Josh sneered, grabbing a thick stick from the porch, weathered and dark. “You think you’re their savior?” he spat, stalking forward. “You should’ve stayed out of it.” His knuckles whitened around the wood. He lifted it, steps quickening, arm poised to strike—and then the world erupted in red and blue.
Sirens wailed through the midday quiet, police cruisers screeching to a stop. The flashing lights flooded the driveway, spilling into the backyard. Josh froze mid-stride, eyes wide, breath hitching. In a split-second decision, he turned and bolted toward the back door—but two officers were already there, waiting.