"Entry in thirty seconds," the dispatcher’s voice crackled through their earpieces. "The suspects are barricaded in the East Wing. Intelligence confirms multiple civilians on-site. Watch your fire."
"Escort is here. Get them to the extraction point," Thorne ordered. "Entry in thirty seconds," the dispatcher’s voice crackled
They found the civilians huddled in a bathtub—a mother and two small children, eyes wide with a terror that no amount of police presence could quickly soothe. Watch your fire
"Zip him up!" Thorne barked, already moving toward the back bedroom. "Zip him up
As the team moved out, Thorne stayed back for a moment, looking at the chaos of the room. The adrenaline was fading, replaced by the familiar, crushing weight of the badge. They had saved them tonight. But the city was large, the shadows were deep, and the next call was always just a heartbeat away.