CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN - IN THE ENEMY'S GRASP

Rebecca's mind raced, searching for a solution. Her eyes fell on a pile of old crates stacked near the base of the ladder. Without hesitation, she lurched forward, ignoring the pain in her ankle, and began to push against the stack with all her might. For a heart-stopping moment, nothing happened. Then, with a groan of protesting wood, the crates began to topple. Rebecca threw herself backward just as the stack came crashing down, colliding with the ladder in a cacophony of splintering wood and startled cries. The ladder shuddered violently, nearly dislodging Vincenzo. But the old man clung on with a strength born of desperation, while above him, their pursuer lost his grip and fell. His scream was cut short as he hit the pile of broken crates below. In the chaos that followed, Rebecca rushed forward to help Vincenzo off the last few rungs of the ladder. The old man was shaken but unharmed, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and gratitude. "Grazie, signorina," he gasped as Rebecc