Chapter 10 - The False Victory
The helicopter hovered aggressively just fifty feet above our speeding car.
A harsh voice crackled over a massive loudspeaker, demanding we pull over immediately.
"It's the FBI," Clara yelled, her voice filled with absolute panic.
"Richard must have called in his federal contacts to stop us."
She slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a violent, screeching halt on the empty highway.
Heavily armed federal agents fast-roped down from the helicopter onto the dark pavement.
They surrounded the vehicle instantly, aiming dozens of laser sights perfectly at the windows.
"Step out of the vehicle with your hands up!" the lead agent commanded over a bullhorn.
Glen dropped his rifle onto the floorboard, completely giving up the fight.
Clara rested her forehead against the steering wheel and began sobbing loudly in defeat.
I unlocked my door and stepped slowly out into the blinding light, holding Ariel tightly.
The agents quickly moved in, pulling Glen and Clara roughly from the front seats.
They slammed my husband and my stepmother onto the hood of the car, securing them in heavy steel cuffs.
A female agent ran over to me, wrapping a warm shock blanket around my trembling shoulders.
"You are completely safe now, Mrs. Vance," the agent said kindly, leading me away from the chaos.
I watched as police cruisers arrived, loading Clara and Glen into the back of separate vehicles.
The nightmare was finally over, and the monsters who ruined my life were going to prison.
I had successfully survived the betrayal, the kidnapping, and the terrifying chase.
The female agent guided me toward a large, unmarked black SUV for my protection.
"We are going to take you and your daughter to a secure federal safe house," she promised.
I climbed gratefully into the warm backseat, completely exhausted and ready to finally sleep.
The driver of the SUV was wearing a dark suit, his face entirely hidden by the shadows of the front cabin.
As he turned his head to put the vehicle into gear, the streetlights illuminated his profile.
I noticed a highly distinct, star-shaped birthmark located directly behind his right ear.
My blood turned completely to ice as I realized I had seen that exact same birthmark earlier today.
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It was identical to the birthmark hidden beneath the hair on the back of my daughter's neck.
The driver smiled darkly in the rearview mirror and locked the heavy steel doors.
