CHAPTER 7 – Buried Alive
The darkness was absolute.
William pounded against the massive steel door with all his strength.
Nothing.
The vault didn't move.
The thick walls swallowed every sound.
Samuel leaned against a shelf, breathing heavily.
"They built this room to keep secrets in..."
"...and people out."
William switched on the flashlight from his phone.
Only 18% battery remained.
The beam swept across the room until it stopped on something strange.
A small metal vent near the ceiling.
Then...
A faint hissing sound.
Samuel's eyes widened.
"Gas..."
William smelled it seconds later.
Odorless.
Almost impossible to notice.
"They're pumping poison into the vault."
William ripped off his jacket and shoved it into the vent, slowing the flow.
But it wouldn't stop.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
Unknown Number.
He answered.
Eleanor's calm voice filled the room.
"You've always been intelligent, William."
"But intelligence without obedience becomes dangerous."
William gritted his teeth.
"You murdered innocent people."
"I gave people opportunities," Eleanor replied coldly.
"They chose the wrong side."
"You stole me from my father."
A long silence followed.
Then Eleanor laughed.
"No..."
"I saved you."
William froze.
"What?"
"You think Samuel was the hero?"
"You've only heard half the story."
The call disconnected.
Samuel's face turned pale.
"What did she say?"
William couldn't answer.
Because for the first time...
He saw doubt in his father's eyes.
Just then, the flashlight reflected off another object hidden behind a rusted cabinet.
It was another safe.
Unlike the first one...
This one required Samuel's fingerprint.
The old man stared at it in horror.
"I've... never seen this before."
His trembling finger touched the scanner.
ACCESS GRANTED.
Inside was a single envelope.
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Across the front, written in faded ink, were six chilling words:
OPEN ONLY IF SAMUEL SURVIVES.
