Chapter 9 - The Raging Current
The concrete storm drain was a roar of rushing, freezing water. Heavy rain runoff from the mountain slopes surged through the cylindrical tunnel, reaching well past Ryan’s knees as they waded through the torrential current.
""Hold onto me!"" Ryan shouted above the roar of the water. He took Leo into his arms, lifting the boy high against his chest to keep him clear of the icy deluge. Clara clung to the back of Ryan’s flannel jacket, her boots slipping repeatedly against the algae-slicked concrete.
Leo’s small arms were locked around Ryan’s neck. ""Dad, I’m cold,"" he whimpered, his teeth chattering uncontrollably.
""I know, buddy. Just hold on tight. We’re almost out,"" Ryan promised, though the water level was rising with terrifying speed.
Behind them, through the echoing tunnel, the sounds of distant gunshots had ceased. All that remained was the hollow rush of the flood. Ryan knew Thomas was gone, and he knew Marcus wouldn't stop at the cellar door. Eleanor’s men would drive around the perimeter to intercept the drain outlet at the highway.
Suddenly, a massive surge of water tore through the pipe from an overhead drainage valve, hitting Clara like a freight train. She lost her footing with a sharp cry, her hands ripping away from Ryan’s jacket as she was swept violently downstream.
""Ryan!"" Clara screamed, her head dipping beneath the churning brown water.
""Clara!"" Ryan yelled, his heart stopping. He couldn't dive after her without dropping Leo. ""Clara, grab the wall! Look for a ladder!""
Ahead of them, fifty yards down the dark tunnel, a faint oval of gray light signaled the outlet. But just before the daylight, a massive debris grate blocked the opening, choked with broken branches and sharp metal scrap. Clara was hurtling directly toward the tangled, deadly barrier.
Summoning every ounce of strength in his legs, Ryan fought against the raging current, lunging forward through the water with Leo strapped against his chest. Clara hit the debris grate hard, her arm catching in the tangled branches, keeping her head barely above the rushing torrent.
Ryan reached her just as her grip began to fail. He grabbed her collar with one hand, hauling her upward against the grate.
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""I've got you,"" Ryan gasped, coughing out dirty water. ""I've got you both.""
Through the rusted bars of the debris grate, Ryan could see the open valley, the storm-swept highway, and the rusted blue pickup truck parked beneath the overpass. But standing beside the truck, wiping rain from his rifle scope, was Marcus.
