Chapter 8 - The Panic Room
Maya rushed to the bed and scooped the terrified five-year-old into her arms.
"Hold on tight, Elena," Maya whispered, running toward the walk-in closet.
She punched a secret code into the keypad hidden behind a row of tailored suits.
The back wall of the closet hissed open, revealing a reinforced steel bunker.
Maya carried Elena inside and hit the emergency lockdown button.
The heavy vault door slammed shut, sealing them in absolute, terrifying silence.
Elena was sobbing hysterically, burying her face into Maya’s shoulder.
Maya sat on the floor of the bunker, rocking the child back and forth.
She began to sing the lullaby again, her voice shaking but determined.
Outside the steel walls, they could hear the muffled thuds of a violent war tearing the house apart.
Maya prayed to whatever gods were listening that Mateo was still alive.
She thought of her brother Leo, wondering if she would ever see him again.
Hours seemed to pass in the cold, windowless room.
Elena eventually cried herself to sleep, her tiny fists clutching Maya’s shirt.
May you like
Suddenly, the electronic keypad on the outside of the door beeped loudly.
Maya held her breath, staring at the heavy steel wheel as it began to turn.
