Chapter 20 - The Decoy Strategy
The plan was highly dangerous, bordering on suicidal, but it was the only way to permanently end the threat. Mateo and Laura spent the next four hours transforming the house into a lethal labyrinth.
"They expect us to be cowering in the master bedroom, trying to protect the kids," Mateo explained, laying out the tactical floor plan on the kitchen island. "So, we give them exactly what they expect. We leave the lights on in the master bedroom. We play the radio softly to simulate conversation."
"Where will Emiliano and Jimena be?" Laura asked, her primary concern always rooted in the children's safety.
"The storm cellar," Mateo pointed to the floorboards beneath the heavy kitchen rug. "It’s reinforced concrete, completely soundproof, and it locks securely from the inside. They will be safe down there, even if the house burns."
Laura nodded, her face pale but resolute. "And us?"
"We hunt in the dark," Mateo said, racking the shotgun. "I will unscrew the fuses in the main breaker box at 1:45 AM. When the strike team kicks in the front door, the house will be pitch black. They will be using night vision, but night vision limits peripheral sight. They won't know the layout of the creaky floorboards. Every step they take will announce their position."
They moved swiftly. Laura packed a heavy backpack with snacks, water, and flashlights, escorting Emiliano and Jimena down into the cold, concrete storm cellar.
"Remember the Shadow Game," Laura whispered, kissing both of their foreheads in the dim light. "You stay completely silent. No matter what you hear above you, you do not open this door until you hear my voice saying your names. I love you both."
"We love you, Mama," Jimena whispered, hugging her tightly.
May you like
Laura locked the heavy iron hatch from the outside, throwing the thick rug back over the entrance to conceal it. She stood up, pulling a heavy steel kitchen knife from the block and sliding it into the waistband of her jeans. She grabbed the suppressed pistol from the table.
It was midnight. The house was dead quiet. Mateo and Laura took their positions in the dark hallway, waiting for the monsters to arrive.
