Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 - Breaking the Iron Gates
Marcus Vance sprinted across the slippery asphalt of the industrial courtyard, his heavy boots splashing through deep puddles as the freezing rain lashed against his face. He reached the side entrance of the abandoned warehouse, testing the heavy metal door. It was bolted from the inside. Ignoring the pain in his muscles, Marcus threw his entire weight against the reinforced frame until an old rusted latch finally snapped, sending him stumbling into the dark, echoing interior.
He switched on his high-powered tactical flashlight, cutting a sharp beam through the cavernous gloom. He followed a faint, nearly imperceptible sound echoing from the rear of the building—a sound that sent a chill down his spine. It wasn't the wind. It was the faint, muffled sound of a human crying out in agony, mixed with the tiny, fragile squeaks of newborn infants.
Marcus rushed toward the sound, his heart hammering against his ribs. He found himself standing before a massive, heavily insulated industrial freezer door. A digital display mounted beside the heavy handle glowed in the darkness: -50°F.
Panic surged through him. He grabbed the handle and pulled with all his might, but the heavy deadbolt held firm. It was locked from the outside with a high-security padlock. "Is someone in there?!" Marcus shouted, slamming his fist against the thick steel door.
From the other side, a weak, raspy voice barely carried through the insulation. "Help... please... my babies..."
Recognizing the voice instantly, Marcus froze in sheer disbelief. "Lena? Lena Carter?!"
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"Marcus...?" her voice drifted back, broken and fading fast. "Get us out... we're freezing..."
Realizing there was no time to find a key, Marcus scanned the surrounding area in a frantic search for tools. Spotting a heavy steel crowbar resting against a nearby wooden pallet, he grabbed it and jammed the wedge deep into the gap between the door and the heavy metal frame. Using every ounce of his athletic strength and fueled by adrenaline, Marcus threw his body weight against the lever. The metal shrieked in protest, sparks flying as the heavy locking mechanism strained against the pressure. With one final, roaring push, the reinforced deadbolt shattered with a deafening snap, and the massive freezer door swung wide open.
