Chapter 5 - The Hidden Tunnels
The dusty air duct was pitch black and incredibly narrow.
Ethan crawled forward on his stomach, ignoring the sharp metal edges slicing into his hands and knees.
He could hear Mister Vance raging furiously in the floral room directly below him.
The heavy thuds of the iron pipe smashing against the walls echoed through the ventilation system like thunder.
Ethan knew he had to keep moving toward the front of the massive building.
He navigated the twisting metal labyrinth, using the faint strips of light shining through the floor grates to guide him.
After several agonizing minutes, he peered through a vent and finally saw the main chapel below.
The room was completely deserted, and the beautiful white casket was still resting on the main pedestal.
Ethan kicked the metal grate with both feet until it popped out and clattered loudly onto the plush carpet.
He lowered himself carefully and dropped quietly to the floor.
He rushed immediately to the coffin and grabbed the wooden edges of the jagged hole he had made earlier.
"Mom, I am here," Ethan whispered frantically, reaching his hands inside to find her.
His fingers brushed against the thick duct tape on her wrists, and he quickly used the stolen scalpel to cut her free.
Claire let out a desperate, muffled sob as her hands finally broke loose.
She rapidly tore the silver tape away from her mouth, gasping deeply for air.
"Ethan, you have to run," she cried, pulling him into a fiercely tight embrace.
"They are going to kill us both to cover up his massive debts."
Ethan shook his head stubbornly, helping his mother climb out of the shattered mahogany box.
"I am not leaving without you," he declared bravely.
Just as Claire's feet touched the floor, the main chapel lights completely shorted out, plunging them into total darkness.
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The heavy main doors at the back of the room slowly creaked open.
A terrifyingly bright flashlight beam cut through the blackness, settling directly on their faces.
