Chapter 7 - The Extraction
The heavy steel door of the vault hissed as the mechanical locks were overridden. Light flooded into the freezing darkness, blinding me for a split second.
"I've got her!" Elias’s voice rang out.
He was beside me in an instant, dropping his weapon to his sling and gently pulling me up from the freezing concrete. His hands were incredibly gentle as he assessed my injuries, his thumb lightly brushing the blood away from my cheek.
"You look terrible," Elias breathed, relief flooding his eyes.
"You're late," I managed to whisper, offering a weak, bloody smile.
"Let's get you to the med-evac," he said, moving to scoop me into his arms.
"No," I stopped him, grabbing his tactical vest with surprising strength. The adrenaline was masking the pain now. The fear was gone, replaced by a cold, burning need for closure. "I am not leaving through the back door. Take me upstairs, Elias. Now."
May you like
He looked at my eyes, saw the absolute resolve in them, and nodded. He supported my weight, wrapping my arm around his shoulder, and together, we began the slow walk up the stone stairs.
I was no longer the fragile wife. I was the ghost returning from the grave.
