Tim’s heart pounded in his chest, the echoes of those three words reverberating in his mind. His eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, catching glimpses of the man and the little girl who seemed to shrink further into the hoodie, her face obscured and pale against the fabric’s dark folds.
Instinctively, Tim knew he had to act, but years of training had taught him the importance of maintaining a calm demeanor. Any sudden movements or reactions could escalate the situation and put the girl at further risk. He took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the steering wheel, guiding the bus back into traffic while formulating a plan.
