Chapter 25 - THE NIGHT THE GATES CLOSED The center was full when the attack began.
Students.
Retired workers.
Families.
Children.
Then the power failed.
The gates locked automatically.
The same gates that had once represented wealth now became a cage.
A voice came through the speakers.
“Emily Harrington.”
I recognized it.
Richard Vale.
“You wanted the truth.”
“Now you can have all of it.”
Screens throughout the house turned on.
Old footage played.
Claire.
Ruth.
Charles.
Victor.
Me.
Everything.
Richard had recorded all of us.
Then he revealed himself through the security system.
He wasn't outside.
He was inside.
Someone on the staff had helped him.
Daniel found the traitor.
A frightened young security employee.
He had been threatened.
Richard wanted the original trust.
I refused.
He threatened the people in the building.
Claire stepped forward.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
She looked at the cameras.
“You wanted the family.”
“You have it.”
“Leave the others.”
Richard laughed.
“You still think sacrifice will save them.”
Claire smiled.
“No.”
“Emily learned something you never understood.”
“What?”
Claire looked at me.
May you like
“She doesn't sacrifice herself.”
“She makes the truth impossible to bury.”
Related Stories
