Chapter 4 - The Blockade
Nathaniel ignored his mother's warning and tore out of the driveway in his fastest sports car.
The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a pale, cold light over the city.
He arrived at the decaying apartment building with only thirty minutes to spare.
The street was entirely blocked by heavy construction equipment and unmarked black vans.
Armed men in tactical gear stood in a perimeter around the entrance.
Nathaniel parked a block away and crept through a narrow side alley.
He found a rusted fire escape that led to the third floor of the building.
He climbed the rattling metal stairs, praying the structure would hold his weight.
He forced open a jammed window and tumbled into a dusty, abandoned hallway.
He ran down the stairs to the community room, where the children were huddled together in terror.
Grace was pacing the floor, clutching a heavy iron pipe she had found in the basement.
She spun around and raised the pipe when Nathaniel burst through the door.
"Mr. Ashford?" she gasped, lowering her makeshift weapon in confusion.
"What are you doing here?"
"I own the company that bought this building, but I didn't order the demolition," he explained rapidly.
"We have to get these kids out right now."
Grace shook her head, tears of frustration in her eyes.
"We can't leave, they have men with guns guarding the front and back doors."
Nathaniel looked out the window and saw the massive yellow bulldozers revving their engines.
Marcus Thorne stood near the lead machine, holding a walkie-talkie and looking at his watch.
"He doesn't care if we are inside," Nathaniel realized with horror.
"He is going to bring the roof down on top of us."
Nathaniel pulled the printed server logs from his pocket and handed them to Grace.
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"If I don't make it out, you take this evidence to the federal authorities," he ordered.
Before Grace could argue, the building violently shook as the first bulldozer slammed into the outer wall.
