Chapter 683
The name echoed, tugging at the frayed edges of Aaron’s tightly wound heartstrings.
“Aaron, help me
Marilla’s pale face was streaked with tears, each one falling from her long lashes and landing on Aaron’s chest.
He wanted to comfort her, but any reassurance could provoke the hostage–taker, making her situation even more perilous.
Aaron met Marilla’s gaze before shifting his attention to the man’s bloodshot, terrifying eyes.
“Don, take a breath, buddy. The girl’s innocent. She doesn’t know your story, never met those five kids – she’s just an outsider here. How ‘bout this: I’ll be your hostage. Let her go, and you take me instead.”
Marilla’s teary eyes followed Aaron as he cautiously approached the captor, waves of guilt washing over her.
How could she have been so foolish? If only she’d waited patiently in the classroom for Lily to return. If only she hadn’t been so clumsy, maybe she could’ve outrun this.
But it was too late for what–ifs.
As Aaron edged closer, Don roared, “Don’t come any closer! I’ll slit her throat and jump, we’ll both be done for! Don’t think I can’t see right through you! You want to trade places and then fight me? You’re a cop; you think I can take you? I’ve already taken two lives what’s one more at this point?!”
daughter, but if
Marilla’s neck trembling, its cold blade
guys hurt
in shock as painful memories exploded in her mind, ringing in her ears, a relentless barrage of taunts.
“You idiot! Retard! Moron! You think you belong in school?
shouldn’t be at a normal school; she belongs in
away from her – she’s crazy! Who
spirits. In agony she shut her eyes tightly, her face ashen, her legs trembling, barely
mistake, but don’t compound it with another. Your daughter’s still fighting for her life in
the burden of your crime. How can she bear it, so young and already so wounded? She’s tried to end her pain once; do you want
his fellow officers looked on with admiration. Captain Ashbourne, though young, possessed the negotiation skills of a seasoned detective.
all, he was sincere – a
empathized with the perpetrator, treating them as
heartfelt appeal seemed to reach
that bull! You cops talk a
and my daughter, we’ve gone to the school authorities, to the cops, to deal with those five beasts more than once! Just because they come from influential families, they just walk out of the station without a scratch! How can I trust any of you?!”
was outside their jurisdiction; only now, with a criminal case, had they been called to the scene. in his district, such
I understand your
prior terror for a touch
aback, “What did you say?!”
your daughter walk out of the shadow, and find justice,” Marilla struggled against the suffocating fear, which made
can a frail girl like you do?!”
family. Don’t believe me? Check your phone right
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