Chapter 9 - The Detonator
My blood ran colder than the freezing snow outside as Richard proudly held up the small plastic device.
"You are bluffing," Daniel said, though his voice wavered heavily with sheer terror.
"I never bluff when it comes to family discipline," Richard replied, his thumb hovering dangerously over the red button.
He took a slow, calculated step backward toward the heavy wooden trapdoor that led to the underground root cellar.
"I am going down into the reinforced bunker, and then I am blowing you both into ashes," Richard announced smoothly.
I knew that if I shot him now, his thumb would instinctively press down on the trigger as his muscles contracted in death.
We had absolutely no way to physically disarm him without sacrificing our own lives in a massive explosion.
"Let us walk out of here, Dad," Daniel pleaded, stepping bravely in front of me to shield my body.
"You lost that privilege the very moment you married her," Richard spat with utter, venomous disgust.
Richard grabbed the iron ring of the trapdoor and pulled it open, revealing a dark, steep concrete staircase.
He began to slowly descend into the safety of the bunker, keeping his thumb firmly pressed against the detonator.
"Goodbye forever, Sarah," Richard sneered, his head just barely visible above the wooden floorboards.
In that critical split second, I noticed the heavy, cast-iron wood stove sitting just two feet away from the trapdoor.
A massive pot of boiling water was resting on top of the fiery iron surface to provide humidity to the dry cabin.
I didn't hesitate to take the only chance we had left to survive.
I lunged forward with all my might and kicked the heavy iron pot directly toward the open hole.
The scalding, boiling water cascaded down the concrete stairs, splashing violently onto Richard's face and bare hands.
He let out a bloodcurdling scream of pure, blinding agony that shook the cabin walls.
His hands flew up to protect his burning face, involuntarily dropping the detonator onto the wooden floorboards.
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Daniel dove across the room, snatching the device just inches before it could slide down the dark stairs.
I slammed the heavy wooden trapdoor shut and threw the massive iron deadbolt firmly into place.
