PART 2
“Step back!” Lena shouted, grabbing the man’s arm and pulling him away from the bag.
Panic exploded.
Passengers screamed as security forced everyone further back. The gate was locked down in seconds.
Two officers pinned the man to the ground.
“Get the bomb unit—NOW!” Lena yelled.
The ticking was clearer now.
Not loud.
But steady.
Deliberate.
Rex stayed planted in front of the bag, unmoving, focused, ready.
“Good boy,” Lena whispered, her voice tight.
The man struggled beneath the officers. “You don’t understand! It’s not what you think!”
“Then explain it,” one officer snapped.
“I didn’t build it!” he shouted, desperation breaking through. “I was told to deliver it—I didn’t know if it was real!”
Lena’s jaw tightened.
Too late for excuses.
Within minutes, the bomb squad rushed in, fully suited, moving with controlled urgency.
The entire gate was now empty.
Silent.
Except for the ticking.
The technician knelt beside the bag.
Carefully opened it.
Everyone held their breath.
Inside—
Wires.
A small device.
A timer.
And something else.
A note.
The technician froze for half a second.
Then cut the main wire.
The ticking stopped.
Just like that.
Air rushed back into the room.
People exhaled.
Some cried.
Lena didn’t move.
“Is it safe?” she asked.
The technician nodded. “It was real. And close.”
Her stomach dropped.
“How close?”
“Minutes,” he said quietly.
Lena turned to Rex.
Kneeled beside him.
Pressed her forehead gently against his.
“You saved everyone,” she whispered.
Across the room, the man sat in cuffs, shaking.
“Who told you to deliver it?” an officer demanded.
But he just stared at the ground.
Silent.
The danger was over.
But the truth was only beginning.
And as Lena stood up, one thing was clear—
If Rex hadn’t stopped him…
This flight would have never taken off.
