screaming.”Stan’s voice trembled slightly.“That’s everything. The full version. The girl was taken to the hospital and treated for malnutrition and severe psychological trauma. And now I’m here, being interrogated over something you refuse to believe.”He exhaled deeply. His coffee was empty.Silence filled the room.“Same story as always,” Gilberto muttered, pressing his fingers against his temple. “How long is this going to continue?”Then, a knock echoed against the door.Knock. Knock.All three men turned toward the tall silhouette standing outside.“Come in,” Gilberto said.“Excuse me for interrupting,” said the newcomer. “You need to let Stan go.”It was the commander of the León municipal police.“Why?” Gilberto asked sharply.“I’m just following orders,” the commander replied. “A video of the incident leaked online. It confirms everything. The witness testimonies match perfectly.”He hesitated.“But there’s a bigger problem now.”Gilberto cursed under his breath. Exhausted, he stood up and left with his partner.“As for you, Stan,” the commander said, turning to him, “you’ll be placed on leave. You’ll receive psychological support and be reassigned. The public is pressuring us after the video. I don’t know what’s coming next. Just be ready.”Stan nodded.As he walked out, he noticed the way other officers stared at him—like he was something strange, something dangerous. He lowered his head and walked toward the exit, heading home.