Chapter 6 - The Hunted
David tackled me into the mud, shielding my body with his as another bullet ricocheted off the iron safe.
“Stay down!” he yelled, pulling his licensed concealed carry pistol from his jacket.
We scrambled behind the thick stone foundation of the old asylum. I clutched the ledger to my chest, my heart hammering against my ribs.
“They followed us,” I gasped.
“Not your parents. They’re locked up,” David said, peering around the stone. “It’s someone else protecting the network.”
A figure emerged from the tree line. It was Caroline. She held a high-powered hunting rifle, moving with military precision. She wasn't the spoiled, country-club sister I grew up with. She was a killer.
“Elena!” Caroline’s voice echoed through the rain. “Drop the book and walk away. You don't know what you’re unraveling!”
“You drugged my son!” I screamed back.
“I was trying to save him!” Caroline shouted, her voice cracking. “Do you think Eleanor is the top of the food chain? She’s a broker! If you expose the Vanguard, they will kill all of us. Even Leo.”
“I’ll take my chances!” David roared, firing two suppressive shots toward her.
Caroline ducked behind a tree. “You’re so stupid, Elena. You still don't get it. You think you’re their biological daughter?”
The words hit me like a physical blow. The world tilted on its axis.
“You were a product, just like me! Just like Toby!” Caroline yelled. “They kept us to maintain their cover. The perfect, wealthy family. We were their camouflage!”
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Before I could process the soul-crushing revelation, a massive black truck roared up the dirt path behind Caroline. Two men in tactical gear jumped out, raising automatic weapons. But they didn't aim at us.
They aimed at Caroline.
