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?!”
“I get it; I really do. I don’t have a daughter, but if someone hurt my sister like this, I wouldn’t stand for
knife against Marilla’s neck trembling, its cold blade biting
here, that those five guys hurt her, right?
memories exploded in her mind, ringing in
“You idiot! Retard! Moron! You think you belong in school? Can you even understand what
at a normal school; she belongs in an
her – she’s crazy! Who knows,
eyes tightly,
mistake, but don’t compound it with another. Your daughter’s still fighting for her life in the hospital. You should be there for her, not pursuing revenge that will only lead you to
her sake. She’ll carry not only the pain of being bullied but also the burden of your crime. How can she bear it, so young and already so wounded? She’s
possessed the negotiation skills of a seasoned detective. His words were simple and powerfu!, striking at the
he was sincere – a lethal weapon in any negotiation.
with the
expected Aaron’s heartfelt appeal
that bull! You cops talk
deal with those five beasts more than once! Just because
hearing that, Aaron felt a surge of righteous anger. The Elmsworth Academy of Fine Arts was outside their jurisdiction; only now, with a criminal case, had they been called to
I understand
her frail voice shedding its prior terror for a
taken aback, “What did
the shadow, and find justice,” Marilla struggled
a frail girl like
Marilla Abernathy from the Abernathy family. Don’t believe me? Check your phone right
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