Chapter 7 - The Heavy Steel Vault Door Swings Open Wide
The heavy door swung outward on oiled hinges, expelling a rush of stale, damp air mixed with the scent of old paper.
Inside the subterranean chamber, absolute darkness reigned, broken only by the thin beam of sunlight cutting across the threshold.
James reached inside the doorframe and flicked the master light switch, illuminating a cramped, windowless concrete room.
A small iron cot, a pitcher of water, and a stack of worn books sat in the corner of the desolate cell.
And huddled near the far wall, shielding her eyes from the sudden glare, sat a frail, painfully thin woman.
Her dark hair was tangled, her skin ghostly pale, but the familiar curve of her jaw was unmistakably Elena’s.
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“Elena...?” James choked out, his voice breaking into a ragged sob as the weight of six months crashed down.
The woman looked up slowly, her hollow eyes widening in sheer disbelief as she stared at the doorway.
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