Chapter 8
The next week was a whirlwind.
The federal investigation into GenSys and Richard Voss was front-page news every day. Investigators raided GenSys headquarters, seizing documents and computer files. They found evidence of illegal human trials. Evidence of bribes to politicians and police officers. Evidence of murder.
Voss tried to fight back. He held press conferences where he called the investigation a "witch hunt." He tried to use his remaining connections to shut it down. But it was too late. The evidence against him was overwhelming.
My sister's husband, Senator Grayson, gave a speech on the Senate floor about corporate corruption and the need to protect vulnerable children. He called for new laws to prevent companies like GenSys from exploiting people for profit.
The public rallied behind us. People sent letters and gifts. They held protests outside GenSys offices. They donated to a fund set up for the children.
Mia and Tommy started going to a private school nearby. They were nervous at first—they hadn't been to school in months, and they were behind in their studies—but the teachers were wonderful, and the other children welcomed them with open arms.
Lucas started too, but he was more hesitant. He'd been the man of the house for so long that it was hard for him to just be a kid again. Hard to let someone else take care of everything.
But slowly, he started to relax. He joined the soccer team. He made friends. He started smiling more.
Ella grew bigger and stronger every day. Her gift was still a mystery—Dr. Chen ran every test imaginable, but he couldn't explain how or why she could heal people. He just knew that she could.
We started using her gift carefully. With permission from Ms. Jenkins and a team of doctors, we brought in sick children from the local hospital. Children with cancer. With rare diseases. With injuries that wouldn't heal.
And Ella healed them.
Each time, it was the same. Her tiny hand would touch the sick or injured part of their body, and life would flood back in. Doctors called it a miracle. Religious leaders called it a sign from God. Reporters called her the "Miracle Baby."
But to us, she was just Ella. Our Ella.
The only dark spot was Voss. He was still out there, free on bail, waiting for his trial. He'd lost most of his money and his power, but he still had a few loyal followers. Still had a few tricks up his sleeve.
I knew he wouldn't go quietly.
And I was right.
It happened on a Tuesday afternoon. I was picking up Mia and Tommy from school. Lucas had soccer practice, so he was staying late. Ella was with my sister, who'd taken her to the park.
I was waiting in the carpool line when I saw it. A black van, speeding down the street. It didn't slow down as it approached the school. It swerved around the other cars and headed straight for the entrance.
My blood ran cold.
I jumped out of my car and ran toward the school doors. Mia and Tommy had just walked out, holding hands, talking and laughing.
"Get down!" I shouted.
They looked up, confused.
The van screeched to a stop in front of them. The side door slid open. Two men in masks jumped out.
Mia screamed.
I ran faster than I'd ever run in my life. My legs—my new legs—carried me forward, strong and powerful.
One of the men grabbed Tommy. The other reached for Mia.
"Let them go!" I roared.
I tackled the man holding Tommy. We hit the ground hard. He tried to fight back, but I was stronger. Angrier. I punched him in the face, once, twice, and he went limp.
The other man let go of Mia and pulled out a gun.
"Stay back!" he shouted.
Parents were screaming. Children were crying. The world moved in slow motion.
I stood between him and the children. My heart hammered against my ribs. But I wasn't afraid.
"You're not taking them," I said.
Before he could pull the trigger, police sirens wailed in the distance. The man hesitated. Then he turned and ran back to the van. It sped away, leaving his unconscious partner behind.
I turned to Mia and Tommy. They were huddled together, crying, but they were alive. Unhurt.
I pulled them into a hug. "It's okay. You're safe. I've got you."
The police arrived minutes later. They arrested the unconscious man and started an investigation. They told us the van had been found abandoned a few miles away.
My sister showed up with Ella, her face pale with fear. Lucas arrived soon after, his soccer uniform still on, his eyes wide with terror.
We all went home together. The children were quiet, shaken by what had happened. Lucas blamed himself for not being there. Mia and Tommy kept asking if the bad men would come back.
I sat them all down in the living room.
"Listen to me," I said. "That was Voss's last move. He's desperate. He knows he's going to prison for the rest of his life, and he wanted to take us down with him. But he failed. Because we're strong. Because we're together."
I looked at each of them.
"Voss can't hurt us anymore. The police are watching him. His trial starts next week. He's going to spend the rest of his life in prison. And we're going to spend the rest of our lives together. As a family."
Lucas nodded slowly. "I want to testify at his trial. I want to look him in the eye and tell him what he did to us."
Mia spoke up. "Me too. I want to tell him about my mommy and daddy."
Tommy nodded. "And I want to tell him he's a bad man."
I smiled through my tears. "Then that's exactly what you'll do."
That night, I sat on the porch, looking out at the garden. The roses were in full bloom, just like my wife would have wanted.
My sister came out and sat beside me.
"You okay?" she asked.
"I am now," I said. "They tried to take them. But I stopped them. I actually ran, Sarah. I ran faster than I've ever run in my life."
She squeezed my hand. "I know. The police told me. You were a hero."
"I was just a man protecting his family," I said.
She smiled. "That's what heroes are, Arthur."
We sat in silence for a while, watching the sun set over the garden.
"The trial starts next week," she said. "It's going to be hard. The children are going to have to relive the worst day of their lives."
"I know," I said. "But they're strong. Stronger than I ever was at their age. And they're not alone anymore."
"No," my sister said. "They're not."
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Inside the house, I could hear the children laughing. Lucas was telling Mia and Tommy a story. Ella was babbling happily.
For the first time in a long time, everything felt right.
