Chapter 12 - The Basement Run
Clara didn't look back. She ducked through the service pantry, opening the narrow wooden door that led down into the estate’s cavernous basement. Behind her, the sharp report of a gunshot echoed down the metal staircase, followed by a scream of agony that sounded horribly like Julian.
Tears blurred her vision, but she forced her legs to keep pumping. The basement was a subterranean labyrinth of brick archways, ancient wine racks, and exposed heating pipes, lit only by tiny green emergency exit LEDs. She held Leo tight against her collarbone, murmuring a desperate, rhythmic lullaby into his soft curls to keep him calm.
""Almost there, Leo... almost there, baby...""
She reached the subterranean garage. Three luxury cars sat under white dust covers, but in the corner stood Julian’s vintage sports coupe. She clicked the remote; the amber headlights flashed to life, illuminating the wide, corrugated steel roll-up door.
Clara scrambled to the driver's side, wrenched the door open, and strapped Leo into the child safety seat she had installed two months prior when she still believed Arthur’s promise of protection. She clicked the buckle into place, kissed the baby’s forehead, and vaulted into the driver's seat.
She hit the ignition. The engine roared to life with a deep, throaty rumble. She slammed her hand against the manual garage wall switch. The heavy metal roll-up door began to groan, rising inch by inch from the concrete floor.
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Suddenly, the passenger side window exploded in a shower of tempered glass.
A bloody hand reached through the jagged opening, grabbing Clara by the hair and slamming her head hard against the steering wheel.
