Chapter 8 - The Lethal Injection
The harsh beam of the flashlight illuminated the terrifying scene on the upper catwalk.
Emily clawed desperately at the thick arm wrapped tightly around her neck, her face turning pale with lack of oxygen.
The real Ethan smiled wickedly, shielded completely from any potential gunfire by his daughter's fragile body.
"You really are an exceptional soldier, Richard," Ethan called out, his voice echoing loudly across the empty silo.
"But you are entirely too predictable when it comes to the people you love."
Ethan reached into his pocket with his free hand and pulled out a sleek, modern medical syringe.
The syringe was filled with a bright, terrifyingly yellow liquid that glowed unnaturally in the beam of the flashlight.
"This is a proprietary neurotoxin developed by one of my wealthiest dark web clients," Ethan explained proudly.
"It will completely shut down her respiratory system in exactly three minutes."
Richard raised his weapon, his finger tightening on the trigger, but there was absolutely no clear shot.
"Let her go, Ethan, and I will let you walk out of here alive," Richard lied smoothly, desperate to buy time.
Ethan simply laughed, plunging the needle violently into the side of Emily's neck and pushing the plunger down completely.
Emily screamed in sudden agony, her body convulsing slightly as the toxic liquid flooded her bloodstream.
Ethan forcefully shoved her away, sending her collapsing heavily onto the steel grating of the catwalk.
He quickly turned and scrambled up the final ladder, disappearing through the heavy steel roof access hatch.
The heavy lock clicked loudly from the outside, sealing him safely on the roof.
Richard abandoned his weapon and sprinted up the stairs, ignoring the burning exhaustion in his muscles.
He fell to his knees beside his daughter, pulling her trembling body tightly against his chest.
Emily gasped for air, her lips already turning a terrifying shade of blue as the neurotoxin attacked her lungs.
"Dad... I'm so sorry..." she whispered, tears streaming down her pale, bruised cheeks.
"Stay with me, Emily, I am going to get you out of here," Richard promised, frantically searching for an exit.
Before he could even stand up, the mechanized automated voice echoed loudly from the silo's intercom system.
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"Facility compromised. Toxic gas purge initiated in exactly three minutes," the robotic voice announced cheerfully.
Massive steel blast shields suddenly slammed down over the main entrance doors on the ground floor.
