The urgent command seemed to ripple through the room, freezing Derek mid-yank. His grip on me slackened, and I collapsed back onto the bed, gasping in pain yet feeling an overwhelming sense of relief wash over me. The voice belonged to a tall man in a dark uniform, an aura of composed determination radiating from him as he approached.
“Who the hell are you?” Derek sneered, glaring at the newcomer, his bravado unyielding even in the face of authority.
The man didn’t flinch. Instead, he flashed a badge. “Detective Caleb Moore, local law enforcement,” he introduced, his voice authoritative yet calm. “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave the premises immediately.”
