Chapter 18 - The Crumbling Empire
The massive steel ceiling beams groaned loudly and began to collapse under the crushing force of the forklift. The cartel mercenaries dropped their heavy weapons and ran for their lives as the roof started actively caving in. I scrambled rapidly down the metal stairs, completely ignoring the falling debris and toxic dust filling the air. Luke jumped gracefully out of the forklift and ran toward me, wrapping his arms around me in a desperate hug. We did not have a single second to celebrate, because the warehouse was quickly becoming a fiery death trap. Sparks from the crushed electrical panels ignited several hidden barrels of smuggled and highly flammable industrial chemicals. A massive wall of intense, blistering flames separated us completely from the main exit of the crumbling building. I looked through the thick smoke and saw Christopher desperately trying to drag himself toward the back door. He had completely abandoned the medical incubator, leaving the innocent newborn baby to burn alive in the flames. Despite every incredibly evil thing he had done, I could not let an innocent child die for his sins. I sprinted bravely across the burning floor, dodging flaming pieces of debris as I reached the makeshift office. I grabbed the crying infant from the glass incubator and shielded his fragile body with my thick designer jacket. Luke forcefully kicked open a blocked ventilation grate on the brick wall, creating a narrow but viable escape route. I pushed the screaming baby through the tight hole first, allowing Luke to gently pull him out to safety. I squeezed through the dirty metal shaft just as the main roof collapsed completely in a deafening roar. The massive explosive shockwave threw us violently onto the cold, wet grass outside the burning building. We watched helplessly as the entire warehouse was entirely consumed by an unstoppable and fierce inferno. Sirens wailed loudly in the distance, but I knew Christopher had definitely not escaped the righteous fire.
