Cruel

Breakthrough

My heels clicking briskly on the concrete sends a spike of adrenaline fueled fear through me with every step. I make quick turns through the halls, only half lit due to the inaccessibility of these corridors at this time. Except I was here, in these halls, headed to the farthest and most protected room in the underground facility.

I readjusted the heavy black bag slung over my shoulder, the parts inside clanking quietly. I expected my instincts to cut in, for the voice to come back and tell me how absolutely crazy this was. But it didn't. My mind and my body were 100% on board. I knew what I had to do.

Approaching the last hallway, I slowed my pace and stood up straighter, feigning confidence and purpose. Taking a deep breath, I rounded the corner.

Only one guard resided outside of the metal door at the end of the hallway. He sat in a chair resting against the wall a few feet from the door, sound asleep. I smiled at the thought of J's reaction when I told him how easy it was.

Slipping off my heels, I softly padded to the door. Slipping out the crowbar from the side pocket of the bag, I typed in the code on the keypad that took me 3 weeks to dig up.

"Wha-who the hell are you?" a voice boomed from behind me. Shit. I didn't even have to look to know that guard was reaching for the gun on his side holster. The door hissed open and I spared no time. Sticking the crowbar in the top of the keypad, I pulled until the metal cover popped off and the wires spilled out. "What the hell?" he spat, barely grazing his fingers against my arm before I pushed the door open just enough for me to jump in. Before I could close it, he slipped a foot in and pushed against the door with admirable strength.

"Agh!" I grunted as I struggled to hold him back. Slipping an arm in, he grabbed my shoulder hard and began to twist. Biting back a scream, I raised the crowbar and cracked down on his hand, again, and again, and again, until I heard a sickening crack, one I knew would make J smile. Even as his grip loosened and he cried in pain, I kept hitting until I heard him crumple to the ground. Opening the door, I looked down on him as he cradled his hand to his chest.

"Oof. That really doesn't look too good. You might wanna get up soon though, honey. You don't wanna be around for this next part." Kicking his leg out of the way, I slammed the door.