Chapter 9 - The Plunge
The massive steel container groaned violently as the heavy cables snapped one by one.
Gideon did not hesitate for a fraction of a second, sprinting across the wet concrete pier.
He ignored the deafening gunfire erupting between the federal agents and his brother's desperate mercenaries.
He threw his body off the edge of the pier just as the burning container hit the freezing water with a massive splash.
The icy ocean instantly stole the breath from his lungs, but the adrenaline pushed him forward.
He swam desperately toward the sinking metal box, the flames on the roof hissing angrily as they met the sea.
The container was sinking fast, pulling dark, freezing water through the ventilation grates.
Gideon reached the heavy steel doors, but the locking mechanism was completely jammed from the impact.
He could hear Nova screaming from inside, the water already rising dangerously high around her small body.
Gideon pulled the heavy handgun from his waistband and fired point-blank into the steel locking pin.
The metal shattered, and he used every ounce of his remaining strength to pry the heavy doors open.
The ocean rushed inside, violently pulling Gideon into the dark, flooding container.
He grabbed Nova by her small jacket, pulling her terrified, shivering body tightly against his chest.
He kicked powerfully toward the surface, fighting against the heavy suction of the sinking metal tomb.
They broke the surface of the water, gasping desperately for precious, freezing air.
A police tactical boat instantly shined a bright spotlight on them, rushing over to pull them out of the deadly water.
Gideon collapsed onto the metal deck of the boat, wrapping a thick thermal blanket around the freezing little girl.
He looked back toward the pier, watching as federal agents forced his brother Elias to the ground in heavy handcuffs.
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The nightmare was finally over, and the monster who had haunted their lives was completely defeated.
Gideon held Nova tightly, closing his eyes as a profound sense of peace finally washed over his battered soul.
