Chapter 5: The Red Alert
The earsplitting shriek of the security alarm ripped through the silent night, sending Leo diving into Sarah’s arms with a sharp gasp. Julian cursed under his breath, grabbing a heavy brass fireplace poker from the corner of the bedroom before sprinting down the dimly lit hallway.
"Stay here!" Julian yelled back to Sarah as he leaped down the grand staircase, his light blue dress shirt billowing behind him.
The dining room where the chaos had started hours earlier was now bathed in an eerie crimson glow from the security system's strobe lights. The shattered ceramic from earlier was still scattered across the floor, crunching loudly beneath Julian’s leather shoes as he crossed the room toward the main entrance.
The front double doors were wide open. A chilly autumn wind whipped through the foyer, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine needles.
Standing in the open doorway was Clara, perfectly composed, wearing her blue button-down shirt and grey pants as if it were the middle of the afternoon. She wasn't looking at Julian. She was staring out into the driveway, where a sleek black sedan idled with its headlights off.
"Who’s out there, Clara?" Julian demanded, raising the brass poker defensively as he stopped a few feet away from her.
Clara didn't blink. "Your brother sends his regards, Julian."
Before Julian could process the warning, two heavy-set men in dark tactical jackets stepped out of the shadows of the porch. Before Julian could swing the poker, one of them struck him swiftly across the temple with a heavy flashlight.
Julian crumpled to the hardwood floor, the breath knocked violently from his lungs. The world spun into a dizzying blur of red lights and dark shadows. Through the ringing in his ears, he heard Sarah screaming his name from the top of the stairs.
"Don't hurt him!" Sarah’s voice cracked with absolute terror as she rushed down the steps, holding Leo tight against her chest.
Clara turned slowly, watching Sarah approach with a look of supreme indifference. "No one is going to be hurt, my dear. Not yet. We are simply relocating to a more secure facility."
Julian tried to push himself up, but his limbs felt like lead. Warm blood trickled down his temple, matting his short brown hair. He watched helplessly as Clara motioned for the two men to block the staircase.
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"You're insane," Julian spat out, tasting copper on his tongue.
Clara smiled coldly, stepping over Julian’s fallen body. "I am survival, Julian. And as of midnight, your brother owns the deed to this house, the foundation, and your son’s custody rights."
