Chapter 6 - The Labyrinth Of Lies
Pure, unadulterated panic exploded in my chest.
I did not stop to think or put on my shoes.
I sprinted down the grand staircase and burst through the heavy oak front doors into the freezing morning air.
The estate’s sprawling hedge maze was notorious for being incredibly dangerous to navigate.
The walls were eight feet high and thick with thorny branches.
"Emma!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
There was no answer.
I plunged into the dark, twisting corridors of the maze.
The thorns tore at my clothes and scratched my arms as I ran blindly.
"Emma, mommy is here!" I yelled again.
Suddenly, I heard the faint sound of a child crying near the center of the labyrinth.
I navigated the dizzying turns, my lungs burning with every breath.
I finally burst into the small stone courtyard at the center of the maze.
Emma was sitting on the ground, hugging her knees and sobbing.
I ran to her and scooped her into my arms, kissing her tear-stained face.
"I have you, baby, you are safe," I cried.
"How touching," a deep voice echoed from the entrance of the courtyard.
Marcus stepped out from behind a tall hedge, blocking our only exit.
He held a thick wooden baton in his right hand, tapping it menacingly against his palm.
"Victoria decided the marriage contract needs to be broken today," Marcus said coldly.
"And a grieving mother is in no condition to be a supportive wife."
He took a step toward us, raising the weapon.
I shoved Emma behind me and picked up a heavy garden stone from the dirt.
"If you touch her, I will kill you," I promised, my voice completely steady.
Marcus laughed darkly.
"You are going to have a tragic accident in this maze, Sarah."
"Just like Julian had a tragic accident in his car."
He lunged at me with terrifying speed.
Before he could swing the baton, a loud mechanical whirring sound ripped through the maze.
Julian’s motorized wheelchair burst into the courtyard at maximum speed.
He rammed the heavy metal frame directly into Marcus’s knees.
The security guard screamed in pain and collapsed into the thorny bushes.
Julian spun the chair around, looking at me with wild, desperate eyes.
"Run back to the house and lock the doors!" Julian ordered.
May you like
I grabbed Emma's hand and sprinted past the fallen guard.
Just as we reached the edge of the courtyard, a deafening gunshot echoed through the morning air.
