Chapter 14 - The Museum
The museum was empty except for Caleb.
Or so we thought.
Then we heard crying.
Six children.
One teacher.
Early-arrival group.
Schedule mistake.
They entered through a side door before shutdown reached every staff member.
Caleb had taken them hostage.
He called.
“Bring Titan.”
I almost laughed from disbelief.
Everyone wanted the dog.
“Why?”
“Derek wants him.”
“Derek can call me himself.”
“He’s busy.”
“Where?”
No answer.
Caleb continued.
“Dog comes in.”
“Children come out.”
Titan stood beside me.
His shoulder still stiff.
I looked at Ramirez.
“No.”
He nodded.
Then one child screamed through the phone.
Caleb had moved them near the central exhibit hall.
Maya whispered:
“Ventilation system connects the whole floor.”
If Z-3 opened there, even a small amount could spread.
We needed entry.
Titan gave us one.
Not through force.
Through scent.
He found a service corridor connected to the reptile exhibit loading entrance.
Old maintenance path.
Not on public maps.
We entered.
Quiet.
Titan led.
At the hall, we saw Caleb.
Children behind him.
Silver vial taped to a crude dispersal canister.
Gun in his hand.
Remote trigger.
He saw Titan first.
Smiled.
“There he is.”
Titan growled.
Caleb lifted the gun.
I stepped out.
“Shoot me.”
He laughed.
“You’re not the story.”
“Neither is he.”
“You still don’t get it.”
“No.”
“I do.”
I looked at Titan.
“People already know what he is.”
Caleb’s smile faded.
“You can’t change that with one video.”
His grip tightened.
I continued.
“You can kill him.”
“People will remember he saved Sophie.”
“You can release that compound.”
“People will remember you used children.”
“You lost the story a long time ago.”
That hit him.
Exactly where I wanted.
His attention shifted from the remote.
Titan moved.
Fast.
Not full speed.
Enough.
He hit Caleb’s gun arm.
I lunged.
Remote fell.
Maya grabbed it.
Caleb fought.
Titan pinned his forearm.
No bite.
Just pressure.
Tactical officers entered.
Children rescued.
Compound secured.
Caleb arrested.
Everyone safe.
But Derek wasn’t there.
Then Caleb laughed from the floor.
“You think this was final?”
I turned.
“What?”
He smiled through blood on his lip.
“Derek already left.”
“Where?”
“Back where the story started.”
May you like
Centennial Park.
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