Manila, Philippines
The Iwasar International Kindergarten was the most prestigious private kindergarten in the Philippine capital of Manila. Known for its bilingual education and abundance of outdoor activities, it had always been the first choice for the children of Manila's elite.
It was approaching 4:30 p.m., the end of the school day, but the children on the playground showed no signs of wanting to leave. All of them had their eyes fixed on the kindergarten gate, waiting expectantly for something.
The teachers didn't urge them either. It was Thursday—a special day for the kids. Every Thursday, a longtime partner ice cream truck would come to the school, and the children could exchange their reward stickers—earned through good behavior—for ice cream. This was the moment they looked forward to the most each week.
"Beep beep\~\~\~"
A few honks sounded, and a van passed through the gate, driving onto the school grounds. The children, recognizing the familiar vehicle, erupted into cheers.
The van pulled up smoothly in the center of the playground. Children swarmed toward it. The driver got out, smiling broadly and making silly faces, drawing fits of laughter from the kids.
"Alright, kids, give me a moment while I set things up. You'll have delicious ice cream very soon. Do you want some?"
"Yes\~\~\~!" the kids shouted in unison.
The teachers smiled too. It seemed today's ice cream guy was new, but he interacted even better with the children than his predecessor.
The driver swiftly unfolded the side panel of the van, transforming it into a serving window. Inside was a woman operating the ice cream machine.
The children squealed with joy, crowding around the window so tightly no one else could get near. Their happiness was infectious. No one seemed to notice that the woman behind the machine wore a slightly stiff smile.
"Don't push, don't push—there's enough for everyone!" the driver called out.
But the kids were too excited, chattering and swarming around. Shaking his head, the driver quietly stepped away from the crowd.
One by one, children received their favorite flavors and went off in little groups to enjoy their treats. Their expressions of pure joy seemed to spread like magic. A short distance away, children from wealthier families, typically uninterested in this "cheap" ice cream, started to look tempted by the festive atmosphere.
These were the children of tycoons and politicians. Normally, their parents wouldn't allow them to join such crowds, but they were just kids after all, and even they looked ready to join in.
At that moment, a Cadillac limousine bearing the American flag entered the school grounds. The flags and diplomatic plates made it clear it was from the U.S. Embassy.
Inside was Harrison Campos, the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines. His son attended this very kindergarten. Every Thursday, he would leave work early to pick up his child.
The embassy vehicle parked at the far end of the playground. Two bodyguards stepped out first, scanning the surroundings. One of them tapped on the window to signal the ambassador.
"Evan, it's time to go," Campos called from beside the car.
But his usually well-behaved son didn't respond. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on the distant ice cream truck, eyes full of longing.
"Evan, we need to go. Mommy's waiting at home," Campos said, walking over to his son and taking his hand.
But Evan didn't move. Instead, he looked up at his father with wide, pleading eyes.
"Daddy, I got all perfect scores this week. I earned six stars—more than anyone else. I can get two ice creams. Can you come with me, please?"
The boy's small voice was timid. Campos typically didn't let him eat things like this, but today he was desperate. He wanted to use one of his earned treats for his dad.
Campos immediately understood. A warmth stirred in his heart. The request was so simple—a little reward for hard work.
Although he usually forbade his son from eating such things, Campos couldn't bear to say no when faced with those expectant eyes. It was, after all, recognition of the boy's efforts.
He nodded.
"Wowwww!" the boy cried in delight, leaping with joy and tugging his dad toward the crowd.
Campos chuckled, relishing this rare moment of bonding. Surrounded by the sounds of children's laughter, he found himself wondering if he should spend more time with his son.
The teachers chuckled softly at the heartwarming scene. Just then, the "ice cream guy" who had earlier played with the children quietly exited the playground.
Laughter still echoed through the schoolyard. The bodyguards, seeing the ambassador surrounded by children, let down their guard. Near the gate, a campus security guard glanced suspiciously at the retreating driver.
But Makarov—the man posing as the driver—paid no mind to the guard's suspicion. As he walked out, he peeled off his mask, revealing his true face. When he reached the school gate, he paused deliberately in front of a surveillance camera and smiled. Then, from his pocket, he pulled out a small device and pressed a button.
"BOOM\~\~\~\~"
In an instant, the cheerful playground was engulfed by a fiery explosion. The ice cream truck and everyone around it vanished in a fireball. The sound of laughter ceased. Everything within a 20-meter radius was obliterated. What was once a joyful place became a scene of carnage. Even the guard near the gate was thrown to the ground, stunned.
On the security footage, Makarov gave one last sinister smile, then walked away without looking back.
…
The next morning
Owen was still curled up in bed, sound asleep, when his phone suddenly rang.
He didn't want to answer. But the ringing wouldn't stop. Eyes still shut, grumbling with sleep, he finally picked up.
"Whoever you are, if this isn't important, you're dead to me…"
It was Jack Bauer's voice on the line.
"Owen, something big has happened. Get to CTU. Now."
Jack's words immediately banished the last trace of sleep from Owen's mind.
If a regular cop said something big had happened, CTU might not care. But if CTU said something big happened—then it really was big.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 120)
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]