Chapter 9 - The Dead-Man's Switch
Panic surged through my veins as I stared at the flashing red numbers counting down to our absolute destruction.
"If you shoot me, my grip relaxes, the button pops up, and this entire warehouse vaporizes instantly," Arthur warned, holding up the detonator.
It was a classic dead-man's switch, designed to ensure that if he died, we all died with him.
"What do you want, Arthur?" I yelled over the sound of the raging storm outside.
"I want the documents you stole from my safe, and in return, I will let the girl walk over to you," Arthur negotiated calmly.
I reached into my jacket and pulled out the thick envelope containing the evidence of his stolen life.
I tossed the heavy envelope across the concrete floor, watching it slide to a stop just a few feet away from him.
Arthur's greed finally overpowered his caution, and he bent down slightly to retrieve his precious secrets.
In that brief, distracted moment, Chloe suddenly twisted her body and bit down aggressively on Arthur's wrist.
Arthur screamed in shock and pain, his grip on Chloe loosening just enough for her to break free.
Chloe sprinted toward me as fast as her little legs could carry her, tears streaming down her bruised face.
Arthur roared in fury, raising the detonator high in the air as he prepared to intentionally trigger the explosion.
I didn't think; I just reacted with pure, desperate paternal instinct.
I dove forward, tackling Arthur brutally to the concrete floor before his thumb could release the pressure switch.
We rolled across the rough ground, exchanging vicious, bloody punches as the red timers ticked down to fifteen seconds.
I managed to pin his arm to the floor, wrapping my hands tightly around his fist to keep the detonator pressed down.
I slammed my forehead into his face, shattering his nose and finally knocking the monster completely unconscious.
I grabbed the detonator from his limp hand, holding the button down with a white-knuckled grip.
I looked at Chloe, who was standing nearby, shivering and waiting for me to save us.
I thought the nightmare was finally over, but then the heavy warehouse doors suddenly burst open.
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The city bomb squad rushed into the building, heavily armored and screaming frantic orders at me.
"Drop the detonator and run, the explosive charges are hardwired to a secondary, unpreventable timer!" the squad leader screamed.
