At first, I didn't understand. Then another mom, Jill, came along and explained the rest.
She told me the trail was six miles long and difficult. It featured steep climbs, uneven terrain, and narrow paths where every step counted. It all seemed reasonable... until she added, "Leo carried Sam on his back the whole way!"
My blood ran cold just thinking about it.
"According to my daughter, Sam said Leo kept telling him, 'Hang on, I'm holding you,'" Jill continued. "He kept shifting his weight and refused to stop."
I looked at my son again. His legs were still shaking.
Then Leo's teacher, Mr. Dunn, approached us with a tense expression.
"Sarah, your son broke protocol by taking a different route. It was dangerous! We had clear instructions. Students who failed to complete the trail were to remain at camp!"
“I understand, and I’m so sorry,” I replied quickly, even though my hands were starting to shake.
But underneath, something else emerged: pride.
Dunn wasn’t the only one who was upset. From the way the other teachers looked at us, I knew they weren’t impressed with Leo.
Since no one was hurt, I thought the matter was closed.
Once again, I was wrong.
The next morning, my phone rang while I was out of work. I almost answered.
Then I saw the school number and felt a pang in my chest.
“Hello?”
“Sarah?” It was Principal Harris. “You need to come to school. Right now.”
His voice sounded shaky.
My blood ran cold.
“Is Leo okay?”
There was a pause.
“There are men here asking,” Harris said, his voice shaking.
“What kind of men?”
“They didn't say much, Sarah. Just… please, come right away.”
The call ended.
I didn't hesitate. I grabbed my keys and left.
My hands were still shaking on the steering wheel. Every possible scenario ran through my mind, and none of them were positive.
By the time I reached the parking lot, my heart was pounding too fast for me to think clearly.
I headed straight for the principal's office and was paralyzed.
Five men, lined up outside, were wearing military uniforms. Still. Concentrated. Composed, as if waiting for something important.
Harris stepped forward and leaned toward me as soon as he saw me.
“I've been here twenty minutes,” he whispered. “They say it's connected to what Leo did for Sam.”
My throat went dry.
“Where's my son?”
Continued on the next page:
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