Chapter 7 - Shadows in the Tunnels
The subterranean passage was cold and smelled of damp earth and old concrete. Emergency backup lights cast long, distorted shadows along the walls as I hurried forward, holding Leo so tightly his small fingers dug into my shoulders.
"Clara, I'm scared," he sobbed into my neck.
"I know, sweetie. I've got you. I'm not going anywhere," I panted, pushing through the darkness.
Suddenly, a flashlight beam cut through the gloom ahead of us.
A heavy-set man in tactical gear stepped out from a cross-corridor, blocking our path. A cruel grin spread across his scarred face as he raised a silenced pistol.
"Well, look what we found," the intruder sneered. "The boss’s little pets."
My instincts, sharpened by weeks of living on the edge of a criminal empire, took over. Instead of freezing, I grabbed a heavy iron pipe leaning against the tunnel wall, stepped in front of Leo, and swung with every ounce of strength I had.
The pipe connected solidly with the mercenary’s knee with a sickening crunch. He screamed, dropping his weapon as he collapsed to the concrete.
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I didn't hesitate. I grabbed his dropped pistol, keeping my trembling hands steady, and kicked his rifle away into the shadows.
"Keep moving," I whispered to myself, turning and sprinting down the remaining length of the tunnel until I saw a heavy steel door leading out into the dense woods behind the property.
