Chapter 3 - The Hidden Vault
The computerized voice casually announced that the entire wing would detonate in exactly three minutes.
Marcus and Vivian had completely compromised the estate's central mainframe.
Christopher grabbed a heavy flashlight from the hidden emergency kit and pulled Emily into the dark tunnel.
The heavy bookshelf slammed shut behind them, sealing them entirely inside the narrow, dusty corridor.
"They want to bury us under thousands of tons of concrete and claim it was a tragic gas leak," Christopher panted.
Emily stumbled in the darkness, her simple maid uniform catching on the rough stone walls.
"Is there another way out of these old servant tunnels?" she asked breathlessly.
Christopher nodded, leading her rapidly down a steep spiral staircase that smelled of damp earth.
They reached a massive steel vault door that belonged to his late grandfather's original banking empire.
"This vault was built to withstand a nuclear blast, but we only have sixty seconds left to open it," Christopher warned.
He quickly wiped the dust off the vintage combination dial and began spinning it with frantic precision.
Thirty seconds remained on his glowing luxury wristwatch.
He heard the heavy, muffled footsteps of Marcus's armed guards rushing through the tunnels behind them.
"They found the secret entrance," Emily whispered in sheer terror.
Christopher entered the final digit and pulled the heavy steel lever with all of his remaining strength.
The massive door groaned and slowly swung open on its incredibly heavy, oiled hinges.
They threw themselves inside the dark vault just as the deafening explosion ripped through the estate above them.
The shockwave violently threw them to the cold metal floor as the tunnels completely collapsed outside.
Thick dust filled the enclosed space, making it nearly impossible to breathe.
Christopher clicked on his flashlight to inspect the damage and ensure they were completely safe.
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The beam of light swept across the vault and landed on a terrifying, unexpected sight.
Sitting in a metal chair in the center of the room was Emily's teenage brother, bound and gagged.
