Chapter 6 - The Flood
Panic erupted in the dark, suffocating basement.
"Breach the grate!" Miller commanded, firing three rounds into the heavy padlock.
The bullets sparked and ricocheted, but the reinforced steel didn't budge.
"It's no use, it's solid iron!" a SWAT officer shouted.
Suddenly, a loud mechanical groaning echoed from the walls.
Cold, muddy water began pouring into the room through large PVC pipes near the ceiling.
"He's flooding the basement," I realized, my blood running cold.
The water level was rising incredibly fast, already pooling around our ankles.
"The cages are bolted to the floor!" I yelled over the sound of rushing water.
If we didn't get the children out, they would drown in minutes.
The officer arrived at the top of the stairs with the evidence bag.
He tossed the rusted keys through the grate, and they clattered onto the concrete floor.
Miller snatched them up and rushed to the first cage.
He fumbled with the locks, his hands shaking as the icy water reached our knees.
Click.
The first door swung open.
I pulled the frail boy out and handed him to an officer.
The water was rising faster now, swirling violently around our waists.
Miller unlocked the second cage, and we pulled a terrified little girl to safety.
By the time we reached the third cage, the water was at my chest.
The child inside, a boy no older than six, was screaming in terror.
Miller shoved the key into the padlock, but it wouldn't turn.
"It's jammed!" Miller yelled, frantically twisting the rusted metal.
The water breached the bottom of the boy's cage, soaking his ragged clothes.
"Give it to me!" I said, grabbing the lock and twisting with all my strength.
The lock refused to yield, completely seized by rust and pressure.
The water level crested the boy's chin.
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He gasped for air, his tiny hands gripping the iron bars.
"We are out of time!" Miller shouted, pulling his heavy police baton.
