Chapter 9 - The Final Breath
A thick green mist began pouring from the ventilation shafts in the ceiling of the vault.
The toxic gas hissed loudly as it rapidly filled the enclosed steel chamber.
The orphanage director cursed loudly and began frantically slamming her fists against the impenetrable door.
Julian dropped to his knees as his already weakened lungs burned with every shallow breath.
He knew that within three minutes the neurotoxin would permanently shut down their nervous systems.
Victoria refused to succumb to the panic and rushed back to the cryogenic control panels.
She noticed a heavy red emergency purge lever located behind a reinforced glass display.
She picked up her fallen titanium crowbar and swung it wildly at the thick glass.
The glass cracked slightly but refused to completely shatter under her desperate blows.
Julian gathered the absolute last ounce of strength left in his bleeding body.
He stumbled over to Victoria and raised his heavy assault rifle toward the control panel.
He fired a point-blank burst of armor-piercing rounds directly into the reinforced glass.
The display shattered into a million tiny pieces that rained down onto the metal floor.
Victoria reached through the jagged edges and violently yanked the heavy red lever downward.
The massive ventilation fans instantly reversed their terrifying spin.
The green mist was violently sucked out of the room replacing the poison with clean oxygen.
The two glowing glass cylinders hummed loudly and began the automated thawing process.
Julian collapsed against the wall and took deep agonizing breaths of the fresh air.
The heavy steel vault door suddenly unlocked and swung open with a loud electronic chime.
Arthur Sterling stood in the doorway holding a submachine gun with a look of pure shock on his face.
He had not expected anyone to survive the highly concentrated chemical trap.
Arthur recovered quickly and aimed his deadly weapon directly at Victoria's chest.
Before he could pull the trigger the orphanage director tackled him fiercely into the stone wall.
A loud gunshot echoed through the cramped tunnel as the two older figures wrestled in the dark.
May you like
Julian grabbed his pistol and aimed but he could not get a clear shot in the chaotic struggle.
Arthur violently shoved the director aside and pointed his gun straight at Julian's head.
