My stomach sank. “Is Leo okay?”
There was a pause. I almost didn’t answer.
“There are men here asking for him,” Harris said, her voice trembling.
“What kind of men?”
“They didn’t say much, Sarah. Just… please come quickly.”
The call ended. I didn’t hesitate and grabbed my keys.
My hands shook on the wheel. Every possible scenario ran through my mind; none were good.
By the time I arrived at the school, my heart was racing so fast it was hard to think.
“What kind of men?” I whispered to myself.
I walked straight to the principal’s office and froze.
Five men stood in line outside, in military uniforms. Still. Focused. Serious and composed, as if waiting for something important.
Harris stepped out as soon as she saw me.
“They’ve been here 20 minutes,” she whispered. “They say it’s connected to what Leo did for Sam.”
My throat went dry.
“Where is my son?”
Before she could answer, the tallest man turned toward me.
“Ma’am, I’m Lieutenant Carlson, and these are my colleagues. Do you mind if we talk inside the office?”
I nodded and stepped in, only to see Dunn standing in the corner, scowling.
The room was already crowded, with Carlson and one of the military men inside, when Dunn nodded toward the door.
“Bring him in.”
The door opened again, and Leo stepped inside.
The moment I saw him, my face went pale.
My son looked terrified!
Leo’s eyes darted from the men… to me… and back again.
“Mom?” he asked, his voice already trembling.
I rushed to him. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. I’m here.”
But he didn’t relax.
“I didn’t mean to cause trouble,” he said quickly. “I know I wasn’t supposed to do that. I won’t do it again, I swear.”
My heart broke hearing him say that.
I rushed closer.
“You should’ve thought about all that beforehand,” Dunn quipped.
Harris frowned. But before I could respond, Leo cut in, his voice rising, panic spilling out.
“I’m sorry! I won’t ever disobey orders like that again. I promise! Mom! Please don’t let them take me away. I just wanted my best friend to be included in normal things!”
Tears streaked his face.
“You should’ve thought about all that,” Dunn repeated.
I pulled him into me immediately, holding him tight.
“No one’s taking you anywhere,” I said, my voice unsteady. “You hear me? No one!”
“Serves him right for stressing us like that,” Dunn added, making it worse.
“That’s not fair! What is this? You’re scaring him!”
Then Carlson’s expression softened.
“I’m so sorry, young man. We didn’t mean to scare you. We aren’t here to take you anywhere you don’t want to go, let alone punish you for what you did for Sam.”
“No one’s taking you anywhere.”
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