Chapter 9 - The Federal Raid
I looked at the heavy steel beam crushing Nathaniel's legs, entirely refusing to leave him behind to burn.
"I am absolutely not leaving you to die in this room!" I screamed over the roaring, deafening flames.
I gently laid a recovering Lily on the wet floor and ran to the massive, burning support beam.
I grabbed a fallen metal pipe, wedging it aggressively underneath the heavy steel to create a makeshift lever.
"Push with everything you have, Nathaniel!" I cried, throwing my entire body weight onto the pipe.
With an agonizing, desperate roar, Nathaniel pushed his upper body off the floor as the beam lifted slightly.
He managed to drag his badly injured legs out from under the crushing weight just as the pipe snapped.
We grabbed Lily and threw ourselves into the low, narrow maintenance tunnel hidden behind the chemical storage racks.
We crawled frantically through the dark, cramped shaft as the laboratory completely exploded behind us.
We finally tumbled out onto the wet, deserted pavement of the alleyway behind the skyscraper.
Nathaniel pulled his secure, waterproof satellite phone from his pocket and dialed a highly classified number.
"I have the red folder, the forged documents, and undeniable proof of attempted murder," Nathaniel gasped into the phone.
Within ten minutes, heavily armored black vans completely swarmed the dark alleyway.
Dozens of elite FBI agents poured out of the vehicles, establishing a massive, secure perimeter around us.
I finally felt a true sense of safety wash over my exhausted, battered body as the authorities arrived.
The lead agent walked purposefully toward us, pulling a pair of heavy steel handcuffs from his tactical belt.
He looked completely serious and highly professional as he approached our huddled, shivering group.
Instead of asking for our statements or offering medical assistance, he raised his standard-issue weapon.
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He pointed the barrel of his loaded gun directly and unyieldingly at Nathaniel's forehead.
"Mr. Cross, you are officially under arrest for the domestic terrorist bombing of this building," the corrupt agent declared.
