Chapter 6 - The Spark
Nathaniel recognized the rusted brickwork in the background of the hostage video.
It was an abandoned chemical factory owned by his father in the late 1990s.
He drove his Mercedes at terrifying speeds while Andrew followed with the armed convoy.
They arrived at the perimeter of the decaying factory within twenty agonizing minutes.
Nathaniel sent a text message directly to Vanessa.
"I am outside with the transfer documents."
"Come out and get them."
The heavy iron doors of the factory slowly groaned open.
Two armed guards stepped out, keeping their rifles aimed steadily at Nathaniel's chest.
"Walk inside slowly," one of the guards commanded.
Nathaniel raised his hands and walked into the dark, echoing building.
He found Vanessa standing confidently in the center of the main warehouse floor.
Clare was still tied to the metal chair ten feet away.
The distinct, sharp hissing sound of leaking oxygen filled the tense air.
Vanessa pointed a suppressed pistol directly at Nathaniel's head.
"Sign the papers and slide them across the floor," Vanessa ordered.
Nathaniel pulled a pen from his pocket and signed his name on the dotted line.
He slid the leather folder across the dusty concrete.
Vanessa smiled victoriously and bent down to retrieve her prize.
Nathaniel looked at Clare and gave her a single, almost imperceptible nod.
Clare immediately kicked the metal chair violently backward.
The metal legs scraped hard against the concrete floor.
The violent friction created a bright, brilliant spark.
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The highly concentrated oxygen in the air instantly ignited.
A massive fireball erupted between Vanessa and Clare, throwing everyone violently to the ground.
