Page 94 of Ruger's Rage

Another explosion sounds, closer this time.

The tunnel shudders more violently.

"They know about the tunnels," I realize with growing horror. "How is that possible?"

"Marco's been working with Striker for months," Sarah reminds me. "No telling what information has changed hands."

My stomach drops at the thought. Marco knowing about the tunnels means we need to anticipate he knows about everything—the one safe escape route we had might not be safe at all.

"Almost there," Ellie calls from ahead. "Another quarter mile."

The tunnel begins to narrow as it continues upward, the timber supports giving way to natural rock in places.

We're deep in the mountain now, the compound far behind us.

Sarah suddenly stops, head tilted. "Listen."

We fall silent, straining to hear whatever caught her attention.

At first, there's nothing but our own breathing, then—voices.

Distant but distinct, coming from behind us.

"They're in the tunnels," Kinsey whispers.

"Move," Sarah orders, pushing us forward. "Hurry!"

We abandon caution, scrambling up the increasingly steep path.

My lungs burn, each breath coming in ragged gasps.

Another rumble—this one so close the ground shifts beneath our feet.

Kinsey stumbles, crying out as she falls.

I grab her arm, hauling her up. "Keep moving!"

The voices grow louder behind us.

Men shouting directions, flashlight beams bouncing in the distance.

"There!" Ellie points ahead, where a faint rectangle of lighter darkness suggests a door or exit.

We surge forward, hope giving us fresh energy.

The exit grows clearer—a wooden door set into the rock face, secured with a heavy padlock.

Ellie fumbles with keys while Sarah stands guard, a pistol I hadn't noticed before now gripped in her hand.

We keep the girls in front of us, making sure they’re the first ones through the door.

"Hurry," I urge, watching the bobbing lights grow closer.

"Almost got it," Ellie mutters, fingers shaking as she works the lock.

The door swings open, revealing a star-studded night sky beyond.

Cool, fresh air hits my face as we all spill out onto a small clearing.

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