Chapter 13
Before the security guard could lay a hand on Claire, David lunged forward with unexpected fury, tackling the man to the concrete floor in a sudden, explosive burst of adrenaline. The second guard drew back to strike David from behind, but Claire reacted instinctively, grabbing a heavy metal ledger from a nearby desk and throwing it with all her might, catching the guard squarely in the shoulder and throwing him off balance. In the chaos, Allison managed to loosen her bonds enough to kick free from the chair, sliding across the slick floor to grab the second guard's fallen flashlight and striking him across the helmet. As the scuffle raged around the subterranean vault, Lily stood quietly near the center of the room, entirely unfazed by the violence erupting in her presence. She walked calmly up to the massive steel vault door, looking up at the intricate brass keyhole that matched the exact design of the key hidden inside her doll. With steady, deliberate movements, Lily reached into her backpack, pulled out the doll with the purple bow, and handed it to her aunt Allison, who scrambled across the floor to assist her. Allison unzipped the concealed seam at the base of the doll, retrieved the heavy brass key, and handed it down to the six-year-old child. "Turn it, Lily, just like we practiced in your dreams," Allison whispered urgently, her voice raspy from the gag. Lily inserted the brass key into the ornate lock, turning it with both hands until a loud, resonant click echoed through the underground chamber, signaling that the pressure plate and mechanical tumblers had finally engaged.
