Chapter 9 - The Ultimate Price
Carter knelt slowly in front of the tripwire, his hands perfectly steady despite the immense danger.
He pulled a multi-tool from his tactical vest and carefully snipped the wire, neutralizing the explosive charge.
We spent the next twenty minutes agonizingly clearing three more booby traps on the winding staircase.
Every time I heard Lily cry from the floor above, my heart physically ached in my chest.
We finally reached the heavy wooden doors of the electroshock therapy wing.
Carter kicked the double doors open with a thunderous crash, leading the way into the massive, sterile room.
Daniel was standing at the far end of the room near the edge of a crumbling balcony overlooking the cliffside.
He was holding Lily tightly against his chest, a heavy silver revolver pressed firmly against her small head.
Lily saw me and screamed for her mommy, tears streaming down her pale, terrified face.
I dropped my iron pipe and begged Daniel to let her go, offering my own life in exchange.
Daniel laughed, the sound completely devoid of any remaining sanity.
He told me he didn't want the billions of dollars in the trust fund anymore.
He said he had played the role of a loving father for so long that he actually believed it, and he refused to let anyone take his property.
Carter aimed his weapon perfectly at Daniel's forehead, his finger resting lightly on the trigger.
He ordered Daniel to drop the weapon, stating coldly that a sniper from his unit was already aiming at his back from the woods.
Daniel smiled, stepping backward so his heels hung dangerously over the edge of the sheer drop.
He told Carter that if he was shot, his muscles would relax and he would drop Lily over the edge of the cliff.
It was a perfect, impossible stalemate.
I fell to my knees, weeping and pleading with the man who had destroyed my entire life.
Daniel looked down at me, his eyes filled with a twisted, possessive affection.
He told me I could have Lily back right now, but only if I paid the ultimate price.
He kicked a small, loaded pistol across the floor until it stopped right in front of my knees.
He smiled and said he would let Lily walk over to Carter, but only if I picked up the gun and shot myself in the heart.
Carter yelled at me not to touch the weapon, keeping his aim perfectly fixed on Daniel.
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I looked at my weeping daughter, knowing there was absolutely no choice to make.
I picked up the cold, heavy pistol and pressed the barrel directly against my own chest.
