Chapter 8 Escape Through the Service Dock
The stairwell door slammed shut behind them, cutting off the blaring alarm into a dull, muffled hum. Concrete stairs spiraled downward into the dim emergency lighting of the basement.
Chloe took the lead, her bare feet moving swiftly despite the cold concrete floor. Every muscle in her body ached, but adrenaline kept the pain entirely at bay.
"Where does this exit lead?" Chloe asked, pausing on a landing to catch her breath. "The main lobby will be swarming with private security."
"Service loading dock," Sarah replied, checking the hallway map near the fire door. "There's a delivery truck leaving for the interstate in five minutes."
"Will the driver help us?" Chloe asked, casting a skeptical glance back up the stairwell.
"He's my brother," Sarah said with fierce conviction. "He despises Eleanor and everything her corporate syndicate stands for."
They descended another two flights of stairs, the air growing colder and smelling faintly of industrial diesel. The massive steel fire door at the bottom bore a faded yellow sign reading Authorized Personnel Only.
Sarah pushed the heavy push-bar handle, swinging the door outward into the bustling loading bay. A chilly gust of American autumn air hit their faces instantly.
Parked against the loading bay was a large white semi-truck with its engine rumbling heavily. The driver, a rugged-looking man in a flannel shirt, stood smoking a cigarette by the rear doors.
"Mark!" Sarah called out, waving her hand cautiously.
Mark whipped his head around, his eyes widening in sheer disbelief as he saw his sister and a hospital patient clutching a newborn. He immediately threw his cigarette onto the concrete and crushed it out.
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"What in God's name happened?" Mark demanded, jogging over to meet them in the shadows. "Your phone call said code red!"
"No time to explain, we need a ride out of the state right now," Chloe said firmly, flashing the white envelope. "Eleanor's hit squad is right behind us."
