Chapter 19 - The Crumbling Empire
The arrests were swift and brutal. Graves and the mercenaries were tackled and cuffed by federal agents. Arthur Vance was dragged away in handcuffs, his expensive suit ruined by the mud and rain, his face a mask of humiliated defeat.
Paramedics rushed onto the roof, wrapping warm blankets around Eleanor, Julian, and Clara.
"You did it, Julian," Clara said, kneeling beside the boy as a medic checked the bruises on her neck. "You saved us."
Julian hugged his mother tightly. Eleanor, though frail and exhausted, looked at Clara with overwhelming gratitude. "You risked your life for a boy you barely knew. How can I ever repay you?"
Clara smiled softly. "Watching Arthur Vance lose everything is payment enough for me. And besides... I think Julian is going to need a lot of help adjusting to a normal life. I'd like to stick around, if you'll have me."
May you like
Eleanor smiled through her tears, resting her head against her son’s hair. "We would love that."
As they were escorted down the stairs by the FBI, Julian looked back one last time at the roof. The ghosts that had haunted his mind were gone, washed away by the rain and the truth.
