Chapter 5 - The Basement Maze
Lucy slammed her hand onto the electronic door lock just a fraction of a second before the detective grabbed the handle.
I aggressively stomped on the gas pedal, and the old Buick finally roared to life, flying backward through the garage.
The car violently smashed into a row of metal trash cans, sending garbage flying everywhere as I desperately spun the steering wheel.
"Stop the car right now," Detective Miller shouted, completely dropping his friendly facade and drawing his service weapon.
I shifted the transmission into drive and floored the accelerator, completely ignoring the armed men in front of me.
I aimed the heavy vehicle directly at the metal security gate blocking the exit ramp.
The Buick crashed through the flimsy metal barrier in a shower of sparks and broken glass.
We tore out into the chaotic city traffic, completely blending into the sea of morning commuters.
My heart was beating so fast I could hear it pounding loudly inside my ears.
"Who was that man," Lucy cried hysterically, clutching her screaming baby to her chest.
"That was not a police detective, Lucy," I answered, constantly checking my rearview mirror for flashing lights.
"That was Adrian's older brother, the corrupt cop who has been covering up his violent crimes for years."
Lucy gasped, completely paralyzed by the horrifying realization that the authorities were actively hunting her too.
We could not go to a hospital, we could not go to a police station, and we certainly could not go back home.
We needed cash, a clean vehicle, and completely untraceable shelter.
I drove the battered Buick into the narrow alleyway behind an old, abandoned textile factory on the edge of town.
I parked the car behind a rusty dumpster, hoping the shadows would hide the broken headlights and dented bumper.
"We have to abandon the car, it is too recognizable now," I told Lucy, grabbing my purse and cane.
We hurried toward the rusted metal doors of the factory basement, a place my late husband used to work.
The lock was completely broken, and we slipped quietly inside the dark, cavernous building.
The basement was an absolute maze of ancient machinery, dripping pipes, and deep, terrifying shadows.
We hid behind a massive industrial boiler, sitting on the cold concrete floor to catch our breath.
"What do we do now," Lucy whispered, trying desperately to bounce Emiliano to sleep.
"We wait for nightfall, and then we go to Marcus," I replied firmly.
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But before I could explain who Marcus was, a loud, metallic screech echoed through the silent basement.
Someone had just violently forced the heavy metal doors open from the outside.
