The room seemed to hold its breath as Jason turned for Lauren and Jimmy who were both standing by the corner of the room.
As he approached, Lauren froze instantly, turning her gaze to Roland who was still squatting down by the bed with the boy's bag in his possession.
“Roland,” Lauren called, voice breaking into ragged gasps. “Big brother, please don’t do this.”
Roland’s chest constricted. Before him was the time bomb counting down. He glanced into the bag and then at Jason. “Jason, take her. Get her out of here.”
“Roland,” Lauren rasped, but Jason moved in quickly. He grabbed her by the arm and led her towards the exit. Jimmy followed behind them. But even as they left the room, Lauren didn’t stop fighting back.
“Roland,” her voice sounded from outside the room, echoing in the hall
