Recognition
“…That’s not possible,” he murmured under his breath, though the words carried just enough weight to ripple through the room.
The guards hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances.
“Chief?” one of them asked quietly.
But Chief Hale had already stepped forward, his focus locked entirely on me now, his posture straightening in a way that suggested not confusion, but realization.
“Lower your weapons,” he said.
There was a brief pause, as if the command hadn’t fully registered.
“What?”
His voice sharpened instantly.
“I said lower them.”
This time, there was no hesitation.
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