Chapter 6 - BREAKING THE BARRIER
Firefighter Reynolds swung a heavy metallic axe against the front door, splintering the oak frame with brutal force.
Inside the hallway, Evelyn and Jessica froze in sheer terror as armed deputies rushed up the staircase.
"Stay right where you are! Hands where we can see them!" Officer Vance commanded, drawing his badge and firearm.
"There's been a terrible misunderstanding—our daughter is just having a teenage tantrum!" Evelyn lied frantically, her face draining of color.
"Step away from that door right now or you will be placed under arrest for obstruction!" Officer Vance shouted down the hall.
Meanwhile, on the second floor, firefighters directed a high-pressure water line directly into the burning guest suite.
Captain Miller shouldered his way through the charred remains of the locked bedroom door, coughing against the thick gray smoke.
"Clear! We have a survivor!" Captain Miller yelled back down the stairwell, rushing toward the corner.
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Chloe lay huddled near the nightstand, clutching her black smartphone like a lifeline.
She looked up through smoke-stained tears, seeing the orange glow of flames receding behind the firefighter's protective gear.
