| October 4, 2023 – 12:15 PM
Lin found her dad in the garage, sleeves rolled up, half-buried under the hood of an old Chevy. A radio played quietly in the background, some classic rock station he always defaulted to.
"Dad, we've got a problem."
Richard didn't even look up. "When don't we?"
Lin sighed. "Serious one. A girl got kidnapped about thirty miles out. Her car was seen heading toward Maep's, but it never left."
That got his attention. He straightened, wiping his hands on an old rag. "And the deputy came by to tell you this personally?"
Lin smirked. "Seems I'm his favorite."
Richard huffed. "Or you're just the first person he thought would actually do something about it."
Lin didn't deny it.
Richard tossed the rag onto his workbench, already switching into problem-solving mode. "Alright. You got cameras up yet?"
"Not yet. We have the equipment, but I haven't installed it."
"I'll take care of it." He walked over to a tool chest, pulling out a set of wire strippers. "No offense, but I trust my own wiring more than some third-party install team. I'll run the cables through the control room Ethan set up and make sure everything's hardwired, no WiFi reliance."
Lin nodded. "Good. If someone's watching this place, I want to see them before they see us."
Richard grunted in approval, already mentally mapping out where to set the cameras. "How many angles we talking?"
"All entrances, perimeter coverage, one for the animal enclosures, and at least two watching the main road. And I want one on the glamping site."
Richard gave her a look. "Paranoid much?"
Lin smirked. "Prepared."
Richard sighed, grabbing his tape measure. "Fine. But if I'm climbing ladders all day, you're buying me a steak dinner."
Lin grinned. "Deal."
Her dad may have been skeptical, but she knew one thing for certain—once those cameras were up, nothing would move on this property without them knowing.
| October 4, 2023 – 2:00 PM
Lin heard the car before she saw it.
A sleek black SUV pulled up the long driveway, kicking up a thin cloud of dust. The engine cut off, and the doors opened in perfect synchronization—like a damn military operation.
Lucas's father, General Richard Fang, stepped out first.
Tall, broad-shouldered, and carrying the weight of years of command, he surveyed the farm like it was a battlefield he was about to secure. Sharp eyes took in everything—the new fencing, the construction, the reinforced gates. His stance was relaxed, but Lin wasn't fooled. The man missed nothing.
Then, a much smaller figure hopped down from the backseat.
Jake.
The four-year-old clutched a small backpack, eyes scanning the farm with quiet curiosity. He wasn't the type to run or chatter like other kids his age. He observed first. Just like his father.
Lin stepped forward, hands in her pockets. "Welcome to my empire, General."
Richard Fang raised an eyebrow. "Empire?"
Lin smirked. "What else do you call a self-sustaining farm with private security?"
The General let out a low, approving hum. "Better than I expected."
Jake took a slow step toward her, gripping his backpack strap tightly.
Lin knelt slightly. "Hey, kid. Hungry?"
Jake nodded once.
Lin grinned. "Good. We've got fresh bread, apple cider, and—" she leaned in conspiratorially, "—a golden retriever who thinks he's a lapdog."
That got the tiniest hint of a smile from the boy.
Rex, as if summoned, bounded over, tail wagging, sniffing at Jake's hand before giving him an enthusiastic lick.
Jake blinked, then cautiously reached out to pet him.
General Fang watched the exchange before nodding slightly. "He'll do fine here."
Lin straightened. "So, General. How much of your doomsday stash did you bring?"
Richard Fang chuckled, low and knowing. "Enough."
Lin grinned. "Perfect."
Because if the world was about to go to hell, she'd rather have a retired general on her side.
| October 4, 2023 – 2:00 PM
Lin heard the car before she saw it.
A sleek black SUV rolled up the long driveway, moving at a steady, controlled pace. When it finally stopped near the main house, the doors opened in perfect synchronization—like a damn military operation.
General Richard Fang stepped out first.
Even in civilian clothes, he carried himself like a man still in command. Broad-shouldered, sharp-eyed, and with a presence that could silence a room, he took one long, assessing look at the farm, scanning every detail.
Then, a much smaller figure climbed out from the backseat.
Jake.
The four-year-old held onto the strap of his little backpack, standing still beside the SUV like he was waiting for orders.
Lin smirked. "Welcome to my empire, General."
General Fang raised an eyebrow. "Empire?"
Lin gestured toward the land. "Self-sustaining, fully fortified, and strategically located. If that's not an empire, I don't know what is."
The General let out a quiet, approving hum. "Better than I expected."
Jake, still silent, peeked up at Lin from beneath his dark lashes.
Lin knelt slightly, meeting his wide, serious eyes. "Hey, kid. Hungry?"
Jake hesitated, then gave the tiniest nod.
Lin grinned. "Good. We've got fresh bread, apple cider, and—" she lowered her voice conspiratorially, "—a Doberman who thinks he's a teddy bear."
That got a reaction.
Jake's eyes flickered with interest, his small fingers tightening around the strap of his bag.
As if summoned, Rex came trotting over, ears perked, tail held high, moving with his usual sleek confidence. But the second he spotted Jake, his demeanor softened—ears lowering slightly, movements slower, gentler.
Jake took a cautious step forward, lifting a small hand hesitantly.
Rex leaned in, giving Jake a single, slow sniff—then, as if approving, licked his tiny fingers.
Jake blinked, then let out a small, breathy giggle.
Lin tilted her head. "That a yes to making friends?"
Jake nodded again—firmer this time—as he pressed his small hand against Rex's sleek fur.
General Fang watched the exchange before nodding slightly. "He'll do fine here."
Lin straightened, crossing her arms. "So, General. How much of your doomsday stash did you bring?"
Richard Fang chuckled, the sound low and knowing. "Enough."
Lin grinned. "Perfect."
Because if the world was about to go to hell, she'd rather have a retired general and a very serious four-year-old on her side.