Chapter 6 - The Full Extent of the Law
"Tell us what?" Priscilla shrieked, panic finally cracking her polished facade. "Tell us what, Dad? What is she talking about?"
I stepped out of the garage, walking slowly into the warm kitchen. I pulled my beanie off, letting my hair fall around my shoulders, and rested one hand calmly against my swollen belly.
"I told you this morning, Priscilla," I said, my voice cutting through the panic like glass. "This is my home. You don't own it. Gregory doesn't own it. And you certainly don't get to evict me from my own bedroom so your husband can have good natural light for his video calls."
Gregory’s face flushed a deep, ugly shade of crimson. "You little ungrateful bitch—you called the military on your own family over a bedroom?!"
Before Gregory could even finish the sentence, two of the military police officers stepped forward with practiced, terrifying speed. In one fluid motion, they seized Gregory by both arms, pinned him against the kitchen counter, and slapped heavy plastic zip-ties around his wrists.
"What the hell are you doing?! Let me go! I have rights!" Gregory thrashed wildly, his face pressed against the granite island right next to the roasting turkey.
"Do not resist a federal officer," one of the MPs barked coldly.
Priscilla shrieked, rushing toward them. "Mom! Dad! Do something! They're arresting Gregory!"
My father looked at General Elizabeth Vance, his voice trembling violently. "General, please! There's been a terrible misunderstanding! We're just family trying to help during a difficult time!"
Elizabeth didn't even blink. "Help? You locked a pregnant woman in a twenty-eight-degree garage, confiscated her master bedroom, and treated her like a servant in her own home. My brother died defending this country so ungrateful cowards like you could live in safety. You will vacate this property immediately."
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"Immediately?" My mother cried out, wringing her hands. "Where are we supposed to go?! It's Thanksgiving! All our luggage is still in the guest rooms!"
"You have twenty minutes to pack your personal belongings," Elizabeth stated flatly. "If you are still on this property when the local sheriff's department arrives with the federal eviction order, every single one of you will be escorted off the premises in handcuffs."
