The liquid hissed as it touched the warm electronics.

“Stop him!” I cried out.

The guard holding me tightened his grip, digging his fingers into my collarbone.

I winced, but I did not look away.

My father did not move.

He stood perfectly still, watching the gasoline coat the hardware.

He looked down at his hand behind his back.

The blue light on his device was still flashing rapidly.

He was waiting for something.

“Are you proud of this, Ryan?” I asked, looking at my husband.

“Are you proud of helping him destroy everything?”

Ryan laughed, walking over to the server racks.

“I am protecting my inheritance, Emily,” he said.

“You never understood what it takes to keep a family like ours on top.”

“It takes sacrifice.”

“And today, you are the sacrifice.”

He took a box of matches from his pocket.

He struck one against the side.

The small flame flared to life, illuminating his cruel, dark eyes.

He held it close to the gasoline-soaked server rack.

“Wait,” my father said.

His voice was not loud, but it carried an authority that made everyone freeze.