Chapter 9: One Bullet Left
"What in the world is that?!" Tevin screamed as he burst into the complex, his chest heaving, lungs burning, and eyes wide with terror. He skidded to a stop, staring back toward the exit like a hunted animal.
Merek barreled in right behind him, boots scraping against the floor as he slid to a halt. He spun around. "Close the shutter!" he barked, voice cracking with urgency. Without waiting for a reply, he dashed to the shutter and yanked it down with all his might.
But his heart sank—the padlock and its metal holder had been blown clean off. He stared at the mangled remains for a split second before gritting his teeth so hard his jaw popped.
"What do we do?!" Tevin shouted, voice high and trembling. The panic in it was like a dagger to Merek’s chest—but he didn’t flinch.
He couldn’t afford to.
Fear was death. And his will to live burned hotter.
Merek stepped back, reached for the metal bat that Mr. William had once wielded, and tightened his grip around the handle. He turned to face the shutter—where Yuki now stood like a sentinel—his expression grim and steady.
The elevator at the far end of the right hallway stood waiting. Their final escape route. A last resort if things spiraled out of control.
A heavy clang rang out.
Then another.
And another.