Chapter 18 - What Adrian Really WantedNobody moved.
Adrian looked older.
Thinner.
But his eyes were the same.
"You."
I stared at him.
"You lied to everyone."
He smiled.
"Of course."
"Why?"
"Because nobody listens to the truth."
"You used sick children."
"I tried to save them."
"By ranking them?"
"By identifying the ones who could survive."
I stepped forward.
"That's not saving."
"You think money solved everything?"
"No."
"Then what did?"
"People."
He laughed.
"That's why you failed."
I glanced at Keo.
"Put the gun down."
Adrian shook his head.
"Not yet."
"What do you want?"
"Keo."
"No."
"I need him."
"You won't get him."
"You're still thinking like a businessman."
"And you're still thinking like a coward."
His face hardened.
"The first six children died."
"I know."
"They died because the treatment wasn't stable."
"Then why did you continue?"
"Because K-07 survived."
"Keo."
"Yes."
Adrian looked at him.
"Your body did something impossible."
Keo whispered:
"What?"
"You adapted."
Adrian stepped closer.
"You are the key to saving every child with the disease."
I looked at him.
"Then why threaten him?"
"Because nobody will volunteer."
I shook my head.
"You're wrong."
Keo looked at me.
Then stepped forward.
"I will."
Everyone froze.
I turned.
"Keo."
"If my blood can help kids..."
"No."
"You said I get to choose."
I couldn't answer.
He was right.
I had promised him that years ago.
Adrian lowered the gun slightly.
"You understand."
Keo nodded.
"But I have conditions."
Adrian laughed.
"You think you can negotiate?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"No private company."
Adrian stared.
"No ownership."
Silence.
"All research public."
Adrian's expression changed.
"And no child is ever forced."
He looked at me.
I realized what Keo was doing.
He wasn't surrendering.
He was changing the rules.
Adrian smiled.
"You really are your father's son."
Then sirens erupted outside.
Adrian turned.
Agents stormed the building.
He dropped the gun.
Within seconds, he was on the floor.
Handcuffed.
As they took him away, he looked at me.
"You think this is over."
I looked at Keo.
"No."
May you like
I shook my head.
"But now we know where to look."
