Mr. Thorne’s grip on Ethan’s shoulder shook violently as the pounding at the front door grew more frantic. The old man stared at Ethan with a hollow gaze, as if his world had truly come to an end. In the corner of the room, Martha covered her ears, sobbing incessantly over the piles of foreclosure documents. "Who are they, Ethan? Is that the army the Sovereign ordered to finish us off?" Mr. Thorne whimpered, his voice nearly drowned out by the sudden downpour of rain hammering the city. Ethan didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on his vibrating watch. Target locked. Perimeter breached. That was the short message on the screen. Ethan slowly moved Mr. Thorne’s hand away, breaking the grip with a firm motion. "Father, stay here. Protect Mother," Ethan said. His tone was so low that his fat
