She pushed the bar on the exit door, and it swung open into a dark stairwell.

“It’s clear,” she called out.

I fired a final burst down the corridor, then turned and ran.

We slipped into the stairwell, and I slammed the heavy door shut behind us, locking the manual deadbolt.

The stairwell was cold and damp, the concrete steps leading down into darkness.

We began our descent, our footsteps echoing in the tight space.

“Where are we going?” Mara asked, leaning heavily on the handrail.

“Maryland,” I said.

“The old estate?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. “We have to find the machine.”

The sound of metal groaning came from the door above us as the soldiers began trying to force it open.

We hurried down the stairs, the darkness swallowing us.

Behind us, a loud metallic bang echoed through the shaft.

I reached the bottom of the stairs and pushed open the exit door.

We stepped out into the pouring rain.

The cold water hit my face, washing away the sweat and dust from the facility.