The auditorium buzzed with excitement. Parents, friends, and loved ones filled the seats, their faces glowing with pride and anticipation. Columbia University's iconic blue and white banners shimmered under the soft light as the graduating class of 2024 prepared for their moment of triumph.
Pascal Boomerang, seated in the second row, felt the weight of the day resting on his shoulders. His perfectly pressed gown, meticulously knotted tie, and polished shoes all spoke of years of preparation. But this day was more than just about walking across a stage—it was the culmination of his journey, a milestone that symbolized far more than academic achievement. It was a tribute to his late mother, a promise fulfilled to his grieving father, and a step into an uncertain future.
As Vice Chancellor Janet Barker took the stage, Pascal's thoughts drifted. The words of encouragement from the faculty, the achievements they celebrated, seemed distant. Pascal's journey had been filled with late-night study sessions, sleepless nights haunted by his mother's absence, and the constant pressure of being his father's only child—the sole carrier of the family legacy.
His best friend Eddie, standing as the valedictorian, spoke with confidence and grace. The speech, full of themes about embracing change and pursuing growth, resonated deeply with Pascal. Eddie had been a rock throughout their years at Columbia, but the truth was, Pascal's greatest challenge had not been exams or projects. It was living up to the memory of a mother he adored and the expectations of a father who, despite his love, was often emotionally distant.
Pascal's father sat in the far-right corner of the auditorium, wiping away a tear. Mendes Boomerang had done everything he could to ensure Pascal's success. Yet, his grief over losing his wife ten years ago in a tragic car accident had cast a shadow over their lives. Pascal had grown up in that shadow, striving to fill the void, knowing his father's expectations weren't just about achievement—they were about keeping a promise made to a dying woman.
Mendes had raised Pascal alone, refusing to remarry, devoting himself entirely to his son. Today was the fulfillment of that devotion. As Mendes wiped away another tear, Pascal wondered if this moment felt bittersweet for his father. Was this graduation a triumph, or just another reminder that Pascal's mother wasn't there to witness it?
As Pascal's name was called—"Pascal Boomerang"—he walked onto the stage, a mixture of pride and anxiety swirling within him. He received his diploma with a polite nod, aware of the eyes on him, particularly those of his father. As Pascal looked out, his father stood, applauding with a beaming smile.
But the moment was abruptly interrupted by a vibration in Pascal's pocket. It was his phone, a call from an unknown number. In the midst of applause, Pascal glanced down at the screen, his heart sinking as he saw the message flash: "It's urgent. Call me back."
Pascal felt the weight of the diploma in his hands, but his mind was now racing. Who was trying to reach him on such an important day? What could be so urgent?
After the ceremony, Pascal stepped outside with Eddie and his father to join the sea of graduates and their families. The golden hue of the setting sun cast a warm light over the campus, but Pascal couldn't shake the unsettling feeling in his gut.
His father's arms enveloped him in a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you, son. Your mother would have been, too."
"Thanks, Dad," Pascal whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
But even as Pascal smiled for photos and exchanged congratulations with his friends, his mind kept returning to the message. Something about it felt off.
When his father was momentarily distracted, Pascal stepped aside and dialed the number back. The phone rang twice before a hushed voice answered.
"Pascal, listen closely," the voice whispered. It was his father's business associate from the New York office. "Your father's in danger. Something's about to go down, and it's bigger than you realize. We need to talk… now."
Pascal's heart pounded. He glanced at his father, standing proudly, unaware of the storm brewing. Danger? What kind of danger?
As Pascal hung up, he began to piece together fragments of his father's life that had always seemed too perfect. Mendes Boomerang, a successful businessman with interests in mining and vehicle imports, had amassed a vast fortune, but rumors had always swirled about the darker side of his dealings. Whispers of under-the-table deals and dangerous competitors. Pascal had dismissed them as the price of success, but now, doubt gnawed at him.
What was happening behind the scenes? Why would his father's associate warn him? And how was Pascal caught in the middle of this? He knew he had to confront his father, but how?
As the sun set and the campus emptied, Pascal pulled his father aside. "Dad, is there something you're not telling me? I got a call—someone said you're in danger. What's going on?"
Mendes froze, his face shifting from pride to concern. His eyes darted around, checking for prying ears. "Who called you?" he asked, his voice sharp.
Pascal hesitated. "One of your associates from New York. He said something's about to go down."
Mendes cursed under his breath. For the first time in Pascal's life, his father looked truly afraid. Mendes grabbed Pascal's arm tightly, his grip almost painful. "Listen to me, Pascal. You need to stay away from this. There are people—dangerous people—who want something from me. And if they can't get to me, they'll come for you."
Pascal's blood ran cold. "What do you mean? What have you gotten involved in?"
Before Mendes could answer, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his face growing pale. "We need to leave. Now."
As they rushed to the parking lot, Pascal couldn't shake the feeling of eyes watching them. His father was on edge, constantly glancing over his shoulder. But just as they reached the car, a black SUV pulled up, screeching to a halt.
Two men stepped out, one holding a gun. Pascal's heart stopped. Mendes quickly shielded his son, his voice trembling. "Stay behind me."
The man with the gun smiled coldly. "It's over, Mendes. You should have known better than to double-cross us."
Pascal's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. Double-cross? His father had always been a man of integrity… or so he thought. The betrayal stung deeper than the danger looming before them.
As the man raised his gun, Pascal's world tilted. Everything he thought he knew about his father, about his family, was unraveling. And now, their lives hung by a thread.
In the tense silence, a single gunshot rang out.
Darkness closed in as Pascal's mind reeled.
Who fired? Was his father still alive? Or had Pascal just witnessed the unraveling of everything he held dear?
The weight of legacy had never felt so heavy.