Chapter 2

I felt everything go silent around me the moment I pressed the button, so much so that I could hear my own heartbeat.

Three seconds passed, and business went on as usual outside the gate. Birds were singing in the trees, and parents were standing on tiptoes under the awning, straining to see how their children were doing. There was even a vendor selling iced water outside, calling out to the crowd.

Seven seconds later, the back of my shirt was completely soaked with sweat. If my suspicion proved wrong, losing my seven-year job was nothing—I could end up facing criminal charges.

I was just a mere exam security officer, so I couldn't possibly handle the chain reaction caused by setting off the top emergency protocol without cause.

Then, ten seconds later, sirens blared in the distance.

It wasn't just one squad car, but a whole fleet. It was as if they erupted simultaneously from all directions of the town, closing in fast from all around. I heard brakes screech, car doors slam, and a rush of footsteps echoing across the concrete.

Dozens of people suddenly flooded through the main entrance of the testing site. There were armed police, plainclothes officers, and several black SUVs with special license plates pouring into the scene.

In that instant, while the testing site's two main gates were locked from the inside, the armed officers formed a barricade, holding the parents 100 feet back.

Four SWAT officers didn't even wait for a command before closing in on Steven. They grabbed him by both arms, lifted him off his feet, and carried him toward the small office building beside the main school building.

Steven wasn't just detained. He even had his belongings collected by a forensic officer, including the bottled mineral water, and sealed into a standard evidence bag.

It was a process that took less than 90 seconds, but in those 90 seconds, Millbrook High School—and the whole county—was thrown into complete chaos.

There was even an announcement being made over the PA system, repeatedly announcing that the exam would be delayed.

In every single classroom, the students looked up in confusion, while the proctors exchanged glances, not knowing what had happened.

It was even more chaotic outside, as the parents were initially stunned before panic quickly erupted among them.

"What the hell is going on here?"

"My daughter is still in there!"

"Why aren't they starting the exam? It's the college entrance exam, for goodness' sake!"

They pushed against the large metal gates, only to be forced back by the armed police. There were even some who clung to the railings, shouting as they recorded everything on their phones.

In under 15 minutes, "Millbrook High School College Entrance Exam Delayed" became the top trending topic locally before it blew up statewide and went nationwide.

In the meantime, the Department of Education's landlines blew up completely, and people from the municipal government arrived one after another, only to be stopped at the cordon outside.

Donald Lester, the vice principal of Millbrook High School, stormed out of the office building, trembling all over in rage. He charged over, grabbed me by the collar, and barked, "You'd better explain yourself, Jason Gardner! Why did you press that button?"

He glared at me with bloodshot eyes. "Over 8,200 students are taking the college entrance exam in the county! That's more than 8,000 families! What the hell happened?"

I remained silent.

Just then, an unmarked SUV crossed the cordon and pulled up in front of me. Jeremiah Hill, a man in his 50s, got out of the SUV. He had short, spiky gray hair and held himself completely upright.

He walked up to me and fixed me with a piercing gaze. "You're the one who pressed the button?"

I nodded in response.

"State your reason."

I turned toward him, leaned close to his ear, and whispered.

Captain Hill's expression instantly hardened. "Where is it?"

"It has been bagged separately. It's with the forensic officer."

Captain Hill ordered, "Go lock down every entrance and exit and keep the exam on hold."

Mr. Lester practically jumped out of his skin beside us. "C-Captain Hill! It's getting way out of hand here! Superintendent Johnson has already arrived!"

Captain Hill didn't even spare him a glance. "Superintendent Johnson can wait outside since I'll be in charge of this testing site today."

Mr. Lester shuddered, not daring to speak again.

I followed Captain Hill toward the office building. He suddenly tossed a remark my way just as we reached the stairwell, never bothering to glance my way. "You're Jason Gardner, right?"

"Yes, I am."

"You'd better be right about this. Otherwise, you're going to face unimaginable criminal charges!"

I said nothing in response, but I didn't slow down for even a second.