Chapter 6 - The Fall of the Queen
Chaos erupted in the tunnel. The two remaining guards instantly dropped their weapons, realizing the futility of the situation. They kicked their guns away and raised their hands. No paycheck was worth going down for kidnapping and attempted murder on a live national broadcast.
"You fools!" Eleanor shrieked at her guards. She lunged toward the police, her aristocratic mask completely shattered, her face twisted in rage. "Do you know who I am? I pay your salaries! I built this city! You can't arrest me!"
Two officers stepped forward, forcefully grabbing her arms and spinning her around. The sharp click of handcuffs echoing in the tunnel was the most beautiful sound David had ever heard.
"Eleanor Vance, you are under arrest for kidnapping, false imprisonment, and attempted murder," the officer read calmly as Eleanor kicked and screamed, completely losing her mind.
David didn't watch her get dragged away. He immediately turned his attention back to the steel door. One of the officers, carrying a heavy tactical breaching tool, stepped up and smashed the electronic lock. Sparks flew, and with a heavy heave, the heavy steel door slid open.
The smell of stale air and antiseptic rushed out.
Sarah Vance stumbled forward, her legs weak from years of confinement. She collapsed to her knees on the cold concrete floor.
Lily didn't walk. She flew.
The little girl ran as fast as her tiny, battered shoes could carry her and crashed into her mother’s chest. The sound that came out of Sarah was not a cry; it was a deep, guttural howl of a soul coming back to life. She wrapped her frail arms around Lily, burying her face in the child's dirty hair, rocking her back and forth.
"I've got you. Mommy's here. Mommy's got you," Sarah wept, kissing Lily’s face, her tears mixing with the dirt on the little girl's cheeks.
Lily clung to her mother's hospital gown, crying so hard her whole body shook. "I found the man, Mommy! I found the nice man! Just like you said!"
David stood back, leaning against the damp wall, letting his camera drop to his side. The livestream had ended. The police were securing the scene, calling for paramedics.
Sarah looked up from her daughter, her tear-filled eyes finding David. She didn't know his name. She didn't know who he was. But the look of absolute, profound gratitude she gave him was something he knew he would remember until his dying breath.
"Thank you," Sarah mouthed silently.
David just nodded, swiping a tear from his own eye. "Let's get you two out of this dark place," he said gently.
As the paramedics carried Sarah up to the surface on a stretcher, with Lily holding tightly to her mother's hand, they emerged from the greenhouse into the early hours of the morning. The storm had passed. The rain had stopped.
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Over the horizon, the first golden rays of the morning sun were breaking through the clouds, washing the dark, evil estate in a warm, cleansing light.
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