Chapter 15 - The Counting Clock
The red LED display on the wall panels flashed aggressively: 00:29... 00:28... 00:27...
Panic instantly erupted across the grand hall as board members and journalists trampled over chairs to reach the main exits.
"Evacuate the building!" the police commander screamed into his radio, pulling his officers back toward the courtyard.
Maria bolted through the rear stage door, disappearing into the dark, labyrinthine service tunnels beneath the mansion.
"Julian, get everyone outside right now!" Arthur commanded over the screeching alarm sirens.
"Not without you, Dad!" Julian yelled back, grabbing his father's arm.
"Marcus, take Julian to safety!" Arthur ordered, turning his gaze toward the tunnel where Maria fled.
"She has the master override codes to stop the blast in her pocket," Arthur said with absolute focus.
"I am coming with you, Dad," Julian insisted, refusing to loosen his grip.
Marcus drew his sidearm and racked the slide with a dark resolve.
"I will clear the path," Marcus said, leading the way into the shadowy tunnel after Maria.
The three men plunged into the subterranean corridor as the timer hit 00:15 SECONDS.
The walls began to vibrate with a low, menacing electronic hum.
Ahead in the darkness, the sharp click of Maria’s heels echoed against the concrete floor.
"Maria! Stop!" Arthur's voice boomed through the narrow passage.
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Maria spun around at the end of the tunnel, holding a heavy chrome pistol in her right hand.
"Stay back, or I will detonate the secondary charges manually right now!" she threatened, her eyes completely insane.
