Chapter 3 - The Family Betrayal
Marcus stared at his father in complete disbelief. Arthur Ellison was supposed to be in a retirement home in Florida, suffering from severe dementia. Yet here he was, standing tall and looking sharper than he had in an entire decade. “Hello, son,” Arthur said, his deep voice slicing through the tense silence of the dark alley. “You’re behind this?” Marcus asked, tightening his grip on Lily. “Business is a ruthless game, Marcus,” his father replied smoothly. “Sarah was a nobody, a distraction who would have ruined your corporate image.” Sarah raised her pistol and aimed it directly at the older man. “You paid the police to fake my accident,” Sarah spat, her hands trembling with pure rage. “And you threatened to kill my baby if I ever contacted Marcus again.” Marcus felt a wave of absolute disgust wash over him. His own father had stolen his family just to orchestrate a lucrative merger with Diana’s corporate syndicate. “Put the gun down, little girl,” Arthur commanded. Dozens of mercenaries stepped out of the shadows, aiming assault rifles with laser sights at the small family. “If you shoot me, my men will turn you and the child into Swiss cheese.” Marcus quickly analyzed their grim surroundings. There was only one possible escape route left. Behind them was an old industrial freight elevator that led down to the abandoned subway tunnels. Marcus discreetly kicked a heavy propane tank from a nearby grill over onto its side. “Sarah, shoot the tank!” Marcus yelled. Sarah didn't hesitate for a single second. She fired a bullet directly into the metal valve of the pressurized cylinder. A massive explosion of white gas erupted into the alley, completely blinding the mercenaries. Under the cover of the thick smoke, Marcus dragged Sarah and Lily into the rusted freight elevator. He slammed his fist onto the emergency descent button just as bullets began ricocheting off the metal grate. The elevator groaned and began to plummet into the deep darkness of the underground tunnels. They thought they had finally escaped the immediate danger. But as the elevator reached the bottom floor, the control panel sparked and completely died. The heavy metal doors slowly opened to reveal a massive, ticking time bomb strapped directly to the exit gate.
