Chapter 14 - Lockdown at Oakridge
Absolute panic erupted in the crowded hallways as students and faculty scrambled wildly toward designated safe zones following the terrifying broadcast.
Chloe stayed firmly close to Leo as they moved with the surging crowd toward the reinforced campus gymnasium.
‘That wasn't just some sick prank, Leo. That was a direct, targeted threat against your life,’ Chloe said, her voice trembling slightly despite her usual fearless journalistic bravado.
Leo’s jaw tightened into a hard line. He realized with chilling clarity that his father’s dangerous enemies were now targeting his school specifically to draw him and his family out into the open.
Outside the perimeter fence, a convoy of black armored SUVs bearing no license plates pulled up smoothly alongside the curb.
Heavily armed private security operatives in tactical gear deployed rapidly in formation, securing the entire school perimeter before local police even had time to respond to the emergency dispatch.
Julian Vance’s private tactical rescue unit had arrived.
Julian himself stepped out of the lead vehicle, wearing a heavy bulletproof vest over his tailored suit, his face carved entirely from granite as he strode purposefully toward the main school entrance to extract his son personally.
Inside the gymnasium, the heavy oak doors swung open wide, and Julian entered flanked by professional tactical officers.
He locked eyes instantly with Leo across the crowded floor and let out an audible, deep sigh of relief.
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‘Leo, we’re leaving right now, no arguments,’ Julian commanded gently yet with absolute paternal firmness.
As they walked out toward the waiting armored convoy, Leo glanced back one last time toward the sun-drenched parking lot where it all began, realizing that the quiet, normal life he once knew was gone forever. A dangerous new era had begun, and there was no turning back.
