Chapter 8: The Stairwell Escape
The panic in the ballroom was escalating into a dangerous stampede.
"We are too exposed in here," Julian whispered fiercely, dropping to one knee beside the table. He grabbed Sarah’s hand. "We move now. Stick to the wall."
Guided by the narrow beam of Julian's phone and the faint, battery-operated glow of an emergency exit sign, the three of them pushed through the frantic crowd. Julian forced open a heavy metal fire door, pulling Sarah and Leo into a stark, concrete service stairwell.
The door clicked shut, cutting off the deafening screams from the ballroom. It was eerily quiet, lit only by dim red emergency bulbs.
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Julian pointed down, intending to lead them to the street level. But before they could take a step, the distinct sound of heavy boots echoed from the floor below, rushing rapidly up the stairs. Someone was hunting them.
"Up," Julian commanded. "Move to the roof."
