Chapter 5 - The Hunt
Anger replaced the grief tearing through my chest.
Silas had used my wife, and now he was here for my daughters.
I checked the security feeds that were hardwired into the panic room.
The cameras showed a dozen armed men sweeping the first floor.
They were systematically searching every room for us.
I knew the panic room could withstand a bomb, but we couldn't stay here forever.
The ventilation system was old and easily compromised from the outside.
I opened a hidden panel in the floor beneath the rug.
It revealed a narrow dirt tunnel I had dug years ago for emergencies.
It led to a boathouse at the edge of the property.
I handed Grace a flashlight and a spare pistol from the wall rack.
I told her I would hold them off while she got the girls to safety.
Grace shook her head and refused to leave me behind.
I told her she didn't have a choice.
I hugged my daughters tightly, promising them I would follow soon.
Nora wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and whispered that she loved me.
It was the first time she had spoken to me in over a year.
Tears blurred my vision as I lowered them into the dark tunnel.
I closed the floor panel and pulled the rug back into place.
I grabbed an assault rifle from the weapons locker and unlocked the vault door.
I stepped out into the basement corridor.
May you like
Silas was standing right there waiting for me.
He smiled and pointed a shotgun directly at my face.
