I placed my foot in his palms and hoisted myself through the narrow gap.

My hands scraped against the dusty concrete corridor as I hauled my torso onto the floor.

I turned quickly, reaching back down to help him.

Nathan grabbed the edge and hauled himself up with surprising speed.

The elevator cable above us groaned loudly, and the elevator car suddenly dropped two feet, disappearing down the shaft.

A loud, reverberating clang echoed from below.

“Come on,” Nathan said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the service stairs.

We took the concrete steps two at a time up to the fourth floor.

My heart hammered against my ribs, each breath burning my throat.

We reached the door to room 412.

Nathan didn’t knock; he used his key card and pushed the door open.

Rosie was sitting on the edge of the bed, clutching her stuffed rabbit, while Nathan’s assistant, Mrs. Gable, stood by the window.

“We have to go,” Nathan said simply.

Mrs. Gable didn’t ask questions; she immediately grabbed Rosie’s small pink backpack.

“Mommy?” Rosie asked, her wide brown eyes looking up at me.