Chapter 8 - The Desperate Key
David smiled wickedly as he realized the weapon was out of ammunition.
He slowly stood up, rubbing his injured shoulder, and kicked the empty gun away.
The hissing of the carbon monoxide grew louder, making the air feel heavy and suffocating.
My lungs burned with every breath, and Bennett was already starting to cough violently.
David informed us that the magnetic blast doors could only be opened with a physical master key.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, jagged piece of brass.
He held the key up to the flickering fluorescent light, taunting us with our only escape route.
Then, he deliberately tossed the key into the deep, murky water of the open sump pump pit.
He told us to enjoy our final sleep as he began walking up the stairs to safety.
I knew he had his own emergency exit planned on the upper floor.
I screamed for Lauren to grab Bennett and keep his face covered with her shirt.
I dove headfirst into the foul, freezing water of the deep sump pump pit.
I blindly scraped my hands along the slimy concrete bottom, searching for the tiny piece of metal.
My lungs screamed for oxygen, but the air above the water was just as deadly.
My fingers finally brushed against the sharp edge of the brass key.
I burst out of the water, gasping for breath, and scrambled up the concrete ledge.
I rushed to the heavy magnetic door leading to the exterior storm stairs.
I jammed the key into the manual override slot and turned it with all my strength.
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The locking mechanism groaned, but it did not unlock.
David had poured quick-drying industrial glue inside the keyhole before he threw the key away.
