Chapter 6: The Escape
The heavy steel door swung inward with a deafening crash.
The towering guard stumbled into the chilly server room.
He raised the iron crowbar high above his head.
Julian did not hesitate for a single second.
He pulled the metal pin from the red fire extinguisher.
He squeezed the lever with all his might.
A thick, blinding cloud of white chemical foam erupted from the nozzle.
The pressurized spray hit the guard directly in the face.
The large man roared in sudden pain and confusion.
He dropped the heavy crowbar to claw frantically at his stinging eyes.
The heavy iron tool clattered loudly against the concrete floor.
"Run!"
Julian shouted, dropping the empty metal canister.
He grabbed Elena by the arm and pulled her forward.
They sprinted past the blinded, flailing security guard.
They burst out of the server room and back into the dark basement.
"The freight elevator is too slow now."
Elena gasped as they ran through the labyrinth of wooden crates.
"There is a maintenance stairwell at the north end."
Julian pointed toward a faint red exit sign glowing in the distance.
They dashed toward the emergency door just as alarms began to blare.
Victoria must have realized the network servers were breached.
Loud sirens wailed through the entire Astor Estate.
Julian shoved the heavy fire door open with his shoulder.
They rushed into the narrow concrete stairwell and began climbing.
"Detective Vance will need at least ten minutes to arrive."
Julian said between heavy breaths as they took the stairs two at a time.
"We just have to survive until the police surround the property."
Elena nodded, gripping the cold metal handrail to pull herself upward.
They reached the ground floor landing and paused to listen.
Heavy footsteps and angry shouting echoed from the hallway beyond the heavy door.
"They are searching the perimeter."
Elena whispered, leaning her bruised head against the concrete block wall.
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"We need to get to the garage before they lock down the courtyard."
Julian slowly cracked the heavy stairwell door open to peek outside.
