And suddenly memories rearranged themselves in my head.
The strange questions during holidays. The pressure to attend gatherings. The repeated jokes about my military work. The subtle attempts to learn where I traveled.
Derek had never been curious.
He had been collecting.
My mother stared at him in horror.
“Derek…”
He stopped struggling.
Then something changed in his expression.
Fear disappeared.
And calm replaced it.
That terrified me more.
“You really think I’m the problem?” he asked softly.
Daniel tightened his grip.
“Don’t.”
But Derek smiled.
A strange smile. Almost relieved.
“You’re already too late.”
Every instinct in my body ignited.
“Move everybody inside,” I ordered.
Daniel reacted instantly.
The soldiers spread across the yard.
“Inside now!”
Confusion exploded. Children crying. Relatives shouting. Chairs scraping across concrete.
Then I heard it.
A faint metallic click beneath the picnic table.
My blood froze.
“Bomb,” I whispered.
Daniel’s eyes locked onto mine.
And then the timer started counting down.
00:45
People screamed.
The deputy grabbed Derek violently.
“Where is it?”
Derek laughed. Actually laughed.
Years of resentment poured out through that sound.
