Chapter 9 - Into the Flames
The intense heat from the explosion instantly shattered the windshield of their rusty pickup truck.
Sophie screamed in absolute agony, believing her parents were just incinerated inside the burning structure.
Daniel dragged her out of the vehicle, forcing her down into the safety of the muddy tree line.
Thick, black smoke billowed into the night sky as the wooden sawmill crumbled into a blazing inferno.
Thomas and his heavily armed mercenaries emerged from the smoke, casually scanning the perimeter for any survivors.
Daniel quickly realized the explosion was a calculated trap meant to kill them the moment they arrived at the rendezvous point.
He scanned the area with his rifle scope and spotted a second, unmarked van parked near the back of the property.
Through the van's tinted rear window, Sophie caught a glimpse of her parents, bound and gagged but very much alive.
Daniel and Claire nodded to each other, stepping out from the trees and opening fire on the mercenaries to create a massive diversion.
The deafening roar of gunfire filled the night as Thomas's men scrambled for cover.
Sophie used the chaotic crossfire to sneak around the burning wreckage, moving desperately toward the unmarked van.
She reached the back doors and grabbed the metal handle with a trembling, blood-stained hand.
Suddenly, a cold, muscular arm wrapped tightly around her neck from behind.
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Sophie was violently dragged backward into the shadows of the burning building.
She found herself face to face with Thomas, who was pressing a massive, serrated hunting knife directly against her mother's throat.
