Invisible string | Harlan Briggs

Chapter 012

The words "Everett Lang" cut through the thick tension in the room, as Officer Miller's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

"You're up, let's go!" Officer Miller barked, his eyes narrowing on Everett with a predatory gleam. His presence alone seemed to drag the air from the room, heavy and suffocating.

Aurora's heart sank, her stomach twisting into a knot as Everett stood to comply, his steps stiff and hesitant. But it was the sound of Harlan's soft, comforting voice that pulled her attention away from the looming interrogation.

Harlan's gaze softened the moment she approached, the streaks of tears on her face instantly catching his eye. Without a word, he wrapped her in his arms, his warmth surrounding her like a shield against the cold indifference of the officers. His embrace was steady, grounding. "I'm here if you want to talk about it," he whispered, his voice low and filled with tenderness.

Aurora clung to him, her chest tightening, the weight of everything overwhelming her in that one moment. His scent, the solidness of him, was the only thing that made her feel somewhat whole again. She felt broken, cracked under the pressure of it all, but with him, she didn't feel so alone.

"Don't let them take me," she whispered into his chest, her voice barely above a breath. Her hands, clenched tight on the fabric of his shirt, felt like they were the only thing holding her together. She could feel his heart beat beneath her ear, steady and sure.

Harlan kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering for a moment longer than necessary, before pulling back slightly, his fingers brushing gently over her cheeks, wiping away the remnants of tears. "I won't let anyone hurt you. Not now. Not ever."

Before she could respond, the group was ushered into separate rooms for interrogation. The door to her own room slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing in her ears like a sudden jolt of electricity. She stood frozen for a moment, eyes scanning the sterile, oppressive space. The hum of a fluorescent light above buzzed softly, and the distant murmur of voices from the other rooms made her pulse race.

Her heart drummed in her chest as she finally turned to face the one person she didn't want to deal with—the man who'd been lurking around her all night, Officer Miller. She could feel his eyes on her, burning into her skin like hot coals, and it made her skin crawl. Fear coiled in her stomach, but she pushed it down, fighting to maintain control.

She refused to let him see her break.

Her fingers twitched nervously by her side as she forced herself to breathe slowly. She could feel his gaze like a pressure on her skin, but she straightened her back, her chin lifting, meeting his eyes head-on. Her expression hardened into something cold, calculating. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. Not again. Not after everything she'd been through.

She stared into his eyes, the challenge clear. Testing him. Provoking him. Would he step over that line? Would he dare?

The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to read her, trying to find the cracks in her resolve. But Aurora refused to let him see it. She wasn't that vulnerable anymore. Not with him. Not with anyone.

"Are you just going to stare at me, or do you actually want to ask me something?" Her voice came out rougher than she intended, a sharp edge of defiance threading through her words. She kept her stance solid, her back straight, daring him to make the first move.

Miller didn't respond right away. He simply stood there, eyes locked onto hers, calculating. It was as if he were waiting for her to flinch, to give him some kind of opening. But Aurora wouldn't let him. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of making her feel small.