In ten seconds, the gap would be sealed completely, locking Vanessa out and us in.

Vanessa looked at the descending steel plate, then at the terminal screen.

She lunged forward, thrusting her arm through the gap to aim the gun directly at the computer monitor.

“If I can’t have it, nobody does!” she screamed.

I grabbed the heavy charcoal sketch frame from the floor and swung it with all my strength.

The heavy wood struck her forearm, throwing her aim off just as she pulled the trigger.

The gun fired, the deafening blast shaking the small room.

The bullet shattered the plaster on the far wall, sending a cloud of white dust into the air.

Vanessa dropped the gun, her arm recoiling back through the gap as she cried out in pain.

The heavy steel shutter slammed into the floor with a dull, final thud.

The locking bolts engaged with a series of deep, hydraulic clicks.

We were sealed inside, completely cut off from the rest of the house.

The red emergency lights flickered once, then died, plunging the room into absolute darkness.