Chapter 6 - The Lumber Mill Trap
Peter stared through the shattered glass window, feeling an icy wave of absolute terror wash over his entire body.
Reena was smiling wickedly as she dangled the flickering silver lighter just inches above the gasoline-soaked concrete floor.
Drew was bravely trying to shield his crying sister with his broken body, despite being tied to the wooden beam.
The corrupt police officer stood near the main entrance, holding a drawn service weapon and scanning the dark perimeter.
Peter knew he could not simply charge into the building without getting the children instantly burned alive or shot.
He needed to create a massive distraction that would separate the armed officer from the psychotic stepmother.
Peter crept silently around the exterior of the decaying warehouse until he found the main electrical breaker box.
He used a heavy rusted pipe to completely smash the master switch, plunging the entire lumber mill into absolute darkness.
Reena screamed in sudden panic as the heavy industrial lights shattered, leaving only the small flame of her lighter.
The police officer cursed loudly and ordered Reena to stay perfectly still while he investigated the sudden power outage.
Peter waited by the side entrance, gripping the heavy iron pipe tightly in his bleeding, exhausted hands.
The officer stepped outside, blindly sweeping the beam of his tactical flashlight across the overgrown weeds.
As the cop passed the rusted doorway, Peter swung the iron pipe with every ounce of strength he had left.
The metal struck the officer perfectly in the temple, knocking him completely unconscious before he could even pull the trigger.
Peter quickly scooped up the dropped handgun and rushed into the dark, gasoline-scented warehouse to confront his brother’s murderer.
He aimed the weapon directly at Reena, ordering her to drop the lighter and step away from the innocent children.
Reena sneered in the dim light, showing absolutely no fear despite staring down the barrel of a loaded gun.
She mockingly congratulated Peter for surviving the highway chase, but claimed he was still entirely too late to win.
She explained that the gasoline puddle was massive, and if Peter shot her, she would drop the lighter as she fell.
Peter's hands shook with absolute fury, realizing he was trapped in a completely unwinnable, deadly standoff.
He pleaded with her, begging Reena to let the children go and promising he would hand over the insurance evidence.
Reena laughed cruelly, stating that she hated Aaron's children and wanted to watch them burn for ruining her life.
Drew looked at his uncle through the darkness, his brave six-year-old face filled with a terrifying, adult-like determination.
The little boy suddenly kicked his uninjured leg backward, forcefully kicking a loose piece of scrap metal directly at Reena.
The sharp metal struck Reena in the shin, causing her to flinch violently in unexpected pain.
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As she stumbled backward, the silver lighter slipped from her fingers and tumbled perfectly toward the highly explosive gasoline.
Peter threw himself forward with a desperate scream, diving toward the deadly spark before it could touch the ground.
