Chapter 12: The Chain Falls
The heavy iron chain slipped off the bars, clattering against the concrete floor with a deafening weight that sent dust billowing into the air. Julian pulled the cage door open, the rusted hinges screeching protest into the quiet room. "Get out," he said, his voice urgent as he reached inside and scooped Maya up into his arms, her light weight surprising him, feeling like nothing more than a bundle of dry sticks under her oversized sweatshirt. Leo scrambled out right behind her, his small boots hitting the floor with a dull thud as he grabbed the hem of Julian’s brown jacket. From the top of the stairs, a deep, raspy voice cut through the dark. "Well, well. Look what the rats dragged out of the hole." Julian spun around, still holding Maya against his chest, to see a broad figure silhouetted in the doorway at the head of the stairs, a heavy frame blocking out the light completely, a silenced pistol held low and loose in a gloved hand. Clara didn't move from her corner, her eyes fixed on the man in the doorway, her face draining of every last drop of color until she looked like a marble statue carved out of the basement wall.
