Not perfectly but clearly enough to identify cars, movement, the forming crowd. Malik narrowed his eyes, scanning for his daughter. Zuri he said, tension coiling beneath every syllable. Do not hang up. Zuri's voice quivered.
I won't. Shadow whimpered beside her. Malik's jaw clenched so hard she could hear his teeth grind. Is that him breathing? Yes.
He closed his eyes briefly. Her father loved Shadow. That dog had saved his life twice in the field. The bond between them was deeper than most people ever understood. And now he was listening to Shadow die in real time because of a group of teenagers who thought they were invincible.
When Malik opened his eyes again, the softness from before was gone, all gone. His expression was now forged from something colder, more lethal. The same expression he used when prepping takedowns of violent extremist cells. Zuri, he said quietly. Listen to me very carefully.
Okay, she whispered. I'm coming to you. Nobody, do you hear me? Nobody will lay a hand on you or that dog again. A shudder ran through her chest.
Dad, please hurry. I am. He paused, then added with chilling calm, They will regret touching what is mine. Zuri's breath caught. She wasn't used to hearing that tone.
The crowd around her continued buzzing, phones raised, gossip swirling like vultures. Blake smirked at Connor, nudging him and whispering something she couldn't hear. Reed angled his phone for a better shot, but Zuri barely noticed. "Dad?" she whispered again. "Shadow's not getting up." On his end, Malik stood abruptly, chair sliding back with force.
Every agent in the operations room turned toward him as he marched across the floor, grabbing his dark vest and badge from a hook. "Sir?" one analyst asked cautiously. "New assignment?" Malik didn't break stride. "Personal." He slipped the badge into his pocket, buttoned the vest over his crisp shirt, and grabbed his keys. But before he left, he turned to two junior officers near the door.
"Bring the car around." "Yes, sir." they answered immediately. Malik paused, adjusting the collar of his vest, eyes burning with purpose. "My daughter is in danger." he said flatly. "And I'm done sitting behind a desk." He pushed open the door, the weight of a father and a federal agent merging into one unstoppable force. "Get the car." he repeated, voice like steel.
"My little girl needs me." And with that, he moved calm, focused, and deadly toward the scene that would change everything. A normal father would be furious. A counter-terrorism agent would turn that fury into a mission. This mission had already begun. The crowd at Brentwood gas stop had doubled within minutes.
Students lined the concrete like spectators gathering for a street performance. Phones held high. Faces lit by a toxic mixture of curiosity and excitement. Comments from Reed's live stream flooded the air, echoing between the gas pumps like digital insults rendered physical. "Kick it again.
Make the dog yelp. Where's her daddy now? Stupid black mutt and its stupid owner." Zuri felt every word like a lash. Shadow trembled beneath her. His breaths jagged, shallow.
She pressed a hand against his side feeling the uneven rhythm. Stay with me, she whispered. Don't leave me. Blake stepped forward rolling his neck as if preparing for a performance. All right, he announced loudly facing the crowd.
Show's not over yet. The audience cheered lightly. Not quite sure what was coming next but hungry for spectacle. Connor smirked and jabbed a finger at Zuri. Get up.
She shook her head. No. Reed swung his phone closer capturing her from an uncomfortably intimate angle. Come on Zuri, give the viewers something good. Cry a little, beg a little.
Jenna cut in, voice sharp. Back off. Haven't you done enough? Blake laughed. Enough?
We're just getting started. He crouched down next to Zuri invading her space. His breath sour against her cheek. Here's how this works, he said. You apologize properly and we let you take your, whatever this is, he gestured at Shadow and leave.
Zuri blinked in disbelief. Apologize? For what? For mouthing off, Connor replied. For acting like you're better than us.
For thinking someone like you can talk back. Someone like you. The phrase hit her like a punch to the ribs. Zuri kept her voice steady. I'm not apologizing to you.
Blake's smile widened. Then get on your knees. A ripple moved through the crowd. Half gasps, half snickers. Milo stepped in front of Zuri, fists clenched.
No way. She's not doing that. Blake didn't even look at him. Move nerd. Leave her alone, Milo snapped.
Blake finally turned toward him, eyes narrowing. "You want to protect her? Cute." Reed kept filming, voice dripping with mockery. "Dude, Milo's defending her like he thinks he's going to be the hero of this livestream." Jenna grabbed Milo's arm, pulling him back before Blake could swing. "Milo, don't." He shook her off.
"No one else is helping." The truth of that statement sliced through the crowd. Not one adult had stepped in. Not one stranger had intervened. The spectacle was too fascinating, too entertaining for them to move. Blake shoved Milo back a step.
"Stay out of this. Last warning." Zuri moved between them, voice trembling, but firm. "Stop it. Please, don't hurt him." Blake pointed at her, then at the ground. "Then get on your knees." "No." Zuri whispered.
Connor leaned in, sneering. "Come on. Do it for the livestream." Zuri's stomach churned. The humiliation was unbearable, but she refused to break. Jenna stepped beside her.
"Zuri doesn't owe you anything." Reed tilted the camera toward Jenna. "Tell that to the viewers. They think she should kneel." Zuri swallowed hard, fury mixing with helplessness. She wanted to run. She wanted to scream.
She wanted to protect Shadow, but she couldn't do any of those things. Blake grew impatient. "Fine. If you won't kneel, maybe your dog will." Zuri's breath froze. Blake lifted his foot and drew it back.
Shadow whimpered. Zuri screamed. "No!" The crowd burst into chaotic noise. "Woah! He's going to do it again.