Chapter 6 - The Midnight Collapse
By the time Claire and Daniel reached the historic library, the autumn rain was pouring in sheets. The building was dark, the public grand opening scheduled for the following morning.
Using her master key, Claire unlocked the heavy oak doors. The interior of the library was magnificent, with towering shelves of restored wood and grandfather clocks ticking softly in the dark. But the air felt heavy, charged with danger.
"Marcus!" Claire called out into the shadows. "We know what you did! It’s over!"
A floorboard creaked above them on the mezzanine. A figure appeared, holding a heavy wrench. It was Marcus, his face pale and slick with sweat.
"I had no choice, Claire!" Marcus cried, his voice echoing through the hollow rafters. "Thorne has my family! He said if I didn't set the fire tonight, he’d kill them!"
"The fire?" Daniel shouted, drawing his flashlight. "Marcus, where is the device?"
Suddenly, a bright, white flash illuminated the high stained-glass windows. A low, rumbling explosion tore through the basement of the library. The power cut out instantly, plunging them into pitch-black darkness.
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"The main gas line," Claire gasped, her training kicking in. "Marcus, get out of here! The structure is compromised!"
Flames began to lick through the floorboards near the central rotunda. The smoke was thick, black, and choked with toxic fumes. Claire and Daniel ran toward the emergency exits, but a heavy timber beam, weakened by the blast, collapsed directly in front of the doors, trapping them inside the burning historical monument.
