abandoned warehouse, the frantic, terrified breathing of the hostage, C

A life that ended in dis

er eyes wide and pleading. She was playing the part of the pure-

put, Davis. That's an or

was watching, an audience that would adore her for her bravery. She broke formati

t echoed through the warehouse. Chris Walker, a college k

ver in a

renching wails, as if she were the biggest victim. She collaps

ily," Officer Mark Riley

elp," she whimpered

manufactured sympathy. Rage, cold and hard, filled my chest. "You w

ear-streaked innocence. "Why are you so mea

ll and banged her head against it, not hard enough to do real damage

child. "That's enough, Emily. You're in shock." He then turned his cold eyes o

the media was having a field day. It was easier to blame the cold, no-nonsense v

reer was ruined. My name was mud.

opened

the warehouse, moments before everything went wrong. I coul

ng, her eyes filled with that same

her voice trembling with fake emotion. "My

exact same words. It w

t this

ep out of cover, I grabbed he

Sarah?" she hissed,

n, flanking the room from the opposite side, using the shadows as I' d been trained. Two shots, clean and

u're safe now," I sai

ing, but he

ward the rest of the team. Emily was standing where

led!" she shrieked the moment

is to the paramedics waiting outside.

to stop me. Her nails dug into my skin. "You ignored a fellow

didn't think about the consequen

n't see it coming. The slap e

the side. Her eyes w

trying to get the glory, or were you trying to g

right on cue, her lower lip began to tremble.

by the noise, rounded the corner. They saw Emily, tears streaming down her fa

ll, Sarah?"

-blown wail. It was the exact

at me. "Just because I questioned her methods. Are al

self-serving logic she was spewing to paint her

r again. Har

t cut through her fake crying and