Chapter 13 - The Graduation Parade
Everyone Was Watching
The next morning, the academy grounds were filled again.
Same banners.
Same flags.
Same bronze doors.
But everything had changed.
I stood in ceremonial uniform with a security detail nearby.
The parade was supposed to be a celebration.
Instead, it was a trap.
General Grant had units positioned throughout the grounds.
Dad was under medical protection.
My mother was being moved to a secure location.
And Superintendent Hayes was missing.
We didn't know where he was.
The parade began.
Music echoed across the field.
Senior officers entered.
Families filled the stands.
My father watched from a protected section.
For the first time, he wasn't sitting beside Sandra.
Brooke sat alone.
Then she stood.
She looked at me.
I couldn't read her expression.
General Grant walked to the podium.
“Today, we celebrate those who serve with integrity.”
His eyes scanned the crowd.
Then a security officer ran toward him.
“General.”
Grant turned.
“Report.”
“We lost contact with the convoy carrying Evelyn Cross.”
My blood froze.
“What?”
“Three vehicles were intercepted.”
“Where is she?”
“We don't know.”
Hayes had found her.
General Grant immediately ordered the field sealed.
Crowds began to panic.
Then the academy loudspeakers turned on.
A recorded voice filled the entire field.
My father's voice.
“Emma.”
Everyone looked around.
Dad stood up.
The recording continued.
“If you are hearing this, there is still time.”
The screen above the podium changed.
A video appeared.
My mother.
Bound to a chair.
My heart stopped.
The crowd gasped.
Hayes appeared beside her.
He looked directly into the camera.
“Evelyn Cross disappeared twelve years ago.”
He smiled.
“Today, she will disappear again.”
Security officers moved.
General Grant shouted,
“Find the signal!”
Hayes continued.
“Emma Lawson believes her father abandoned her.”
He smiled.
“He did.”
Dad stepped forward.
“No!”
Hayes looked toward the camera.
“Daniel, you should have listened.”
I could hear my father shouting.
“You won't hurt her again!”
Hayes laughed.
“You're too late.”
The screen changed.
A location appeared.
The old academy observatory.
General Grant looked at me.
“You stay here.”
I shook my head.
“My mother is there.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m going.”
He grabbed my shoulder.
“Emma, listen to me.”
“I've spent my entire life being told to stay out of the room.”
I looked at the screen.
“Not today.”
I ran.
Security followed.
We entered the observatory through the lower door.
The building was dark.
Emergency lights flickered.
A voice came from the upper floor.
“Emma.”
Hayes.
I climbed the stairs.
At the top, I found him.
He stood beside my mother.
She was alive.
Terrified.
But alive.
Hayes held a pistol.
“Drop your weapon.”
I had none.
He smiled.
“You were always different.”
My mother whispered,
“Don't listen to him.”
Hayes turned toward her.
“You've ruined everything.”
Then he looked at me.
“Do you know why your father never told you the truth?”
I said nothing.
“Because he knew the truth would make you exactly what you are now.”
He laughed.
“A target.”
Suddenly, the door behind him opened.
Dad stood there.
Bleeding.
Unarmed.
“Hayes.”
Hayes turned.
“You came.”
Dad stepped forward.
“You wanted me.”
Hayes smiled.
“Always.”
Dad looked at me.
“Run.”
Hayes raised the weapon.
A shot rang out.
I screamed.
My father fell.
General Grant fired from the doorway.
Hayes dropped his weapon.
Security surrounded him.
My mother rushed toward Dad.
I dropped to my knees.
“Dad!”
His eyes were closed.
Blood spread across his uniform.
I grabbed his hand.
“Please.”
His fingers moved.
He opened his eyes.
And whispered,
“Now you know.”
Then he smiled.
“Your mother is alive.”
His hand went limp.
I screamed his name.
Outside, sirens exploded across the academy grounds.
And somewhere below us, a second alarm began.
The observatory doors locked.
Someone had initiated a building lockdown.
Hayes started laughing.
“It's already done.”
General Grant turned.
“What?”
Hayes looked at me.
“The evidence wasn't in the ledger.”
May you like
He smiled.
“It was in your graduation medal.”
