Chapter 8 - The Desperate Struggle
Liam let out a dark, mocking laugh without loosening his deadly grip on my son.
Ethan’s struggles were growing noticeably weaker, his hands dropping to his sides.
Panic consumed my entire being as I realized the empty gun was entirely useless.
I dropped the heavy revolver and grabbed a thick, heavy audio cable from the tangled mess on the floor.
I rushed forward and wrapped the thick black cord tightly around Liam’s neck from behind.
I pulled back with every ounce of strength in my body, using my knee for leverage against his spine.
Liam gasped, his hands flying away from Ethan’s throat to claw at the cable choking him.
Ethan rolled away, coughing violently and gasping for precious air.
Liam thrashed wildly, his immense strength threatening to pull me over his back.
He threw his head backward, smashing his hard skull directly into my nose.
Pain exploded in my face, and warm blood poured instantly down my lips and chin.
My grip on the cable loosened for just a fraction of a second.
Liam broke free, spinning around with a terrifying roar of pure rage.
He backhanded me across the face, sending me crashing hard into the soundproof wall.
The room spun wildly as I slid to the floor, my vision blurring at the edges.
Liam stood over me, wiping spit and blood from his chin.
He declared that he was going to finish what he started with Maya.
Before he could take another step toward me, a deafening crash echoed from the hallway.
The heavy steel emergency fire doors were blown completely open by a tactical breaching ram.
A dozen State Troopers poured into the backstage area, heavily armed and shouting commands.
They had been called by the parents in the auditorium who realized the local police were corrupt.
Two troopers burst into the broadcast room, aiming their assault rifles directly at Liam.
They ordered him to get on the ground and put his hands behind his head.
Liam froze, realizing he was entirely surrounded and utterly defeated.
He slowly dropped to his knees, raising his hands in surrender as he began to sob uncontrollably.
I crawled weakly toward Ethan, pulling his trembling body into my arms as the troopers secured the room.
We had survived the horrific night, and justice was finally arriving.
May you like
But as I looked out the shattered window into the hallway, my heart stopped completely.
Mayor Sterling and Richard were nowhere to be found.
