Chapter 12: Ground Zero
Victor arrived at the Saint Jude Community Center at 5:48 PM. The dilapidated brick building sat in the heart of the densely populated tenement district. Children were playing soccer in the street, entirely unaware of the catastrophe lurking beneath their feet.
Victor kicked open the basement storm doors, plunging into the dark, damp subterranean labyrinth.
The smell of gas was already heavy in the air.
At the center of the basement, attached to the industrial gas manifold, sat a military-grade incendiary timer. The red digital readout displayed: **08:12... 08:11... 08:10...**
Beside the device stood a man in mechanic overalls, holding a radio detonator. He turned around, startled by Victor’s sudden entrance.
"The deal is off! Beatrice is in federal custody!" Victor shouted, his voice echoing in the concrete room. "Walk away!"
The mercenary didn't hesitate. He drew a combat knife and lunged at Victor.
Victor dodged, but the blade sliced through his jacket, cutting deep across his left forearm. Pain flared through his body, but the adrenaline overrode it. Remembering Michael’s sacrifice, Victor drove his shoulder into the man's chest, slamming him against the concrete pillar.
The mercenary struck Victor with a heavy blow to the jaw, knocking him to the floor. The man reached for the detonator on the table to trigger the blast immediately.
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Summoning every ounce of strength, Victor grabbed a discarded iron pipe from the floor and swung with all his might, striking the mercenary’s arm and sending the detonator clattering into the darkness.
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