Chapter 15 - The Devil's Confession
The panic room was silent, cold, and smelled of stale copper.
Harper sat on the concrete floor, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees.
Chloe was huddled in the corner, exhausted and shivering despite the thermal blankets Harper had wrapped around her.
It had been four hours since the heavy steel door had sealed shut above them.
The muffled sounds of gunfire and explosions had ceased two hours ago.
Now, there was only a terrifying, suffocating silence.
If they are all dead, how do we get out? Chloe whispered, her voice cracking in the dark.
We wait, Harper replied firmly.
Roman said not to open the door for anyone but him.
Suddenly, the heavy metallic clank of the deadbolt echoing through the stairwell made both sisters freeze.
Harper stood up instantly.
She picked up a heavy metal flashlight from the emergency supply kit and raised it like a club.
The heavy steel door groaned as it was pulled open.
A figure stumbled down the stone steps, dragging their feet heavily against the concrete.
Harper clicked on the flashlight, blinding the intruder in a halo of bright white light.
It was Roman.
He was covered in gray dust, soot, and blood.
His left arm hung uselessly at his side, and a dark crimson stain was spreading rapidly across his ribs.
He leaned heavily against the concrete wall, dropping his rifle to the floor.
It is clear, he breathed, his voice ragged and weak.
Davis is retreating to regroup.
Harper dropped the flashlight and rushed up the stairs, grabbing his uninjured arm to keep him from collapsing.
You are shot, she gasped, feeling the warm, sticky blood soaking through his shirt.
Roman managed a weak, grim smile.
An occupational hazard, he murmured before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed completely against her.
Harper strained under his dead weight, dragging him down the last few steps into the panic room.
Chloe screamed, rushing forward to help lower him onto a small medical cot in the corner of the room.
We have to stop the bleeding, Harper ordered, her survival instincts kicking in.
She ripped open the trauma kit mounted on the wall and pulled out bandages, antiseptic, and surgical scissors.
She cut away Roman’s tactical vest and his ruined dress shirt.
The bullet had passed completely through his side, narrowly missing his vital organs, but he was losing blood fast.
Harper packed the wound with gauze, her hands covered in his blood.
As she applied pressure, Roman’s eyes fluttered open.
He stared at the ceiling, his breathing shallow and labored.
Why did you save us? Harper asked softly, her hands pressing hard against his side.
Roman turned his head slowly, looking directly into her eyes.
Because you are the only innocent thing left in this world, Harper, he whispered.
May you like
And I destroy everything I touch.
He closed his eyes, slipping into unconsciousness as the panic room descended back into heavy silence.
