The explosion swallowed the corridor.
A violent wave of heat and debris rushed toward them like a hurricane.
"Alexander!" Emily screamed.
Alexander reacted instantly.
He pulled Emily against him and threw both of them forward down the staircase just as the blast burst through the hallway behind them.
BOOM!
The force slammed into the walls, shattering lights and tearing pipes from the ceiling.
Daniel barely managed to grab the stair railing before the shockwave knocked him off his feet.
Dust and smoke filled the narrow stairwell.
For several seconds, there was nothing but darkness and the deafening roar of collapsing concrete.
Then—
Silence.
Emily slowly opened her eyes.
Her ears rang painfully.
She realized she was lying on the cold metal steps, Alexander's arm still wrapped tightly around her.
"Alexander…" she whispered weakly.
"I'm here."
His voice sounded strained but steady.
Relief flooded through her.
