Chapter 27 - The Blackout on Floor Four
"Sarah, get Chloe onto a portable oxygen tank right now," Marcus commanded, the shock instantly calcifying into raw, protective fury. "Kowalski, you want redemption? Stand by that door. If anyone wearing a private tactical uniform steps through, do whatever you have to do to buy us time."
Kowalski nodded grimly, scooping up his empty sidearm and the spare magazine from his vest pocket. "I’ll hold the hallway."
Marcus reached down and gathered Chloe into his arms, blankets and all. The six-year-old groaned softly, her eyelids fluttering open against the scarlet gloom.
"Daddy...?" she whispered, her voice tiny, cracked with weakness. "It’s so dark... my chest feels cold."
"I know, baby girl. Daddy’s got you," Marcus whispered, kissing her burning forehead. "You're safe with me. We're going to get you out of here."
Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the far end of the hallway crashed open with a deafening metallic bang. Heavy combat boots crunched against broken glass in the corridor. A voice, cold and professional, echoed through the darkness: *Floor Four is compromised. Secure the child. Neutralize all interference.*
Kowalski stepped out into the hallway and fired two warning shots into the ceiling, the muzzle flashes illuminating the narrow passage with violent strobe bursts. "Boston Police! Stand down!"
A rapid burst of suppressed automatic gunfire tore through the corridor wall. Kowalski groaned, stumbling back against the doorframe, his shoulder shredded by high-velocity rounds.
Marcus didn't hesitate. Holding Chloe tightly against his chest with his left arm, he snatched a heavy chrome IV pole with his right hand and kicked open the adjoining bathroom door, leading into the service maintenance corridor behind the pediatric rooms.
"Sarah, follow me!" Marcus hissed.
May you like
They slipped into the narrow, pipe-lined service corridor just as Miller’s tactical team breached Room 412, their laser sights cutting through the smoke-filled darkness like red daggers.
***
