PART 4
“Well, would you look at that,” Maddox said. “Daddy’s little soldier.”
Something inside Emily went cold.
He bent down, picked up the photo, and rubbed his thumb across her father’s face.
“You keep this for motivation?”
Emily’s voice stayed quiet.
“Give it back.”
The formation stiffened.
Everyone heard the warning in her tone.
Maddox did too.
He stepped closer.
“Look at you,” he said. “You really think you’re strong enough to be a soldier?”
Emily reached for the photo.
That was when he slapped her.
The sound cut through the training field like a rifle crack.
For one long second, nobody moved.
The photo fell between them.
Maddox leaned close, breathing hard.
“Open your mouth one more time,” he said, “and I’ll kick you off this base today.”
Emily slowly looked toward the small mounted security camera.
Then back at him.
Her cheek was red.
Her eyes were bright.
But she was not afraid.
“Then do it in front of the camera.”
Maddox froze.
Just for a split second.
But Emily saw it.
So did the recruits.
The first crack in the monster.
May you like
Then a voice came from behind the training vehicle.
“No need for the camera,” a woman said. “I saw everything.”
