Anderson stumbled out of the darkness, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for an escape. But there was none. Ethan's words echoed in his mind: "You'll turn yourself in. You'll confess to everything."
With a heavy heart, Anderson made his way to the police station. He walked through the doors, his head hung low in shame. The officer at the desk looked up, a mixture of curiosity and concern on his face.
"Can I help you?" the officer asked.
Anderson took a deep breath. "I need to confess," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The officer's expression changed, and he leaned forward. "What do you need to confess?" he asked.
Anderson's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm guilty," he said. "I'm guilty of corruption, of taking bribes, of covering up the truth. I'm guilty of causing harm to innocent people."
The officer's eyes widened, and he reached for the phone. "Let me get someone to take your statement," he said.
As the officer spoke on the phone, Anderson's mind wandered back to Ethan. He wondered what had driven him to seek revenge, and what had led him to spare Anderson's life. He knew that he didn't deserve mercy, but he was grateful nonetheless.
The officer finished his call and looked up at Anderson. "Someone will be with you shortly," he said.
Anderson nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He knew that he had a long road ahead of him, but he was ready to face the consequences of his actions.
As he waited, Anderson's thoughts turned to his family, his friends, and his colleagues. He wondered how they would react to the news of his confession. He wondered if they would stand by him, or if they would turn their backs on him.
The door opened, and a detective walked in. "I'm Detective James," he said. "I'll be taking your statement."
Anderson nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. He knew that he had a lot to answer for, and that the road to redemption would be long and difficult.
But he was ready. He was ready to face the truth, to accept the consequences of his actions, and to make amends. He took a deep breath, and began to tell his story.
The detective listened intently, his expression growing more and more serious as the story unfolded. Anderson told him everything, from the bribes to the cover-ups, from the corruption to the harm caused to innocent people.
As he spoke, Anderson felt a weight lifting off his shoulders. He felt a sense of relief, of finally being able to unburden himself of the secrets he had kept for so long.
The detective's expression was grim when Anderson finished speaking. "We'll need to investigate further," he said. "But based on what you've told me, it looks like you'll be facing serious charges."
Anderson nodded, feeling a sense of acceptance. He knew that he had done wrong, and he was ready to face the consequences.
As the detective took Anderson away, Ethan watched from the shadows. He knew that justice would be served, and that Anderson would pay for his crimes. But he also knew that it wouldn't bring back his family, and that the pain would never fully go away.
Ethan took a deep breath, feeling a sense of closure wash over him. He knew that he had done what was necessary, and that he had taken a step towards healing. But he also knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, and that he would have to find a way to move on without his family.
The darkness seemed to close in around him, and Ethan felt a sense of uncertainty. He knew that he would have to find a way to navigate the complex emotions that swirled inside him, and to find a way to heal. But for now, he just stood there, lost in thought, as the night wore on.