Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first chapter. I have no idea how long this story will be in terms of numbers of chapters because I haven't actually organised it into chapters yet! Let's just see what happens ... no point in limiting ourselves, is there? ;o)
Down in the basement, the beams from several torches flickered around in the darkness. Rod Skase edged down the stairs, feeling the walls for a light switch and swearing quietly to himself when he couldn't find one. Kerry Holmes tapped him on the shoulder from behind, and tried to pass him a torch.
"I wouldn't need the bloody torch if I could find a light switch, would I?" he snapped impatiently, at the same time almost tripping over a pile of boxes on the bottom step. Kerry rolled her eyes as she exchanged glances with Debbie McAllister.
"Just use the torch, Rod," sighed Chris Deakin from somewhere behind him. Skase scowled, but snatched the torch from Kerry and stalked off down the corridor. Debbie shook her head despairingly as Kerry smirked.
"Right, this is where they came ... must have been looking for another way out. You two go right down to the end," Deakin pointed down the black corridor. "Then go to the left and check the toilets and offices. Rod! You and Tom do these round the corner here ... Duncan, you with me down this way."
"Any more torches, Gov?" asked Kerry.
"Nope, you'll have to make do with one between you. Off you go, come on; I don't want to be here all night!" Deakin turned on his torch and opened the door nearest to him.
Kerry and Debbie trudged down the corridor; the thin beam of the torch barely giving adequate light to see the walls, let alone search the place.
"Trust us to get the one with the flat battery," Debbie sighed. "I can't see a bloody thing!"
She pushed open the door to the men's toilets at the far end of the corridor and shone the torch around. A damp, stale smell wafted out, making them grimace. Even in the dim light, they could see that the floor was damp and mildew had been creeping up the walls over several years by the look of it.
"This is a waste of time," Debbie snapped, leaning against the door. "Check the cubicles and we can get out of here."
Kerry resignedly took the torch and stepped past Debbie into the toilets. She rounded the corner, and glanced briefly into each cubicle.
"Nothing, Sarge," Kerry sighed, edging down the row.
"EVERYONE OUT! NOW! THERE'S A BOMB!"
Jack Meadows yelled down the steps as loudly as he could, as people ran past him, coming down from the upper floor.
Deakin jogged up the steps. "Sir, what the hell's going on?"
"There's a bloody bomb in the building somewhere, set to go off at any minute! Get out now!"
"Come on, Kerry!" From so far away, Debbie had not heard exactly what had been said, but could tell from the urgency in Meadows' voice that now was not a time to be hanging around.
Kerry jumped; in the confined space, Debbie's voice had echoed like a foghorn. She turned sharply towards the door but slipped suddenly on the shiny wet floor. Taken by surprise she landed awkwardly and the torch flew out of her hand, skidded across the ground and came to rest beside the wall.
Debbie, who had all but left the room and was standing outside the door, holding it open, heard a sudden crash and a short cry. "Kerry? What was that?"
"Sarge," Kerry's voice was short. "I'm gonna need a hand."
"Everyone move, now!" Deakin stood at the top of the steps, watching anxiously as his officers came running up towards him. Duncan, Tom, Rod ...
"Come on, Sir, MOVE!" Deakin grabbed Meadows' arm and pulled him away.
"But Chris, they're not all out yet...."
"They'll have heard the warnings; they'll all be on the way! Come on!"
Exasperatedly, Debbie flung the door open and entered the room, almost slipping herself. She glanced backwards into the corridor where the light and voices were dying out, then stepped precariously over to Kerry.
"For God's sake, Kerry, there's a bomb!" she gasped impatiently, seizing the torch from the floor; "This isn't up for debate!" She reached out a hand to help Kerry up, trying to avoid touching the mildew-coated wall.
"I can't, Sarge," Kerry winced as she struggled to stand up, "My ankle, I think I twisted it when I slipped; It really hurts, I don't think I can walk."
With genuine fear beginning to set it, Debbie took charge and quickly helped Kerry into a standing position. "Take the torch. Now, put your arm round me and let's go, come on, move!" They left the room and started back down to the stairwell at the other end of the corridor at an unsteady pace.
The crowd of onlookers to the incident had begun to disperse once the hostages had been brought out, but soon began to reassemble, as it became apparent that the excitement was not yet over. The bomb squad pulled into the scene, closely followed by two fire engines.
The Sun Hill team stood beside the van as Meadows and Deakin came running over to them.
"Is everyone here?" Deakin panted.
"No, Gov!" Cass's eyes widened as reality hit her. "Kerry and Debbie haven't come out yet .... we were waiting; we thought they'd be with you."
Meadows looked to Deakin, then back towards the building. He turned and started to walk back towards it, but Deakin caught his arm to stop him.
"Sir, you can't, it's not safe! They'll probably be out any second; there's no point in you going back in and getting ..."
Without warning, an ear-splitting explosion rocked the square. The two glass doors shattered and blew out of their fittings, the ceiling caved in and the whole second level seemed to jolt down a few inches as the crowd gasped in horror.
Smoke began to billow from what had once been the windows and flames licked at the doorway.
