Stick to the plan

"I'm revealing this to you and only you because I want to give you reassurance. I can help you."

Help.

All this time, Stephen had thought he wouldn't get any help. After all, those people had ambushed him right in front of the police station, erasing all hope for him from the get-go. With how things went down, Stephen believed he was up against a very powerful force.

And if he didn't listen, his entire world would come crashing down.

They cornered him at his most desperate moment, and taking advantage of this desperation, they extinguished any sight of hope. It was as though Stephen had fallen into a hypnotic trance, unable to see a way out anymore.

But hearing that word, "Help," made him wonder if it was possible.