Chapter 6 - Shadow of the Giants
The old quarry was a desolate, eerie landscape of towering concrete structures, rusted iron machinery, and deep, dark pits. Under the moonlight, the massive gravel crushers indeed looked like ancient, sleeping giants cast in shadow.
Morales and Miller parked their vehicle a quarter-mile away and approached on foot, their weapons drawn. The air was freezing, and the wind howled through the rusted metal scaffolding, creating a haunting, metallic song.
Through his night-vision goggles, Morales spotted a vehicle—the same black SUV that had fled the chalet. It was parked near the base of the largest concrete tower, known as "The Colossus."
"I see movement," Miller whispered, pointing toward a faint light glowing inside the generator shed at the tower's base.
Inside the shed, Sofia was tied to a wooden chair. Her face was tear-stained, but she remained remarkably brave, staring defiantly at Marcus, who was pacing back and forth, holding her father's burner phone. Victor Vance stood near the doorway, looking elegant but sinister in a tailored wool coat.
"Tell me where your father hid the toy, Sofia," Victor said, his voice deceptively smooth. "The little black stick. If you tell me, you can go see your mommy and daddy right now."
"I don't know," Sofia sobbed. "Daddy told me to never touch his special things."
"She’s lying," Marcus growled, stepping closer. "Kids always know. Her father was obsessed with keeping her in the loop."
"I'm not lying!" Sofia cried out. "He only told me stories about the giants!"
Victor’s eyes narrowed. He looked up at the massive concrete structures surrounding them. "The giants... of course. The quarry. Thomas was always sentimental."
"We have company," Marcus suddenly whispered, spotting a shadow moving across the gravel outside.
In a split second, Marcus extinguished the lantern, plunging the shed into darkness.
"Miller, go left!" Morales shouted as muzzle flashes illuminated the night.
A heavy firefight erupted in the ruins of the quarry. Bullets ricocheted off the concrete structures, sparks flying into the cold air. Miller took cover behind a rusted tractor tire, returning fire to pin down Marcus.
Morales used the distraction to flank the generator shed. He kicked open the side door, his flashlight beam cutting through the dust. He saw Sofia tied to the chair, her eyes wide with terror.
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"Sofia! I've got you!" Morales yelled, rushing forward to cut her zip-ties.
But before he could reach her, a heavy blow struck him from behind. Victor Vance had been waiting in the shadows. Morales stumbled, his gun sliding across the dusty floor. Victor lunged at him, a wicked tactical knife glinting in the dark.
