Chapter 6 - Into the Fog
Clara didn't hesitate. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she clutched sleeping Lily tightly against her chest and sprinted toward the shadowed corner of the parking garage. Behind her, the sounds of violence erupted—the heavy thud of fists hitting flesh, the metallic clatter of an iron pipe striking concrete, and Julian’s cold, controlled grunts of exertion. She risked a single glance back and saw Julian disarm one of the attackers with terrifying efficiency, the scar on his cheek stark against his pale, focused face.
She reached the vintage black sedan, yanked the rear door open, secured Lily safely in the back seat across the bench, and lunged into the driver's seat. Her hands shook so badly she nearly dropped the heavy metal key, but she managed to jam it into the ignition and twist it. The engine roared to life with a satisfying, deep growl.
Clara threw the car into reverse, tires squealing against the slick concrete as she backed out of the tight alcove. Through the rearview mirror, she saw Julian fighting off two men simultaneously while Marcus stood by the SUV, watching with a cold, amused expression as he pulled out his cell phone.
Before Clara could process her next move, a heavy black sedan blocked the garage exit ramp, its hazard lights blinking rhythmically in the gloom. It was cut off. There was no way out of the underground facility.
The passenger door of her car suddenly flew open, and Julian slid into the front seat, breathing heavily, a streak of fresh blood staining his white shirt collar. His knuckles were raw and bruised, but his eyes were sharp and hyper-focused.
"Drive through the maintenance gate on the left," Julian commanded, pointing a bloodied finger toward a chain-link barrier marked Authorized Personnel Only.
"I can't smash through that!" Clara yelled over the roar of the engine.
"You can, or we die here," Julian replied calmly. "Step on the gas, Clara. Now!"
May you like
Clara closed her eyes for a split second, jammed her foot down on the accelerator, and the heavy classic car surged forward, crashing straight through the metal gate in a shower of sparks and twisted wire.
---
