CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR – COMING CLOSER TO HOME

With a deep breath, Rebecca squeezed into the narrow duct. The metal was cool against her skin as she shuffled forward on her elbows. Behind her, she could hear Milo following, his whispered encouragements keeping her moving despite the claustrophobic conditions. They crawled through the maze of ducts, guided by Milo's seemingly innate sense of direction. Just as Rebecca felt she couldn't take another moment in the cramped space, Milo whispered, "Stop! I think we're above the building's rear exit." Using a small multitool he produced from his pocket, Milo carefully removed the vent cover beneath them. They peered down into an empty hallway. "Coast is clear," Milo said. "Let's move." They dropped down into the hallway, wincing at the thud their feet made on the linoleum floor. Rebecca held her breath, straining to hear any sign that they'd been detected. But the building remained quiet. "Now comes the tricky part," Milo said, leading them towards a window at the end of the hall. "W