The heat from the fire above grew intense, smoke curling into the elevator shaft as Ochieng descended. Each step on the metal rungs felt precarious—one slip, and he'd plunge into the darkness below.
Cassandra was ahead of him, struggling to keep Marco balanced on her back. Lin Feng moved quickly, keeping an eye above in case their pursuers tried to follow.
Ochieng's mind raced. Veyron wouldn't let them go so easily.
They needed a way out before the entire building collapsed.
Then it happened.
A sharp whine cut through the air. A sniper round.
The bullet ricocheted off the metal railing, sparks flying. Lin Feng swore. "They have a shooter up top!"
Ochieng looked up. A silhouette peered over the ledge. A second gunshot rang out, narrowly missing Cassandra.
They weren't going to make it down in time.
Ochieng made a split-second decision.
Jump.
He pushed off the ladder, dropping past Cassandra and Lin Feng. Wind roared in his ears. His arms braced for impact—
Crash!
He landed hard on the maintenance floor below, rolling to absorb the shock. His ribs screamed in protest.
"Cassandra! Drop Marco to me!"
Cassandra hesitated, then let Marco's unconscious body fall. Ochieng caught him, staggering under the weight.
Lin Feng landed next, and Cassandra followed, barely keeping her footing.
Another gunshot rang out, but they were already moving.
---
They found themselves in a dimly lit maintenance corridor beneath the building. The smell of damp concrete filled the air.
Lin Feng checked the map on his phone. "There's a service exit two blocks down."
Cassandra nodded. "We need transport."
Ochieng reached for his comms. "Backup?"
The reply came swiftly. "Hostiles in the area. We're rerouting."
Damn. They were on their own.
Footsteps echoed behind them.
"They're coming," Lin Feng muttered.
Ochieng pulled out his gun. "Then let's make them regret it."