Chapter 9 - The Man Who Wanted Revenge
The entire house went into lockdown.
Security moved quickly.
Charles ordered everyone away from the windows.
"Lily stays upstairs."
I grabbed my daughter's hand.
"Come with me."
But Lily stopped.
"Mom."
"What?"
She looked terrified.
"But Grandpa needs help."
I knelt down.
"Your job is to stay safe."
She nodded.
But I saw something in her eyes.
The same courage she had the night she called Charles.
Downstairs, Charles confronted Michael through the security system.
"You need to leave."
Michael laughed.
"You think you can scare me?"
Charles's voice remained calm.
"You are standing on private property."
Michael smiled.
"Just like Ryan was standing in your way."
My heart stopped.
Charles looked at the screen.
"What did you say?"
Michael stepped closer to the camera.
"Ryan was weak."
Silence.
"I gave him the courage to do what he couldn't."
Charles clenched his jaw.
"You manipulated him."
"No."
Michael smiled.
"I showed him who he really was."
Those words hurt because there was truth in them.
Ryan had made his choices.
Michael didn't force his hand.
He only encouraged what was already there.
Suddenly, the lights went out.
The house became dark.
I held Lily close.
Footsteps echoed.
Someone was inside.
"Mom..."
"It's okay."
But I didn't know if it was.
Then a flashlight appeared.
A security guard.
"Mrs. Carter, you're safe."
But before we could relax...
Another voice came from behind him.
"Are you sure?"
Michael stepped forward.
Everyone froze.
He smiled.
"Because I don't think anyone is safe anymore."
And then he revealed something.
May you like
Something that connected him to Charles.
Something even my father didn't know.
