Chapter 8 - The Edge of the Abyss
I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart hammering desperately against my ribs.
"Let her go, Celeste!" I screamed over the deafening sound of the rain beating against the metal roof.
Celeste laughed, a cruel, piercing sound that echoed through the massive warehouse.
She demanded that I drop my weapon and kick it into the dark water below the docks.
I slowly pulled the heavy pistol from my waistband and tossed it perfectly into the crashing waves.
Celeste smiled in triumph and ordered me to walk up the rusted iron staircase to the catwalk.
I climbed the stairs slowly, my eyes entirely locked on my crying daughter.
When I reached the narrow platform, Celeste pointed a silver revolver directly at my forehead.
She told me she was going to force me to jump into the freezing water to save my child.
She promised to shoot us both the moment we hit the surface.
I looked deep into Celeste's eyes and saw nothing but pure, psychotic greed.
I knew she would never let us walk out of this warehouse alive, no matter what I did.
I slowly raised my hands in surrender, taking one tiny step closer to her.
I whispered to Lucia, telling her to close her eyes and remember the final step of our secret dance.
Lucia immediately stopped crying, her small body going entirely limp in Celeste's grip.
The sudden dead weight caused Celeste to stumble slightly forward on the slippery metal grate.
In that fraction of a second, I lunged forward with everything I had.
I grabbed the hot barrel of Celeste's revolver and twisted it violently toward the ceiling.
The gun went off with a deafening crack, the bullet tearing harmlessly through the tin roof.
I slammed my forehead directly into Celeste's face, breaking her nose with a sickening crunch.
She screamed in agony and completely let go of my daughter.
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Lucia tumbled backward toward the terrifying drop.
I threw myself over the metal railing, desperately reaching out into the empty air.
