Chapter 9 - The Final Standoff Begins
My heart stopped completely as I read the terrifying text message.
Garrick had used a body double in the dark warehouse to distract me.
The real monster was already standing right next to the only person I loved in this world.
I didn't waste a single second engaging in a gunfight with the fake Garrick and the traitorous Ethan.
I used my intimate knowledge of tactical blind spots to slip through a small ventilation shaft near the floor.
I emerged into the cold, foggy night and sprinted toward the stolen pickup truck.
I drove like a madwoman, running every red light and swerving through the busy city traffic.
I arrived at the diner and saw the flashing red and blue lights of police cruisers already surrounding the building.
I pushed my way through the panicked crowd of civilians standing behind the yellow police tape.
Through the large glass window, I saw Garrick holding a massive, heavy-caliber handgun.
He had my mother pinned against the front counter, the barrel of his gun pressed directly against her temple.
He was demanding a helicopter and absolute immunity, shouting wildly at the terrified local police officers.
I bypassed the useless negotiators and walked straight through the front door of the diner.
Garrick turned his head and smiled when he saw me enter the room completely unarmed.
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"I told you, Sarah," Garrick whispered maliciously. "If she leaves me, you both die."
He slowly pulled back the hammer of the gun, fully intending to blow my mother's brains out in front of me.
