Chapter 9 - The Race Against Time
The underground server room was rapidly turning into a blazing inferno.
Flames licked at the expensive computer terminals, and thick, toxic black smoke began filling the room.
I ignored Mrs. Henderson's maniacal laughter and focused entirely on the main console screen.
I frantically typed in the specific sonic frequency code Mr. Davis had highlighted in his federal files.
It was a highly specific audio signal designed to completely shatter the synthetic material of the parasites on a molecular level.
I hit enter, routing the emergency frequency directly into the school's public address system upstairs.
The computer system beeped softly, indicating the audio file was successfully queuing.
Suddenly, a massive chunk of the concrete ceiling collapsed directly onto the main server rack.
The entire computer console sparked violently, the screens shattering and plunging my side of the room into darkness.
The upload had stalled at ninety-nine percent.
The automated PA system was destroyed, meaning the life-saving frequency would never broadcast.
I coughed violently as the smoke burned my lungs, knowing I had less than two minutes before the room completely caved in.
I grabbed a heavy USB drive from the desk and jammed it into the only surviving emergency backup port.
I downloaded the audio file directly onto the flash drive, shoved it into my pocket, and sprinted toward the glowing staircase.
Mrs. Henderson was trapped beneath a fallen beam, screaming for help as the flames rapidly approached her.
I did not even look back as I ran up the stairs, bursting through the fake freezer door into the cafeteria.
The fire alarm was still blaring, and the children were still curled on the floor, weeping in confusion.
"Everyone, get up and run out the back doors!" I screamed, waving my arms frantically.
The older children grabbed the younger ones, sprinting out into the cold night air as the cafeteria floor began collapsing behind them.
I ran out the doors, completely ignoring the wailing sirens of approaching fire trucks and police cars.
I reached my car and threw the door open, my heart stopping as I looked at the passenger seat.
Chloe was seizing violently, gasping for air as the remaining black wires in her neck pulsed angrily.
The parasite was attempting to kill her in response to the damaged server underground.
I pulled out my cell phone, grabbed an adapter cord from the glovebox, and plugged the USB drive into my phone.
I opened the audio file, connected the phone to the car's maximum volume Bluetooth speakers, and hit play.
An incredibly loud, high-pitched screeching noise instantly blasted from the car speakers.
It sounded like grinding metal and shattering glass, so loud that I had to cover my own ears in pain.
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Chloe let out one final, piercing scream, arching her back completely off the car seat.
Then, the dark line under her chin simply shattered.
