When Truth Surface (Book #2 of "When Secrets Surface")

Chapter 32

Sophie's POV

I stared at Alex in horror as he screamed, "SO THAT I CAN TEACH YOU A LESSON, LIL ASH," his voice echoing through the barn. Suddenly, Naylene flew into the barn, Alex's grip tight around her arm. Her eyes were wide with terror as she begged, "Please, Alex, what are you doing? Let me go!" Alex's response was a cold, menacing laugh.

"Silence!" he roared, shoving her towards the back of the barn. "Now, Sophie, the moment of truth. Zach or Naylene? Who should meet their end?" My mind went blank. I couldn't speak, couldn't breathe. This couldn't be happening. "I... I..." I stammered, tears welling in my eyes.

Alex's voice was laced with impatience, the gun unwavering in his hand. "Don't make this difficult, there's only two answers, Sophie. Choose. I forgot to expose Naylene. She found out about my mafia and wanted to report me. I needed to do this!" I realized why he had kidnapped Naylene. She had discovered his involvement with the mafia and threatened to expose him. Now, he was using her as leverage to get to me.

As I looked at Naylene, I saw the fear in her eyes. I knew she was innocent, caught in Alex's web of revenge. I wanted to protect her, but Alex's grip on her arm was tight, and the gun in his hand made me hesitate.

Dorothy stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "You're insane, Alex! Let them go! This isn't going to bring back your family!" Alex snarled, never taking his eyes off me. "Stay out of this, Dorothy! Sophie, your choice!"

In a moment of twisted clarity, Alex shoved Naylene away from him. Before I could react, a deafening gunshot echoed through the barn. Zach screamed, collapsing to the ground, clutching his leg. Blood splattered, staining my clothes, Dorothy's, the hay, everything.

"ZACH!" I screamed, dropping to my knees beside him. Blood gushed from the wound, soaking through my hands as I desperately tried to stop the bleeding. "Sophie, it hurts!" he gasped, his face contorted in pain. "Hold on, Zach, hold on! We'll get you help!" I cried, my voice trembling.

Alex laughed, a cold, maniacal sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Consider that a warning. Now, let's see if you learn your lesson." He pulled out a lighter, flicking it open. The small flame danced in the dim light of the barn.

"What are you doing?" Dorothy demanded, her voice filled with dread. "Giving you a little warmth," Alex replied, his eyes gleaming with madness. He tossed the lighter onto a pile of dry hay. The flames erupted, quickly spreading across the barn floor.

"We have to get out of here!" Dorothy yelled, grabbing my arm. "But Zach!" I protested, my eyes fixed on his pale face. "We can't leave him!" Dorothy insisted, and together, we struggled to lift Zach, dragging him towards the barn doors.

The smoke stung my eyes, and the heat was becoming unbearable. "My phone! I have our phones!" Dorothy exclaimed, pulling them from her pocket. How she managed to grab them, I had no idea, but I was grateful.

We stumbled out of the barn, collapsing onto the dirt outside, Zach groaning in pain beside us. Dorothy immediately dialed 911, her voice frantic as she described the situation. Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder as they approached.

I looked back at the barn, flames engulfing the structure, casting an eerie orange glow on the surrounding landscape. Alex was gone. "He's getting away!" I shouted, pointing in the direction I thought he had fled.

The first police car screeched to a halt, officers jumping out, guns drawn. "Where is he?" one of them yelled. "That way!" Dorothy shouted, pointing towards the woods. "He shot him! He set the barn on fire!"

More sirens filled the air as ambulances and fire trucks arrived. Paramedics rushed to Zach's side, quickly assessing his condition. "We need to get him to the hospital now!" one of them shouted, and they carefully loaded him onto a stretcher, rushing him into the ambulance.

As they closed the doors, I caught a glimpse of Zach's face, pale and drawn. "I'm sorry," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. The police turned their attention to Naylene and us, their faces grim.

At the station, we were placed in separate rooms, the sterile environment doing little to ease my anxiety. A detective entered, his face unreadable. "Tell me everything that happened," he said, his voice calm but
I was trembling with shock.
At the station, we were placed in separate rooms, the sterile environment doing little to ease my anxiety. A detective entered, his face unreadable. "Tell me everything that happened," he said, his voice calm but insistent.

I recounted the events of the evening, from the moment we arrived at the barn to Alex's arrival and the horrifying events that followed. My voice trembled as I described the shooting, the fire, and Zach's pain. The detective listened intently, taking notes.

As I spoke, I couldn't help but think about Naylene and why Alex had kidnapped her. She had discovered his involvement with the mafia and threatened to expose him. Now, she was a witness to his crimes, and I knew he would stop at nothing to silence her.

The detective's questions were thorough, and I answered to the best of my ability. I told him about Alex's connection to my father, his involvement with the mafia, and his twisted motives. The detective's expression remained neutral, but I could sense his interest piqued.

Hours passed, filled with questions and answers, reliving the trauma over and over again. Finally, as the sun began to rise, they released us. "We'll be in touch," the detective said, his expression still unreadable.

We stepped out of the station, blinking in the bright morning light. Dorothy wrapped her arms around me, her embrace offering a small measure of comfort. The cool morning air was a stark contrast to the heat of the barn fire.

As we walked to the car, I couldn't help but think about Zach and hope he was receiving the best care possible. I knew we would have to wait anxiously for news about his condition.

The drive home was quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts. I stared out the window, watching the sun rise over the landscape. The sky was a mix of pink and orange, a beautiful sight that contrasted with the chaos in my mind.

What will happen to Alex next? Will he be caught and brought to justice? How will Naylene and I cope with the trauma we've experienced? Will Zach recover from his injuries? What will the future hold for us now?