Page 51 of For Blood

Morgan's jaw clenched, a familiar anger rising in her chest.She knew all too well the corrosive power of injustice, how it could eat away at a person until there was nothing left but rage.But she'd fought against it, clawed her way back from that abyss.

Sarah, it seemed, had embraced it entirely.

Sarah's feral scream pierced the air as she lunged at Morgan, her nails raking across Morgan's forearm.The sudden pain caught Morgan off guard, and she stumbled back, barely maintaining her grip on Sarah's shoulders.

"You don't understand!"Sarah shrieked, twisting violently in Morgan's grasp."He knew!He knew and he said nothing!"

Morgan gritted her teeth, struggling to keep Sarah contained.The woman's strength was shocking, fueled by a raw, unhinged fury that seemed to have been brewing for years.

"Sarah, stop!"Morgan commanded, but her words fell on deaf ears.

Sarah threw herself forward, her eyes fixed on Gregory's motionless form.Morgan's muscles strained as she grappled with the woman, desperately trying to keep her from reaching her target.

"Derik!"Morgan shouted, her voice strained.She could feel her control slipping."I need backup!"

As if summoned by her call, Derik burst into the cell.His green eyes widened as he took in the scene, quickly assessing the situation.

"I've got her, check on Phillips!"Morgan managed to get out between labored breaths.

Derik nodded, dropping to his knees beside Gregory.The older man lay slumped on the floor, his skin an alarming mix of blue and angry red.Morgan's heart clenched at the sight, a grim reminder of how close they'd come to losing him.

"Come on, Greg," Derik muttered, pressing two fingers to Gregory's neck.He swore under his breath, then immediately began chest compressions.

As Morgan struggled with Sarah, her mind raced.How had she misread the situation so badly?She'd been so focused on Whitaker, on the ghosts of her own past, that she'd overlooked the danger right in front of her.

"You were supposed to protect us!"Sarah screamed, her voice raw with pain and accusation."Where were you when we needed you?"

The words hit Morgan like a physical blow.She'd asked herself the same question countless times during her years in prison.Where had justice been when she needed it?

"I'm here now," Morgan said, her voice low and steady."And this isn't the way, Sarah.This won't bring them back."

Morgan's muscles strained as Sarah thrashed beneath her, every movement a testament to years of pent-up rage and desperation.The woman's screams echoed off the concrete walls, a cacophony of pain and fury that seemed to reverberate through Morgan's very bones.

"Stop fighting," Morgan grunted, using her body weight to pin Sarah to the cold floor.She could feel Sarah's nails digging into her forearms, drawing blood, but she didn't loosen her grip."It's over, Sarah.It's done."

But Sarah was beyond reason, beyond hearing.Her eyes were wild, unfocused, seeing something—or someone—far beyond the confines of the cell.Morgan recognized that look.She'd seen it in the mirror during her darkest days in prison, when the weight of injustice threatened to crush her.

With a grunt of effort, Morgan managed to wrench one of Sarah's arms behind her back.The cuffs felt impossibly heavy in her hands as she fumbled to secure them.

"Derik?"she called out, her voice tight with exertion."How's Phillips?"

"Still working on him," Derik replied, his own voice strained."Just get her restrained."

As the first cuff clicked into place, Sarah let out an animalistic howl."You don't understand!None of you understand!"

"I understand more than you know," Morgan muttered, finally snapping the second cuff closed.She allowed herself a moment of relief, her chest heaving as she caught her breath.

But Sarah wasn't done.Even restrained, she continued to scream and writhe, her words dissolving into incoherent sobs.Morgan felt a twinge of pity beneath her determination.This woman had been carrying her pain for two decades, letting it fester and grow until it consumed her entirely.

Morgan's heart pounded as she watched Derik work, his hands moving with practiced efficiency over Phillips' still form.The seconds stretched, each one feeling like an eternity.She found herself holding her breath, willing Phillips to respond.

Suddenly, Phillips' body jerked.A ragged gasp tore from his throat, followed by a series of harsh, wracking coughs.Derik quickly tilted Phillips' head back, clearing his airway.

"That's it, breathe," Derik encouraged, his voice rough with relief."You're okay, Phillips.Just keep breathing."

Morgan felt her muscles unclench, just slightly.The knot in her stomach loosened, but didn't fully dissolve.They'd come so close to losing him.Too close.

A sound behind her made Morgan's skin crawl.Sarah was laughing.It wasn't the laughter of joy or even hysteria.It was hollow, devoid of any real emotion.The sound of something irreparably broken.

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