Ethan threw himself to the side, rolling behind a concrete pillar.

Vance fired once, the sound of the gunshot deafening in the enclosed space.

The bullet hit the windshield of the sedan, spiderwebbing the glass.

The car swerved, hitting the rear of the idling SUV with a loud crunch of metal.

The door of the sedan flew open.

Paul Raskin stumbled out, his face covered in blood from a cut on his forehead.

“Ethan!” Paul screamed. “Get in!”

Ethan scrambled to his feet, but Vance was already moving.

He pointed the gun at Paul.

I knew I had to do something.

I let go of Lauren’s hand and pushed open the heavy steel door.

I threw the heavy gold pen as hard as I could across the concrete floor.

It skittered loudly near Vance’s feet, the metallic ring echoing off the pillars.

Vance flinched, his eyes darting toward the sound for a fraction of a second.

That second was all Ethan needed.

He lunged forward, his shoulder hitting Vance’s chest and sending both of them crashing to the wet floor.