Hana felt her heart race as the distant wail of sirens grew closer, the lights flickering ominously in the alley. “They’re coming!” she shouted, panic gripping her. “We need to hide!”
Jake grabbed her arm, urgency in his voice. “No, we can’t keep running forever. We have to face this head-on.”
“What do you mean, face it?” she snapped, her breath hitching in her throat. “You want me to just stand there and let them arrest me?”
“Not exactly,” he said, his eyes darting around for a plan. “But we need to think. If we run, they’ll have reason to chase us. If we stay calm and show we’re not a threat, maybe we can talk our way out of this.”
“Talk our way out?” Hana scoffed, incredulity spilling over. “You think they’ll listen to me? I’m a murder suspect, Jake! The Soul Ledger murderer! They won’t care what I have to say!”
“Look, I know it sounds crazy, but we have to try!” He squeezed her shoulder, grounding her for a moment. “You’re not just a criminal. You’re someone who can help expose the truth about what’s been happening. Use that!”
The sound of footsteps echoed closer, their boots hitting the pavement like a countdown. “Hana!” Jake said, desperation creeping into his voice. “Please!”
Taking a deep breath, she glanced toward the mouth of the alley, her mind racing. “Fine, but if this goes south, you better be ready to run.”
“Deal,” Jake said, determination in his eyes.
As the lights from the squad cars flooded the alley, Hana straightened her back, forcing herself to look composed. She could hear the agents shouting, their voices sharp and authoritative. “Hana Park! Come out with your hands up!”
“Okay,” she called out, her voice steadier than she felt. “I’m coming out!”
She stepped into the light, hands raised, Jake right beside her. The agents were ready, guns drawn, their expressions a mix of caution and determination.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Back away from the girl!” one officer shouted, his voice commanding.
“Wait!” Jake interjected, stepping slightly in front of Hana. “You don’t need to do this! She’s not a threat!”
“Stay where you are!” another officer barked. “We know what she’s capable of.”
“Yeah, and she’s also capable of helping you catch the real killer,” Jake replied, his voice steady despite the tension. “You have to listen!”
Hana felt the weight of their gazes, the scrutiny and suspicion hanging thick in the air. “I’m not here to fight,” she said, her tone more defiant than she intended. “I want to cooperate.”
The lead officer raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “Cooperate? After everything that’s happened?”
“I know I’ve made mistakes,” she admitted, her voice cracking slightly. “But I can help you understand the Soul Ledger and the real threat it poses. I can lead you to more answers.”
The officers exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. “We’re not taking any chances,” the lead officer replied, a hard edge to his voice. “Step back, and we’ll get you in cuffs.”
“Cuffs?” Hana echoed, incredulity boiling over. “Are you serious? You think I’m just going to let you take me in like some common criminal?”
“Unless you want us to use force, yes!” the officer retorted, frustration evident.
“Enough!” Jake shouted, his voice cutting through the tension. “If you want her cooperation, you have to show her some respect! She’s not just a suspect—she’s a key witness!”
“Witness to what?” the officer shot back, his skepticism unwavering. “More murder?”
“Yes! The Soul Ledger is dangerous, and I can prove it,” Hana insisted, desperation creeping into her voice. “But if you arrest me, you’ll lose that chance. I need to be able to move freely to gather information.”
The lead officer hesitated, glancing back at his team. “You expect us to just trust you after everything?”
“Trust has to start somewhere,” Jake replied, his voice steady but passionate. “Let her work with you. She can lead you to the evidence you need to take down whoever is really behind this.”
Finally, the officer took a deep breath, weighing his options. “Alright. But this doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. You will be in custody until we can verify your claims.”
Hana’s heart sank as the handcuffs were placed around her wrists, the cold metal a stark reminder of her situation. “This is a mistake,” she said, her voice low, but she forced herself to maintain eye contact. “You’re making a grave mistake.”
“Maybe so,” the officer replied, signaling to his team to lower their weapons. “But for now, this is how it has to be.”
Jake stepped back, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. “I’ll be right here, Hana. We’ll get through this.”
As they led her toward the squad car, Hana felt a surge of defiance rising within her. She wouldn’t let this be the end. There were bigger stakes at play, and she had to find a way to turn the tide in her favor.
“I’ll get out of this,” she whispered to herself, determination flaring in her chest. “I have to.”