Chapter 807: Chapter 807

Chapter 807:

A cascade of sparks erupted, slicing through the darkness. However, no one was there.

By then, Allison and Jareth had already fled elsewhere. They sprinted down three floors and finally burst out of the stairwell.

This floor had just been searched, room doors flung wide open. They slipped into one room and ducked into the bathroom for cover.

“It looks like we’re cornered, Mr. Williamson,” Allison gasped, peering at Jareth through the gloom.

Jareth’s voice was barely a whisper. “No, I’ll get us out of here safely.”

Verruckt’s orders were clear, and failure was not an option. Jareth knew that if he survived but didn’t complete Verruckt’s mission, a fate worse than death awaited him.

“Let me see to that wound.” Noticing his discomfort, Allison rummaged through an emergency kit she found in the corner. With a flick of her wrist, a flashlight beam cut through the darkness.

Jareth slumped against the wall, his hands pressed firmly against his thigh where blood was flowing freely.

“All this blood,” Allison’s voice cracked.

His injury from the stairwell skirmish was severe. The blood trail they’d left behind was a ticking clock, counting down to their inevitable discovery.

“If we stay, it’s over for both of us. Alice, head to the next floor. I’ll cover for you,” Jareth said, his voice strained but filled with determination. “Listen, there’s a secret passage at the end of the corridor. Go now!”

Allison’s frown deepened. “No, they have guns!”

“Take this,” Jareth said, handing her a gun after ensuring the safety was on. “If you run into any trouble, use it. Once you’re through the secret passage, you’ll be safe.”

He looked down at his injured leg. “I can’t go with you any further. I’ll just be buying you some time.”

Tears welled up in Allison’s eyes as she accepted the gun and stood firm. “I’m leaving then. Take care.”

“Go,” Jareth urged, grimacing with pain.

With a nod, Allison turned and left, her previously feigned fear melting away to reveal a steely resolve.

Click!

She carefully re-engaged the safety on the gun, mindful that its loud report should only be a last resort.

She moved toward the right-side stairwell of the building.

“Eh-hem…”

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