Chapter 9 - The Ashes
Nathan screamed in absolute, sheer agony as the heavily armed mercenaries dragged him roughly toward the armored SUV.
He watched helplessly as the cruel men barricaded the cabin doors with heavy wooden logs.
One of the soldiers casually tossed a lit flare directly into the massive propane tank sitting near the porch.
The entire cabin exploded into towering, violent orange flames, completely obliterating the peaceful forest sanctuary.
Nathan wept uncontrollably, his spirit utterly broken as he watched the fire consume everything he loved.
Victoria laughed, a terrible sound that cemented her status as a true, irredeemable monster.
She ordered her men to throw Nathan into the back of the SUV, wanting to enjoy her absolute victory in peace.
They drove rapidly toward the city's private docks, where Victoria's massive luxury yacht was waiting to escape international waters.
She planned to execute Nathan quietly over the deep ocean, ensuring his body would never be found by the authorities.
The mercenaries dragged a defeated, weeping Nathan onto the polished wooden deck of the expensive yacht.
Victoria forced him aggressively to his knees, pressing the cold steel of a silver pistol directly against his temple.
"You really should have just married me when you had the chance, Nathan," she taunted maliciously.
Nathan closed his eyes tightly, silently praying that he would soon be reunited with Grace and Lily in whatever came next.
As Victoria pulled the heavy hammer of the pistol back, a blindingly bright light suddenly illuminated the entire yacht.
Three heavily armored Coast Guard vessels had silently surrounded the yacht from the dark waters.
A massive police helicopter hovered directly overhead, its deafening rotors aggressively whipping the ocean into a frenzy.
"Drop the weapon immediately!" a voice boomed authoritatively over a heavy megaphone.
Nathan opened his eyes in sheer disbelief when he recognized the familiar, beautiful voice commanding the authorities.
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Standing bravely on the bow of the lead FBI boat, holding a tactical radio, was Grace.
Lily was safely wrapped in a thick blanket right beside her, perfectly unharmed and entirely alive.
