C5 Chapter 5

The medics tended to Detective Thompson's wound, cleaning and bandaging the cut on his arm. "You're lucky, detective," one of them said. "Just a shallow cut. You'll live."

Detective Thompson winced as they applied antiseptic. "Yeah, I've had worse. Just get me patched up."

Emily rushed into the room, having heard about the incident. "Oh my god, detective! Are you okay?"

The detective nodded, reassuring. "I'm fine, ma'am. Thanks for asking."

Jules was still looking shaken. "Mom, I'm sorry..."

Emily hugged her tight. "Not your fault, love. We'll get through this."

The detective stood up, his bandaged arm in a sling. "We need to increase security around Jules. Lia's got...issues. And we need to dig deeper into what's going on."

The officers nodded, taking notes. "We'll get on it, sir."

Jules and Emily left the police station, the tension still palpable after the chaotic scene with Lia. As they drove home in silence, Emily finally broke the quiet.

"Jules, is there anything about Lia that you're not telling me?" Emily asked, her eyes on the road but her tone probing.

Jules hesitated for a split second before shaking her head. "No, Mom. I don't know why she did that. I barely know her."

Emily's gaze lingered on Jules for a moment before she nodded. "Alright. But if there's something...you can tell me, okay?"

Jules nodded, looking out the window. "I know, Mom."

The car drove on, the only sound the hum of the engine. Jules's mind was racing - what was Lia's real reason for attacking her? And what about that... smile in the shadow?