The Final Capture (Vanasagheray Trilogy Part II)

Chapter Five: It would just take a Snap!

Jean bursted through the doors of the police station, the chaos of the scene hitting him like a wave. Officers rushed back and forth, phones rang incessantly, and a low murmur filled the air, punctuated by the occasional shout of an order. His heart raced as he pushed through the crowd, his eyes scanning the room frantically. He had only one name on his mind: Stadford.

His eyes locked onto a familiar figure in the sea of uniforms—Commissioner Marcus Stadford. His uncle in all but blood. Shawn's chest tightened as he watched the man standing near a group of senior officers, looking more rigid and tense than Jean had ever seen him before. Without thinking, Jean darted toward him, weaving through the throngs of officers and civilians.

"Uncle Stadford!" Jean's voice cracked as he called out, a tremble in his tone. He was barely able to keep the panic at bay. "Uncle Stadford, please! What is happening? Why are they taking my parents?"

Stadford turned slowly, his face drawn and pale, the deep lines of stress etched into his features. His eyes met Jean's for a split second, but there was no warmth, no recognition in his gaze—just a blank, distant expression. It was as if life had been drained from his face, leaving him hollow, his usual confident demeanor replaced by something unsettlingly cold.

"Uncle Stadford?" Jean's voice wavered again, and his steps slowed as he closed the distance between them. "Please... why are they doing this? What's going on?"

For a moment, Stadford stood frozen, his mouth slightly open as if he might say something, but no words came. His eyes shifted away, avoiding Jean's desperate gaze. He looked... haunted. As if whatever he knew was too much for him to bear, let alone explain. Jean's heart sank as he watched the man he thought he could turn to in times of crisis standing there, silent, unmoving.

"Uncle, please!" Jean's voice broke completely now, a raw edge of desperation creeping in. "They arrested them! They said treason, but... that can't be true. You know that's not true! Please, tell me what's happening. Why won't you say anything?"

Stadford flinched slightly, as if Jean's words struck a nerve, but still, he said nothing. He stared past Jean, his jaw tightening, and then, without a single word, he turned away. His silence was like a punch to Jean's gut, knocking the breath from him.

"Wait!" Jean cried, his voice rising as panic flooded his system. He lunged forward, grabbing at Stadford's arm, but before he could even get a proper grip, two officers moved in between them.

Stadford, his back still to Jean, spoke quietly but firmly. "Keep him out."

Jean's world shattered as the officers grabbed his arms, holding him back. "No! No! You can't do this! Uncle Stadford, please!" He screamed now, his voice full of hurt, betrayal, and fear. "Why won't you tell me?!"

Stadford didn't turn around. He didn't say a word. He just walked away, his back disappearing into the crowd of uniforms, leaving Jean in the hands of the officers who were now dragging him away from the scene.

"Let me go!" Jean struggled against them, thrashing, kicking, but they were too strong. His heart pounded, his breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. "Please, just tell me why! Just tell me the reason! I deserve to know!" His voice broke again, tears stinging his eyes as he was forced backward.

But Stadford didn't look back. He didn't even flinch.

Jean's screams echoed through the station as the officers held him firmly, his legs buckling beneath him, his body shaking with frustration and grief. "Please...," he choked, his voice barely above a whisper now. "Why won't you tell me?"

But the only response was the cold silence of the station, the buzz of conversations around him, and the heavy, unrelenting grip of the officers who pulled him away from the only person he thought he could count on.