Chapter 7 - The Trap
Brandon pounded his fists against the heavy oak door leading to the basement, but the deadbolt was firmly locked.
The loan shark and his men used this momentary distraction to completely flee the house, disappearing into the winter morning.
I kept the pistol tightly in my hand and ran to Brandon's side, asking him what Gene could possibly do down there.
Brandon’s face went dangerously pale as he realized exactly what his mother was planning.
He explained that the house’s main gas line and the backup industrial heating furnace were entirely housed in the basement.
If Gene decided to intentionally rupture the pipes, the entire estate could become a massive, deadly bomb within minutes.
We could already hear the terrifying, rhythmic clanking of a heavy metal wrench striking pipes below us.
Brandon ordered the remaining family members to evacuate the house immediately and run as far into the snow as possible.
The cousins and aunts did not hesitate, completely flooding out the front doors and abandoning the ruined brunch.
I refused to leave Brandon, tightly gripping Holly's hand as we stood bravely in the hallway.
Brandon grabbed a heavy decorative fire axe from the wall display and began smashing it violently into the wooden door.
Splinters flew everywhere as he hacked through the thick oak, finally creating a hole large enough to reach the lock.
He reached through the jagged wood, unlocked the deadbolt, and kicked the ruined door open.
A thick, overwhelming smell of raw natural gas immediately hit our faces, making it difficult to breathe.
Brandon told me to take Holly out the front door right now, promising he would be right behind us.
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I picked Holly up in my arms and sprinted toward the open front doors, the freezing winter wind hitting my face.
Just as my boots touched the snowy porch, a massive explosion violently rocked the very foundation of the estate.
