Claws in the Dark | ✔

XXVI

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The noisy snarling and banging had died down. Landon and Antonio's group were awaiting that moment downstairs, where they could easily and quickly access the door to escape out onto the street. But there was one problem.

"Isn't there any way we can stop the metal door from making a whole bunch of noise?" Enrico asked.

Dawn shook her head. "My boss was supposed to have that feature installed but he hasn't returned as yet, and Lord knows when he will."

Everyone sighed in defeat.

"Wait," Joshua said. "What about the emergency step outside my room, Mom?"

"Hold up one minute..." Nelson said. "You mean to tell me that there's been an emergency exit all along?" He knitted his brows in anger.

"It completely slipped my mind," Dawn said.

"I almost lost my fucking ankles, lady!" he shrieked.

"Language!" Landon chided.

"Would you try to keep it down, please?" Enrico asked in a harsh whisper. "For God's sake, we don't want those bloody monsters coming back here."

"Listen, we can use the emergency exit to get down at the back of the building, go through the alley, and then we could make a run for the car," Landon explained.

"Forget about it," Nelson said. "Those things have that alleyway all to themselves."

"I propose an idea," Antonio interjected. "What if we open the metal door as a distraction, then escape through the emergency exit and do all the other stuff?"

"That's not actually a bad idea," his father agreed.

"Alright, I'll stay to open up the door while you guys head up," Landon said. Dawn, Joshua and Nelson started up the stairs and towards their destination.

"I'll stay behind to help you," Antonio said.

"No."

"What? You can't do this alone!"

"He's right," Enrico butted in, nodding in agreement with Antonio. "You go ahead, mi hijo. I'll stay back and help Landon." He glanced at the detective then back at his son. "We'll be out as soon as we can. Just give us a signal."

Antonio sighed. There was no use in even trying to argue. He gave Landon a quick kiss, and Enrico's eyes widened as he almost choked on a breath. Antonio hugged his father before scurrying off with the others.

Landon watched Enrico with a questioning eye. "I'm guessing you didn't know?" The astonished man shook his head. "Come on, let's get into position."

Enrico cocked the pistol in his hand and Landon awaited the signal. It was a long, silent, dragging moment and then it came – a bird call.

"I guess that's it," Landon said and pushed the lever to open the metal door. The creaking and groaning caused a swarm of Clawdens to crowd around the entrance.