Chapter 38 - Blackout in the Isolation Ward
"Come out, Danny boy," the old man’s voice echoed down from the mouth of the culvert.
Arthur Vance had reached the bridge. Standing beside him in the swirling rain were four private security operators dressed in tactical black, their assault rifles raised, lasers scanning the creek bed.
Sheriff Miller didn't hesitate. He thrust the AR-15 into Daniel’s hands.
"Take it," Miller ordered in a harsh, resolute whisper.
"Miller, what are you doing?" Daniel whispered back frantically.
"I've lived on this mountain for sixty-two years," Miller said, his voice dropping into a solemn, peaceful calm. "I knew what Arthur was doing in the nineties and I looked the other way because his money paid for the hospital wing that saved my wife’s life. I’ve carried that rot in my gut for thirty years. It ends tonight."
Before Daniel could stop him, Miller unclipped two emergency flare sticks from his vest. He struck them both against the stone wall.
Blinding, sputtering red magnesium fire flared to life, illuminating the entire creek ravine in an infernal glow.
Miller lunged out of the culvert into the open creek bed, screaming at the top of his lungs, firing his sidearm into the air: "Arthur Vance! I arrest you for the murder of thirty souls!"
*RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!*
A devastating volley of automatic gunfire ripped down from the road above. The creek water erupted into geysers of spray and mud. Sheriff Miller took the brunt of the fire, his body jerking violently before he collapsed backward into the rushing water, his red flares drifting downstream like dying stars, pulling the mercenary gunfire away from the culvert.
"Run!" Daniel screamed, grabbing Claire’s arm. "Claire, run through the other end! Now!"
They burst out of the downstream exit of the culvert, plunging into the black freezing waters of the lower creek. The current slammed against Daniel’s thighs, nearly sweeping him off his feet, but he held Lily above his head with one arm, using his other hand to drag Claire through the torrent toward the opposite bank.
Above them, the gunfire ceased.
"They're in the lower creek!" a mercenary shouted from the ridge. "Thermal signature spotted! Moving toward the abandoned county clinic!"
May you like
"Don't shoot the child!" Arthur’s wheezing voice screamed through the bullhorn. "Bring me the girl alive! I don't care if you bring the boy back in pieces, but the girl’s heart must be beating!"
***
