Chapter 1: The Extraction

Chapter 1: The Extraction
The heavy footsteps thundered closer, shaking the thin walls of the apartment corridor. Ryan’s eyes darted toward the door, his previous arrogance replaced by a sudden, sickening panic. He stepped back from my bed, his hands raised defensively.
"Sir, whatever you’re thinking..."
My father didn't flinch. He didn’t yell. He simply kept his eyes locked on Ryan as the front door was kicked open with shattering force. Four heavily armed local police officers swarmed into the room, their weapons drawn. My father had never planned to visit alone; a lifetime of military strategy had taught him to always have backup when walking into enemy territory.
"Get him against the wall!" an officer shouted.
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Ryan was thrown against the drywall, the handcuffs clicking shut over his wrists. Linda began to scream hysterically, clawing at the officers, only to find herself detained just as quickly. My father turned his back to them, gently pulling the blanket over my shoulders. He lifted me into his arms as easily as he had when I was a little girl.
"You're going home, Emily," he whispered. "You're safe now."