Chapter 13 - THE BUNKER
My father guided Marcus through an old ventilation shaft.
I stayed at the glass with my mother.
Victoria held Grace under one arm.
Tyler watched me with hatred.
Director Shaw monitored the security screens.
“You ruined everything,” Tyler said.
“You tried to burn your unborn child.”
“She was never mine.”
“No,” I said. “You were never her father.”
His face tightened.
For the first time, the insult reached him.
My mother moved closer to the control panel outside the chamber.
Victoria raised the syringe.
“Bring Lily.”
“She isn’t here.”
“You’re lying.”
“She is under armed protection.”
Shaw checked a monitor.
“Hospital feed confirms.”
Victoria’s confidence slipped.
Then the ventilation grate behind her opened.
My father dropped into the chamber.
He struck Tyler with a metal bar.
Marcus followed.
Shaw hit the emergency control.
Gas began filling the room.
My mother ripped open the control box with her bare hands.
Sparks burned her fingers.
I helped pull wires free.
Inside, Marcus fought Tyler while my father reached for Grace.
Victoria stabbed him in the shoulder.
He kept moving.
Tyler tackled Marcus against the glass.
The entire chamber shook.
I saw a red lever labeled MANUAL AIR PURGE.
It was inside the sealed room.
My father crawled toward it.
Victoria aimed a gun at him.
My mother screamed through the glass.
“Jonathan!”
He looked at her.
Then at me.
He pulled the lever.
The doors released.
Fresh air blasted through the chamber.
Agents rushed in.
Victoria fired.
My mother shoved me down.
The bullet struck her chest.
I screamed.
Marcus shot Victoria in the leg.
Tyler grabbed Grace and ran toward the tunnel.
I followed despite the pain tearing through my abdomen.
He reached the far exit.
Locked.
He turned with Grace in his arms.
His face had collapsed into panic.
“Open it!”
Marcus approached slowly.
“Put the baby down.”
Tyler pressed a broken piece of glass against her blanket.
I stopped breathing.
Then Grace opened her eyes.
Tyler looked down.
May you like
For one second, he hesitated.
I lunged.
