Chapter 11 - The Stables Escape
The old stone bridge felt slick beneath their shoes as a fine mist began to roll in from the nearby hills, mixing with the acrid smoke drifting up from the burning study. Julian held Clara tightly against his chest, feeling her breath grow shallower with every step. Elena rushed ahead, throwing her weight against the heavy oak side door of the old stable block.
With a loud creak, the door swung open, releasing the familiar, comforting scent of old hay, leather saddles, and motor oil.
“In here! Quickly!” Elena urged, holding the door wide.
Julian carried Clara inside, gently laying her down on a stack of clean horse blankets in the back corner of the stalls. He turned his attention to the vintage green Land Rover parked in the center aisle. The vehicle was caked in a thin layer of dust, but Julian knew his father had maintained the engine meticulously before his passing.
He climbed into the driver’s seat, pulled the manual choke, and inserted the heavy metal key into the ignition. He turned it once. The engine coughed, sputtered, and died. He tried again, pumping the accelerator pedal. With a loud, mechanical roar that echoed through the wooden barn, the vintage engine finally caught, idling with a steady, rumbling vibration.
“Mr. Vance! They’re coming through the bridge!” Elena shouted, pointing toward the entrance they had just used.
Heavy footsteps thundered against the stone walkway outside. Marcus and the two security guards burst through the stable doors, raising their rifles as their eyes adjusted to the dim interior lighting.
“Stop right there!” Marcus yelled, pointing his pistol directly at the windshield of the Land Rover. “Turn off the engine, Julian, or we open fire!”
Julian didn't hesitate. He slammed the gearshift into reverse, tires spinning against the packed dirt floor as the Land Rover lurched backward out of the stall. He threw it into first gear, slammed his foot on the gas, and aimed the vehicle straight toward the large wooden double doors at the front of the stable.
“Hold on!” Julian shouted to Clara and Elena.
The Land Rover smashed through the barn doors with a deafening crash of splintering wood and flying timber, bursting out into the moonlit gravel courtyard just as a volley of rifle shots shattered the side windows of the vehicle.
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Glass rained down over the interior, but Julian kept his foot glued to the floor, steering the vehicle wildly toward the main security gates ahead.
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