CHAPTER 14 - THE MAIN PIPE

The days went by and we did the same things over and over again: emerge from these dark tunnels, eat breakfast, which more often than not, was our only meal for the rest of the day, go back to the tunnel, continue on with the journey, and rest when the lights are no longer visible through the small holes where the exits or entrances are. We were supposed to hitch a free ride on a bus that drives to Bikini Bottom, but we haven't had any luck so far with finding a bus stop. Had we found any buses on the road, it would be more likely that, before we could climb up a small ledge on a bus and manage to hold on through the long journey, we would end up flat as cardboard on top of our gravel graves, ran over by the boats of apathetic townsfolk.

I was starting to worry about how much time left Mr. Krabs has. When I checked the news, I discovered that his condition kept getting worse. We had to hurry up. I decided that I would have to lift Howard.

"Really," Howard said again. "It's okay. I can handle myself."

"We don't have much time left," I replied. "Mr. Krabs's condition is getting worse. We can't exactly do this fast if you keep stopping to complain about your arthritis."

"Wait a minute," Howard continued. "Are you sure that this is the right way?"

I didn't reply right away. The truth is, I didn't even know where we were going at all. We may have emerged from the tunnels into a few familiar places, but given the fact that this town is huge, it's so easy to get lost. I took a deep breath before I said my reply.

"No."

"But how can we possibly make it to Bikini Bottom in time?"

"I suppose we could take chances and continue on with this journey."

"But what if we don't make it?" Howard continued asking, but now with a tone of despair starting to overtake him. "It has been days since we started wandering about this town, sometimes even going around in circles."

"Well, at least we tried," I replied with a deep sigh. "At least dear Neptune knows that we tried."

After a few more twists and turns across pipes that all look the same, we eventually came across what must be the water treatment facility where all the pipes that make up this complex network of underwater tunnels meet.

"I think I already got my answer to my question," I said in astonishment, mouth agape, as I looked around. Gears at the center of what seemed to be the main pipe formed a pillar covered in circles spinning in all sorts of directions and speeds. Surrounding the pillar was a spiral staircase that was created for normal-sized fish. Several fish were in charge of maintaining the machines, some of them on the complex network of pathways that also served as framework to keep the pipe intact, others on the staircase.

"Are we close to our destination already?" Howard asked, snapping his finger in front of my eye. I got startled so I twitched, getting back to reality.

"Nope, but this must be the reason why we have drains. Underneath this city is actually a water treatment facility where the waters of the seas are cleaned over and over again. Have you ever noticed how the waters stay mostly clear despite the hustle and bustle of this city? This must be why," I replied.

"Now what? With all these other pipes and tunnels, there are so many chances that we go the wrong way and get even more lost in this city!" Howard said loudly with a slight tone of vexation.

"I suppose we could... take our chances?" I replied hesitantly. Sweat started to drip from my entire body because of nervousness and also because my muscles were already strained from lifting Howard. However, I was determined to finish what I have started. No matter how much my arms hurt, I will still carry on. "There's no more turning back. Let's do this!"

Still carrying Howard in my arms despite the pain, I stepped inside the main pipe and eyed on a random pipe that will, hopefully, lead us back to Bikini Bottom.

"You know what, forget it!" Howard shouted angrily. "This is all your fault! Of all the tunnels here, there is only one in a thousand chances that we are going the right way! It's all your fault that we're lost! Had it not been for you, I could have just stayed where I am safe: in that stinkin' alley! What gives you the feeling that we are close friends if you just met me a few days ago? You're just dragging me along in your ridiculous quest to apologize to an old friend. Now, put me down!"

"Be quiet!" I said in a hushed tone as I put him down. "Those fish might find out about us!"

"Who's there?" one of the fish in charge of maintenance said as he looked around. He took the nearby mop and held it like a weapon. He then stood up in battle stance. He continued to search the area until he must have seen two suspicious-looking specks of dust, which would be us, moving on an otherwise flawless, chrome floor.

"There you are!" he continued as he chased after us and hit the floor with his broom. The loud blows of the mop against the floor invited the stares of the other fish working to maintain the main pipe.

[Author's Note: Sorry I wasn't able to update in a long time. I was helping out in the great fanfiction war. More on that in my deviantart profile. (Go to my profile for the link.)

READ: Thanks for the info, but I wasn't able to sign the petition. Wait, were you one of my flamers in my previous fanfic? I think I remember arguing with someone with your penname.

jo bel4: Drama outside the fanfic's plot is not allowed, you impersonator. You are not the real jo bel.]