Suddenly, a high-pitched alarm began to blare from the hangar ceiling.

The overhead lights flickered and went out, plunging the hangar into near-total darkness.

Only the sweeping red strobe lights of the emergency system remained, casting a bloody glow over the snow-filled air.

My phone in my pocket vibrated violently.

A loud crash echoed from the back of the hangar.

A heavy metal security door flew open.

The red strobe light swept across the hangar floor, painting the concrete in rhythmic flashes of crimson.

Through the haze of exhaust and freezing air, I lunged forward.

The distance between Vanessa and me was less than fifteen feet.

My boots made no sound on the oil-slicked floor.

Vanessa was still looking toward the open security door, her eyes wide with sudden panic.

Lily was flat on her back, her small winter coat bunched around her shoulders.

I closed the gap in three long strides.

Vanessa felt my movement and tried to swing the barrel of her semi-automatic pistol back toward Lily.

I didn’t give her the chance.

I drove my left heel into the inside of Vanessa’s right knee.