Chapter 4 - The Sub-Basement
The electrical grid beneath Northwestern Memorial was a labyrinth of humming transformers, massive cooling pipes, and concrete corridors. It smelled of ozone and dust. Julian clicked on the stolen tactical flashlight, guiding Clara through the damp tunnels.
Every step Clara took sent a jolt of agony through her leg, but she bit her lip, refusing to make a sound.
“We just need to get to the steam tunnels,” Julian whispered. “They connect to the city’s storm drains. From there, I can get us to a safehouse.”
“Julian, they won’t stop,” Clara cried softly. “Victor doesn't let things go. You’re just a normal guy. You can’t fight a cartel.”
Julian stopped and turned to her, his face illuminated by the harsh beam of the flashlight. “I am a father. And you are my wife. There is nothing ‘normal’ about what I will do to keep you safe.”
Before they could take another step, the heavy metal door at the end of the corridor exploded open. Two more enforcers stepped through, their flashlights piercing the dark.
“There! End of the hall!” one of them shouted.
Gunfire erupted. Sparks showered down as bullets richocheted off the massive steel transformers surrounding them.
Julian pulled Clara behind a massive high-voltage breaker panel. He looked at the heavy machinery. He didn't have a gun, but he had something better. He had the grid.
“Cover your ears and close your eyes!” Julian yelled to Clara.
He reached into his toolbelt, pulling out his heavy-duty wire cutters. He located the main grounding cable for the massive 480-volt transformer beside them. With a fierce grunt, he severed the ground line, then kicked the exposed live wire into the massive puddle of condensation pooling on the floor between them and the enforcers.
The moment the enforcers stepped into the water, Julian threw the manual override switch on the panel.
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A blinding flash of blue-white electricity arced across the room. The deafening CRACK of high voltage echoed off the concrete walls. The two men seized, their bodies locking up as massive amounts of electricity surged through them, dropping them smoking to the wet floor.
Julian grabbed Clara’s hand. “Run!”
