Elena’s hands shook as she stared at the image.
Ethan—small, unaware, standing by the school gate.
Watched.
Tracked.
Hunted.
The weight of it pressed into her chest until breathing felt sharp.
Adrian stepped closer. “Elena… what is it?”
She turned the phone toward him without speaking.
His expression darkened instantly. “Lucas.”
Lucas leaned in, eyes narrowing. “Timestamp?”
“Eight forty-two this morning,” Elena said.
“Before the broadcast,” Adrian muttered.
Lucas was already moving. “Lock down the academy. Full perimeter. Drone coverage, traffic scans—everything.”
Elena’s voice cracked despite herself. “Bring him home.”
“He’s already being escorted,” Lucas said.
But reassurance didn’t reach her.
Because this wasn’t random.
It was deliberate.
---
Within minutes, black SUV
