Sharon pushed through the crowd, ripping off her coat and wrapping it tightly around me, shielding me with her body.
And then Willow—who was supposed to be at school—ran in, spreading her little arms to shield me.
“Bad people! You all bad people! I won’t let you bully my dad!”
Together, the two of them forced the reporters back. They led me toward the hotel entrance, fending off the cameras and flashing lights.
Only when we were almost outside did the security team finally show up, jogging toward us in a frenzy. Elroy trailed behind them, his face plastered with guilt and panic.
“Dean, I’m so sorry—this is all my fault. I didn’t monitor things thoroughly. Someone must’ve switched the VCR when I turned.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, “I ran off to get security as soon as I noticed, but I was too late. Are you okay? I can't believe they actually laid hands on you…”
He reached toward me, trying to touch my scar and the moment he touched me, I let out a terrified scream.
Sharon, worried I might hurt Elroy, immediately called over the medics to inject a sedative.
The drug kicked in quickly. I passed out in her arms.
When I opened my eyes again, I was already in a hospital room.