Desperate protest
“I swear, Dereck, it’s not what it looks like. I’ve been set up!” Chris protested. His voice grew louder, more desperate, but Dereck’s face remained stony.
“You’ve got to believe me, this is all some kind of mistake.” His eyes pleaded with Dereck for understanding, but there was none to be found.
The room felt like it was closing in on him, the walls echoing his frantic words.