†DOOR†

Samuel led the way, his body disappearing into the narrow ventilation shaft. He crawled forward, his elbows and knees scraping against the cold metal. The air in the vent was thick with dust, and he coughed silently, his eyes adjusting to the darkness.

"Come on," he whispered as he gestured for them to follow.

Sarah squeezed through the narrow opening with her eyes strained to see in the darkness. She felt her way forward, her hands outstretched, her fingers brushing against Samuel's boots.

Aria crawled next into the vent and Ryan entered last, his broad shoulders squeezing through the narrow opening. He replaced the grille behind him, plunging them into total darkness. The sound of the guards' arrival echoed outside, their voices raised, their footsteps heavy.

As they crawled, a loud sound echoed outside, like the screech of metal yielding to force. The guards had successfully breached the door.