Chapter 12 - Clara’s Discovery
The sound of Clara’s scream froze Julian in his tracks as he held trembling Ethan close to his chest. Dr. Harris stepped into the vault, clutching the disabled detonator like a talisman.
"That came from the lower utility tunnels," Dr. Harris said, his voice tight with alarm. "Clara must have run right into Robert."
Julian gently set Ethan down behind the heavy oak desk inside the vault, pressing a firm hand on the boy's shoulder. "Stay here, Ethan. Lock this door from the inside if anyone else comes near. Do you understand?"
Ethan nodded bravely, his small hands gripping the edge of the desk. Julian turned to Dr. Harris, snatching the iron poker back from the floor. "Doctor, watch the boy. I'm going down."
Julian sprinted out of the vault and toward the rusted metal service staircase leading down into the sub-basement. The air grew damp and cold, smelling of stale earth and old copper wiring. The emergency red strobe lights didn't reach down here, leaving the narrow concrete corridors illuminated only by the erratic, flickering glow of overhead fluorescent tubes that buzzed loudly.
As Julian rounded the corner near the main electrical junction, he saw Clara lying motionless on the concrete floor beside an open utility panel. Standing over her, holding a heavy metal wrench, was Robert.
"You really don't know when to quit, do you, little brother?" Robert taunted, turning slowly to face Julian as he approached with the iron poker raised.
"Let her go, Robert," Julian demanded, his voice echoing off the concrete walls. "This is between you and me. It always has been."
Robert laughed, stepping casually over Clara’s unconscious form. "Family disputes have a way of expanding, Julian. You stole my birthright, you took my father's favor, and now... I'm taking everything else."
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Robert raised the heavy wrench, preparing to strike just as Julian charged forward, bringing the iron poker up to meet him in a violent clash of steel that sent sparks flying across the damp floor.
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