Chapter 9 - The Final Showdown
Preston screamed into the phone that he had planted a bomb in the news studio.
He told me I had exactly three minutes to stop the broadcast or the entire building would fall.
I dropped my phone and sprinted out of the green room, screaming for everyone to evacuate immediately.
The studio descended into absolute chaos as producers, cameramen, and guests ran for the emergency exits.
I frantically searched the main anchor desk, pulling out drawers and tossing papers onto the floor.
I spotted a heavy black briefcase tucked securely underneath the main camera platform.
The digital timer on the front of the case was rapidly counting down from forty seconds.
I knew I did not have enough time to run away or safely disarm the explosive device.
Suddenly, a loud gunshot shattered the heavy glass doors of the television studio.
Preston walked into the room holding a smoking gun, his designer suit ruined and his eyes completely wild.
He pointed the weapon directly at my head and said we were going to die together.
Before he could pull the heavy trigger, a dark figure dropped from the catwalk above.
It was the Cleaner my mother had called earlier.
He tackled Preston to the ground, disarmed him instantly, and knocked him completely unconscious.
The Cleaner grabbed the explosive briefcase, sprinted to the reinforced bomb disposal chute in the hallway, and tossed it down.
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A massive, muffled explosion shook the foundation of the building, but the structure held firm.
I collapsed onto the floor, shaking violently as the police sirens finally surrounded the building.
