Chapter 19 – The Offer
Chapter 19 – The Offer
Night.
Daniel stood alone outside Jefferson City’s edge.
Emily was asleep.
The world was quieter now.
A black helicopter landed without announcement.
No weapons visible.
No escort.
Only one man stepped out.
Robert Hayes.
He approached carefully.
“You’ve destroyed the old structure.”
Daniel didn’t turn.
“It was already dead.”
Robert nodded.
“Washington wants to negotiate.”
Daniel finally looked at him.
“Negotiate what?”
Robert hesitated.
“…your return.”
A pause.
“Officially.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“No.”
Robert frowned.
“Daniel… you could control the reconstruction. You could prevent chaos.”
Daniel’s voice was flat.
“I don’t control broken systems.”
A beat.
“I expose them.”
Robert studied him.
“…Then what do you want?”
Daniel looked toward the horizon.
“I want my daughter to live in a world that doesn’t require me.”
Silence.
Robert nodded slowly.
“I thought you’d say that.”
He turned to leave.
Then stopped.
“Washington is afraid of what comes after you.”
May you like
Daniel replied calmly.
“Good.”
