The Man in the Red Hoodie
The night shift at the Dewfield Transit Station was usually quiet—lonely, even. But at 1:43 a.m., Officer Dana Reyes knew something was off the moment she stepped inside
M Mehran
The night shift at the Dewfield Transit Station was usually quiet—lonely, even. But at 1:43 a.m., Officer Dana Reyes knew something was off the moment she stepped inside.
The air felt wrong. Too still. Too expectant.
A janitor flagged her down immediately.
“Officer, thank God.” His hands shook so badly the mop clattered. “There’s a man on Platform C. He’s been here for three hours… just sitting. Not moving. Not speaking.”
“That’s not a crime,” Dana said gently.
“No, you don’t understand.” The janitor lowered his voice. “He’s wearing a red hoodie. The red hoodie.”
Dana froze.
The last time someone in a red hoodie appeared in Dewfield, a woman vanished. Before that, a college student. Police had no leads, no footage, no suspects—just witness descriptions of “a man in a red hoodie.”
A ghost. A rumor. A nightmare the town whispered about.
“You’re sure?” Dana asked.
“Positive.”
Platform C was at the far edge of the station—cold, dimly lit, a place where trains rarely stopped anymore. Dana’s boots echoed as she approached, hand brushing the holster at her hip.
Then she saw him.
Sitting on the metal bench.
Hunched forward.
Red hoodie pulled low over his face.
Still as a statue.
“Sir?” Dana called.
No response.
She stepped closer. “Sir, this station is closing soon. I need you to look at me.”
The man slowly lifted his head.
His face was pale beneath the hood. Young. Maybe mid-twenties. Eyes hollow, fixed on her like he wasn’t fully present.
Dana steadied her breath. “Can you tell me your name?”
Silence.
He raised one hand and pointed to the far corner of the platform.
Dana’s pulse quickened.
“What’s over there?”
Another silence.
Then, in a voice hoarse from disuse:
“She’s waiting.”
Dana’s skin prickled. “Who?”
He whispered: “The girl.”
The missing girl from last winter had been wearing a red hoodie too. But they never found her. Never found anything.
“Where is she?” Dana asked, moving slightly closer.
He lifted his arm again, pointing insistently.
Dana followed his gaze.
A maintenance door.
Locked.
Unused for years.
Her instincts screamed.
“Stay here,” she ordered, though she doubted he’d move.
She approached the door.
The lock appeared dusty… yet the dust was smudged. Recently touched.
Dana keyed her mic. “Dispatch, I need backup at—”
Static.
She tried again.
Nothing.
The radio was dead.
Her heartbeat thudded in her ears. She drew her flashlight with one hand, her gun with the other, and pushed the door open.
Cold air swept over her.
The room beyond was dark except for her narrow beam of light. Old mechanical equipment lined the walls. Pipes groaned overhead.
Then she saw it.
A shoe.
Small. White. Child-sized.
Dana’s chest tightened.
She stepped inside.
“Hello?” she called. “Is someone in here?”
A whisper answered from the darkness.
“Help…”
Dana swung the light toward the voice.
A girl sat on the floor, pressed against the wall, rope around her wrists. Dirt smeared her face. Her eyes, wide and frightened, reflected the beam.
Dana rushed forward, kneeling. “I’m Officer Reyes. You’re safe now.”
The girl shook her head violently. “No. No, no, you don’t understand. He’s coming back.”
Dana’s stomach dropped. “Who?”
Before the girl could answer, footsteps sounded behind them.
Heavy.
Deliberate.
Dana jumped to her feet, raising her weapon.
But it wasn’t the man in the hoodie.
It was another man—older, broad-shouldered, dressed in a maintenance uniform that didn’t belong to any active employee. A ring of keys jingled at his belt.
His eyes glinted with recognition.
And hunger.
“You weren’t supposed to find her yet,” he said calmly.
Dana kept her gun steady. “Hands where I can see them.”
He didn’t move.
He just smiled.
“You came alone. Good.”
In one quick motion, he swung a wrench.
Dana dodged, the blow whistling inches past her head. She fired a warning shot, sparks flying as the bullet ricocheted off metal.
The man lunged again.
Dana tackled him, both of them crashing to the concrete floor. Pain shot up her arm as he slammed the wrench against her wrist, knocking her gun loose.
He reached for her throat.
Then—
A shout.
“STOP!”
The man in the red hoodie stood in the doorway, chest heaving, eyes wild.
The attacker snarled. “You were supposed to keep watch.”
The hooded man’s voice cracked. “I told you—I can’t do this anymore.”
“You don’t get to quit.”
The attacker moved for Dana again.
But the hooded man stepped between them.
“Run,” he whispered to her.
Dana didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the girl’s hand and bolted.
Behind her, the sound of a struggle erupted—grunts, swings, a crash of metal. She didn’t look back.
They burst onto the platform. Dana slammed the emergency alarm, sending sirens wailing across the station.
Backup arrived within minutes.
But by the time officers stormed the maintenance room, both men were gone.
Only blood and broken metal remained.
And a single red hoodie on the floor.
---
Hours later, as the girl was treated and taken into protective care, Dana stood alone on Platform C.
Two men.
One monster.
One victim forced to help him.
The town would always remember the red hoodie as a symbol of fear.
But now, Dana wondered if it had also been a quiet cry for help.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Muhammad Mehran and writers in Criminal and other communities.
The Shadow on Bramble Street
M Mehran The night Mrs. Ellery disappeared, Bramble Street held its breath. Detective Rowan Pierce arrived at the scene just past 11 p.m., greeted by the glow of porch lights and neighbors gathered like moths. The Ellery house—small, yellow, immaculate—looked painfully ordinary for the horrors whispered about it.
By Muhammad Mehranabout a month ago in Criminal
Minneapolis ICE Shooting Updates
In recent weeks, Minneapolis has found itself at the center of a growing legal and political controversy following a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. What initially appeared to be a straightforward federal use-of-force investigation has evolved into a broader dispute between state authorities and federal officials, raising serious questions about transparency, jurisdiction, and accountability. The most significant development so far is the state’s claim that it has been denied access to key evidence related to the incident. As public attention intensifies, the case is no longer just about what happened during the shooting. It is increasingly about who controls the facts, who gets to investigate them, and how justice is supposed to function when federal and state systems collide. What We Know About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. ICE agents were reportedly conducting official duties when gunfire erupted, resulting in injuries and immediate emergency response. Federal authorities confirmed the incident and stated that internal protocols were activated, including an automatic review by federal oversight bodies. From the beginning, details were limited. Officials cited the ongoing nature of the investigation and concerns about officer safety. This lack of information, while not unusual in federal cases, quickly became a point of friction for Minnesota state authorities, who argued that the public deserved clarity and that the state had a legal role to play in examining the incident. State Authorities Push for Transparency Minnesota state officials, including investigators and legal representatives, formally requested access to evidence connected to the shooting. This evidence reportedly includes body camera footage, surveillance recordings, forensic reports, and internal communication logs from the operation. According to state representatives, these requests were either delayed or denied outright. The state has since gone on record stating that it cannot independently assess the legality of the shooting without full access to the materials. This denial has fueled concerns that federal agencies are operating without sufficient external oversight, especially in incidents involving potential civilian harm. State leaders emphasized that their position is not adversarial by default. Rather, they argue that cooperation between federal and state agencies is essential to maintain public trust, particularly in communities already wary of immigration enforcement. Federal Response and Jurisdictional Limits Federal officials, for their part, maintain that the investigation falls squarely under federal jurisdiction. ICE operates as a federal agency, and shootings involving federal officers are typically reviewed internally and, when appropriate, by federal prosecutors or inspectors general. In statements released following the controversy, federal representatives cited legal restrictions that limit the sharing of evidence during an active investigation. They also stressed that premature disclosure could compromise witness testimony or investigative integrity. This explanation, while legally grounded, has done little to ease state frustrations. Critics argue that “ongoing investigation” has too often been used as a blanket justification for withholding information, even in cases where transparency could prevent misinformation and public unrest. Community Reaction and Public Trust The Minneapolis community has responded with a mix of concern, anger, and fatigue. For many residents, particularly in immigrant and marginalized communities, the shooting has reopened long-standing fears about aggressive enforcement tactics and lack of accountability. Community leaders and advocacy groups have called for the immediate release of non-sensitive evidence, arguing that transparency is a prerequisite for trust. Peaceful demonstrations and public forums have highlighted a broader demand: that no law enforcement agency, federal or otherwise, should be beyond scrutiny. Local officials echoed these concerns, noting that Minneapolis has spent years attempting to rebuild trust between residents and law enforcement. The perception that evidence is being withheld threatens to undermine that progress. Legal Implications of Denied Evidence From a legal standpoint, the state’s inability to access evidence raises complex questions. While federal agencies do have authority over their operations, states also have a responsibility to investigate deaths or injuries occurring within their borders. Legal experts suggest that this dispute could set a precedent. If states are routinely blocked from reviewing evidence in federal use-of-force cases, it may limit their ability to pursue independent inquiries or bring charges under state law when applicable. Some analysts believe the issue could ultimately be resolved in court, with judges determining whether the state has a legal right to access certain materials. Such a ruling could have national implications, influencing how future federal-state conflicts are handled. Political Dimensions of the Case The Minneapolis ICE shooting has also taken on a political dimension. Immigration enforcement remains a deeply divisive issue, and incidents like this tend to amplify existing ideological divides. State officials critical of federal immigration policies view the denial of evidence as symptomatic of a larger lack of accountability. Meanwhile, supporters of strict federal enforcement argue that state interference could hinder effective operations and put officers at risk. This political tension complicates the path forward. What might otherwise be a procedural disagreement risks becoming a symbolic battle over immigration, law enforcement authority, and states’ rights. What Happens Next? As of now, the investigation continues under federal oversight, while the state explores its legal options. Negotiations between state and federal officials have reportedly not been ruled out, suggesting that a compromise could still be reached. Potential next steps include limited evidence sharing under confidentiality agreements, congressional inquiries, or judicial review. Each option carries its own risks and consequences, both legally and politically. What remains clear is that public pressure is unlikely to fade. Minneapolis residents, like many Americans, are demanding clarity, fairness, and accountability in cases involving law enforcement use of force. A Broader Conversation About Accountability The Minneapolis ICE shooting is no longer just a single incident under investigation. It has become a lens through which broader issues are being examined: the balance of power between federal and state authorities, the limits of transparency, and the role of public oversight in a democratic society. Whether or not the state ultimately gains access to the evidence, the controversy has already sparked an important conversation. How that conversation translates into policy, practice, or reform remains to be seen, but its impact will likely extend far beyond Minneapolis. In the end, accountability is not only about assigning blame. It is about ensuring that systems function openly and fairly, especially when lives are affected. The outcome of this case may help determine how well those principles are upheld in the future.
By Saboor Brohi 3 days ago in Criminal
Sabrina Carpenter Accused of Copying Tiffany A♡ Luna’s Crown Logo—While Her Federal Plagiarism Case Spirals Into Further Career Ruin
Sabrina Carpenter’s pop princess image is crumbling under the weight of what is now being described as one of the most damaging plagiarism cases in music history. The Disney-born starlet is not only battling a brutal federal lawsuit over her song Espresso, but now faces new backlash after debuting a crown into her updated logo June 6, 2025 eerily similar to Tiffany A♡ Luna’s crown, which was quietly unveiled just weeks before — the same Tiffany A♡ Luna currently suing her in federal court.
By Dena Falken Esq7 days ago in Criminal
Fair Exchange, No Robberies
Dark Memoirs - Index There are at least two kinds of people in the world: those who write this half-arsed kind of intro to a story that looks to separate the rare and the norm, and those who realise it's an overused framing device and don't.
By Paul Stewart6 days ago in Chapters
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.