Chapter 7 - Shadows on the Wall
Heavy, rushing footsteps suddenly echoed through the corridor outside the hidden chamber.
"Quick, we have to move now!" Julian shouted, pulling out a small pocket knife to slice through the thick ropes.
The tough nylon cord snapped, freeing Arthur's upper body.
Arthur's lifeless, paralyzed arms slouched heavily into Julian's lap.
"Dad, stand up! Try to walk!" Julian pleaded, pulling his father's heavy frame upward.
Arthur could not move a single muscle; his body was completely limp and unyielding.
The heavy steel door of the hidden chamber suddenly rattled as keycards were swiped rapidly from the outside.
BEEP-BEEP-BEEP.
"In here! Someone breached the sector!" a guard yelled from outside the door.
Julian looked around the room in absolute panic, realizing there was no second exit.
The only way out was back through the tiny brick hole leading to the dark wine cellar.
Julian dragged his father's heavy, unresponsive body toward the hole in the brick wall.
He pushed Arthur's legs through the gap first, struggling against the massive weight.
The heavy steel door slammed open with a loud metallic crash.
Three armed security guards in tactical gear burst into the room with weapons raised.
"Freeze! Don't move!" the lead guard roared, aiming a stun rifle directly at Julian's chest.
Julian threw himself in front of his father's body, shielding Arthur with his own torso.
"Shoot me, and the whole world finds out what you did!" Julian screamed defiance into their faces.
Suddenly, a tall figure stepped out from behind the guards into the doorway.
It was Marcus, holding a heavy suppressed pistol in his right hand.
"Lower your weapons," Marcus commanded the guards in an icy, authoritative tone.
setup was complete, and the chess pieces were all moving exactly where he wanted them.
May you like
"Marcus! Tell them to back off!" Julian demanded, his eyes wide with betrayal and anger.
Marcus slowly raised his pistol, aiming the dark silencer barrel directly at Julian's forehead.
