Chapter 13 - The Escape Through the Service Stairwell
Julian hit the frosted glass partition with a heavy, muffled thud, the wooden frame rattling violently under his weight before he slid down to the carpeted floor, gasping for air as his hand flew to his bruised jaw. I didn't wait to see if he would get back up. I spun on my heel, bolted across the private office, and threw open the heavy exterior door that led directly into the concrete service stairwell. The door slammed against the concrete wall behind me with a loud echo as I threw my weight down the winding metal steps. My boots pounded a frantic rhythm against the rungs, the cold industrial air rushing into my lungs and burning my throat. Above me, muffled shouts echoed from the suite as Julian’s associates realized something had gone wrong, followed by the heavy, hurried tramp of footsteps rushing toward the stairwell door. I took the steps three at a time, sliding my hand along the cold iron railing to keep my balance as I rounded each sharp corner. The descent felt endless, a vertical tunnel of gray concrete and flickering emergency lights that tested every muscle in my legs. When I finally reached the ground floor exit, I threw my weight against the heavy push-bar. The metal door gave way with a loud metallic click, swinging outward into the damp, cool night air of the back alley. A sleek black sedan was idling silently near the shadows of the dumpster bay, its headlights dowsed. The rear passenger door swung open instantly, revealing Marcus Thorne sitting inside the dim cabin, his expression calm and composed as he looked up at me. "Get in," Thorne said quietly, holding out a hand to pull me away from the door as the echoes of shouting voices began to bleed down from the stairwell above. I dove into the back seat, slamming the door shut behind me just as the heavy upper exit banged open. Thorne slammed his hand against the partition, and the car surged forward into the dark, wet asphalt of the alley, leaving Julian and his empire fading fast into the rainy night.
