THE CHOICE
William pressed the button.
For one terrifying second...
Nothing happened.
Then the entire bunker trembled.
WARNING. VAULT SELF-DESTRUCT ACTIVATED.
A mechanical voice echoed through the underground chamber.
TEN MINUTES TO DETONATION.
Richard's face turned pale.
"He modified the system..."
William smiled.
"If I can't keep the secrets..."
"...no one will."
Marcus stepped toward him.
"It's over, William."
"You've lost."
William laughed.
"No, Marcus."
"I taught you something years ago."
"The strongest man is the one willing to sacrifice everyone else."
He suddenly drew a pistol and fired.
BANG!
Richard shoved Julianne aside.
The bullet struck his shoulder.
"Dad!"
Julianne caught him before he hit the floor.
Richard forced a weak smile.
"I'm alright..."
"But you have to protect the vault."
Marcus charged at William.
The two men crashed into the steel railing overlooking the underground chamber.
The pistol slid across the floor.
William threw a hard punch.
Marcus staggered but refused to fall.
"For Julianne."
He struck back.
"For Samuel."
Another punch.
"For Emma."
William stumbled for the first time.
At that moment Eleanor shouted from the control room.
"I found the override!"
"But it needs two biometric scans!"
Richard looked at Julianne.
"You and William."
Julianne froze.
"Impossible."
William smiled again.
"Exactly."
"I'd rather die than help you."
The countdown continued.
06:41
Richard slowly stood despite his wound.
"There is another way."
He reached into his jacket and removed a sealed envelope.
"I hoped I'd never need this."
Inside was a birth certificate.
Julianne stared at it.
Her hands trembled.
Under Father...
It did not say Richard Lane.
It said:
William Henderson.
The room fell silent.
Marcus couldn't breathe.
Julianne looked from the document...
to William...
then back to Richard.
"What..."
"What is this?"
Richard closed his eyes.
"The biggest secret I ever kept..."
"...was to protect you."
William's smile disappeared.
For the first time...
Fear appeared in his eyes.
TO BE CONTINUED...
