Chapter 4 - The Monster in the Bleachers
The gymnasium was deafeningly quiet for a cinematic, powerful pause.
Kaylee stared at the man who had been a father figure to her for ten years. She saw the tears in Travis’s eyes. She saw the raw, unfiltered shame radiating from his posture. For the first time in her life, she realized that Travis wasn't the enemy—he was just a broken man who had finally woken up.
Duane looked at Travis. The stoic veteran’s hard eyes softened just a fraction of an inch. Duane gave a slow, barely perceptible nod.
Kaylee took a deep breath, fighting back her own tears, and slowly reached out her free hand to Travis.
Travis gently took her hand, his shoulders shaking with relief, and fell into step beside them. Together, the three of them walked toward the center of the court.
But up in the bleachers, Jodi was losing her mind.
Her mustard yellow blouse practically vibrated with absolute, uncontrollable fury. Her husband had publicly defied her. Her father had somehow escaped the lockdown facility. And her daughter was getting the perfect, beautiful Senior Night that Jodi had explicitly tried to destroy.
Jodi couldn't handle the loss of control.
She leaped up from her seat, shoving a pregnant woman out of her way, and began practically running down the bleacher stairs. She plastered a look of hysterical, fake emotion onto her face, ready to play the victim in front of the entire town.
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"Stop!" Jodi shrieked, bursting onto the polished court. "Stop the music! Somebody help me!"
👉 What vicious lie will the mother tell the crowd to regain control of her victims?
