But before I could pull him up, a heavy hand grabbed his ankle from the smoke below.

The officer had recovered.

He dragged Daniel back down onto the burning floor.

“Morgan, run!” Daniel screamed before his voice was cut off.

The flames leaped toward the opening of the shaft.

I had no weapon.

I had no time.

I backed out of the shaft, my boots hitting the wet grass outside.

The rain had started again, hissing against the burning roof of the shed.

I looked toward the quarry road, my heart heavy with the choice I had made.

I started to run, the phone clutched tightly in my hand.

The coordinates on the screen pulsed, a tiny blue dot moving closer to the red marker.

I was alone in the dark, with nothing but my training and the drive to save my child.

Ahead of me, the massive stone cliffs of the quarry loomed against the gray sky.

The sound of a helicopter rotor began to echo off the rock walls.

They were preparing to move her.

I pushed my legs faster, my boots slipping in the mud.