By X-treme X-taggano (backfire@subdimension.com)
I looked around in the slow realization that the world I was in was indeed the "real" one. I looked back and forth, realizing that I was on the roof of the post office, staring into the the overzealous fog. On top of the city . . .
On top of the world.
I looked around, realizing that there was no longer a dead moth anywhere. It had disappeared with the rest of the dark world, apparently. I gave off a sigh of relief. Thank God this misty version of the city was the hell of a lot safer then the dark city.
I thought a moment, remembering what Lisa had said. The way to get to the lake was through the waterworks, apparently. I pulled out my map, searching around the area near the school. I looked and looked until I saw it. It was just north of the school . . . definitely close, just as Lisa had said. I circled it on my map and put the map away.
I then turned to my right and ran down the metal stairs which had apparently returned to their normal silver shade . . . no longer the dark, golden shade. As soon as I reached the bottom, I looked at the road in front of me. The street was full . . . not just a narrow platform leading to the hospital.
And speaking of the hospital, I had thought for a moment to check and see if Lisa might be in it, but soon remembered that I had only seen Lisa at the Darkside hospital . . . maybe her permanent new residence. Too bad . . . I wanted to help her out of this town, too, but I wasn't ready to go back to the nightmare I had trapped myself in too many times.
So before I knew it, I was at the other end of town, by the water works' gate. I was thankful that the bridge was still down or I wouldn't have made it to the residential area of town. I had forgotten as well how many different roads had been destroyed and how haunting the school still looked in my eyes.
The gate to the water works looked old . . . it probably hadn't been used in years. I walked up to the front gate, examining the fairly large lock that had been secured on the the handle. No way to enter . . . I thought of climbing over the fence, but the barbed wire that surrounded the top area poised ominously above me.
I examined the lock again, realizing that the lock was old . . . I could probably break the lock . . . but how? I tried yanking on it, but nothing happened. I smashed it against the poll next to it, but it was a persistent lock and didn't crack in the slightest. I growled , angered, wondering how the hell this damn lock was going to come off.
I realized that I could probably shoot the lock off. I pulled out my gun and aimed it at the lock. I then fired two shots at the lock. I was cautious, as where I knew the bullets could ricochet right back at me, but to my fortune, they didn't. Instead, the lock broke in half and fell to the floor.
I laughed happily like a little school boy does when he got a good grade on his math test. Finally . . I could pass. I lifted my foot and then kicked to fence open. Some of the time, I really felt like an action hero. Kicking down fences, shooting off locks . . . I was Harry fucking Mason, and was proud of it, too. But other times . . .
Other times I realized I was not that action hero, as much as I wanted to be. I was just a pawn . . . a worthless pawn that could be disposed of in a heartbeat. If I forgot my place, my ego would rise and I would die. I knew that I was the inferior one in this game called survival. I wasn't an action hero. I was an innocent victim who had to make it out the city alive . . . with his daughter. Kicking down a fence was nothing . . .
Once I survive this hell, I'll know I really am that action hero.
I looked into the area within the gate. A large generator was on the stone floor that covered the inside of the fenced area. I also saw a hole in the ground with a ladder . . . it must be the entrance to the water works! I prayed that Lisa would be right about it going all the way to the resort area . . . all the way to the lake. I knew there was nothing to lose, as where I wasn't going any other place anyway. I held my breath and slowly climbed down the ladder.
I soon reached the bottom, realizing it was very dark inside, forcing me to turn my flashlight on once more. The stone floor I stood upon was very cold . . . not what I was exception. This place had probably been abandoned some time back. The color of the bricks around me gave the whole place a washed out look, even with the pipes overhead the dripped with leaking water. I look to my left, searching for a way to go further into the waterworks.
I then realized there was a tunnel to my right. I smiled, realizing that it probably lead straight to the resort area. I quickly ran down it. The stone archways overhead gave the place an ominous feeling. I didn't know what to expect in here, but I prayed maybe nothing at all would come. The wet ground beneath me was growing mold, apparently, and water still dripped from the pipes overhead, occasionally on my head.
I soon reached the end of the tunnel, looking left and right. I then stepped out onto the metal platform that stood over the water. I had apparently entered a new room . . . and it was humongous . . . an entire labyrinth of water! I looked up, gazing at the roof which stood several feet above my head. I couldn't see the end of the room to my left or right, either. In front of me was some sort of water filter. All the water seemed to flow to my right.
I decided to follow the water's path, considering it probably lead straight to the lake. All the water was drained there, perhaps. And so, without a second thought, I turned right and started running down the platform. I stared at the floor, watching the water beneath the metal flow. I prayed for the town's residences, as where this certainly didn't look like the cleanest drinking water.
It was then that I heard a loud hissing noise.
I turned around instantly, grabbing on to my pistol and aiming it directly in front of me. I looked around for a moment, trying to identify to source of the hissing. I soon realized there was nothing. Maybe it was just my twisted imagination . . . being a writer and such can lead to twisted imaginations. I decided it was nothing and turned around.
Suddenly, I felt a mighty claw slash at my leg.
I fell backwards, screaming in pain. I stared in horror at the large cut on my leg . . . the cut was deep. In fact, at the time, I was convinced it went straight to the bone. Large quantities of blood oozed out of the fresh wound. I then looked back in front of me.
A green creature stood in front of me, it's eyes gleaming blood red.
The thing looked like a cross between a lizard and a plant . . . it's long green tentacles squirming in the darkness. I started to push myself back, realizing the creature was following me on all fours. It had no hands or feet . . . it's forearms were made up of claws almost as big as the creature's body itself! It's head was certainly long . . . like the ones you might see on aliens in old sci-fi films.
It opened it's mouth and I could smell it's putrid breath coming forth from it.
It growled as it leapt forwards. I panicked, still pushing myself back.
Pull the damn trigger, Harry!
As if the words were a Godsend, I pulled the trigger several times. I could hear each bullet sink into the creature's slimy, green flesh.
The creature fell backwards, screaming in pain. Despite the bullet wounds, it was still alive. I got up, limping towards the creature. Its skinny body still quivered, and I quickly figured this damn thing needed to be put out of it's misery. I pulled back my bad leg and stomped on it's head. To my surprise, it smashed into a million pieces . . . like a pumpkin. My stomach twisted into a knot as I witness bits of bone and flesh splatter across the dirty metal floor.
I suddenly fell back, my leg still throbbing with pain. I watched as the thick, black liquid squirted from it's body . . . perhaps it was his blood. This damn things probably ran on fuel rather than blood and flesh like any normal being!
I couldn't move my right leg . . . I knew this was a serious handicap. The monsters could very easily kill me now . . . with only one good leg, the best I could do was hold on to the wall to keep my balance as I supported my weight with my left foot. I had to get out of the sewer as fast as I could . . . this wasn't the safest place for a man who's leg was nearly severed.
I got to my feet and then used to wall to help support my weight. I started to limp forwards, trying to find my way through this darkness to the exit. I could feel the thick blood running down my leg as I progressed further through the waterworks, praying that I wouldn't find any more of these . . . things! I looked behind me for a moment, realizing I left behind me a trail of blood behind me. I groaned, hoping that the exit of this place would be somewhere close.
It must have been at least an hour I spent searching through the darkness of the waterworks with my busted leg still leaving a trail of dark red behind me. Fortunately, though, I was still alive. I was sure that all the blood I had lost would kill me, but my leg hadn't even gone numb. I could feel the blood flow just as easily then as I could earlier. I guessed I must have friends in high places, because it was a miracle I could even walk.
But soon I found a gate . . . rusty and old, of course, but not in the nightmarish sense that had become familiar in this town in the "other world". I found the main gate that lead into the small area inside and stepped in. I looked around a moment, realizing that the small area closed in by chain links was some sort of work desk. I limped towards it, seeing many sheets of paper on it. I then put my right hand on the edge of the desk, holding myself up as I routed through the papers with my other hand. Most of the documents were just simple things . . . paychecks, plans for the new water filter . . . things like that. No maps, unfortunately. But I was a persistent bastard, not ready to stop yet my search yet. If I didn't find a map, I might be stuck down here for a lot longer than I had planned.
I then noticed a document inside that caught my eye for some odd reason . . . perhaps only because of the sloppy handwriting, but that paper stuck out from all the others. I picked it up, holding it close to my flashlight.
Log-April 16th, 1990
Water still normal. Filtered through at least 4 times. It
seems to be pure enough. Ending my shift early today . . . my girlfriend,
Jezzy wants me home for something . . . it sounded pretty important. I'll
be working a double shift tomorrow.
Log Out Time: 3:45 PM
I read on, figuring this must be a journal of what has been happening in the facility that the workers were supposed to keep . . . when it was still open, that is. The journal had ended almost nine years ago, so this place probably shut down. I read the next page.
Log-April 17th, 1990
Strange findings in sewer water. They are dark red . . . like
the color of blood. Not sure what's causing the strange differences in
water. Was someone murdered?! Scared the living daylights out of me. Have
to get home . . . my kids Elli and Jeb are visiting me. Sarah won't be
joining me, however, due to our divorce. Hope I can keep my cool.
Log Out Time: 5:54 PM
Blood in the drain? Murder? It all sounded unlikely, but I decided to read on.
Log-April 18th, 1990
The chemical department studied the liquid. According to them,
they've found some sort of drug in the red substance. I heard it was even
White Claudia. Other than that, the water has been cleaned and my shift
is over. I'm calling it a day.
Log Out Time: 5:30 PM
So the red liquid was used to conceal White Claudia . . . just as I had guessed. And the drug dealers thought they could get rid of it through the sewage system! Pretty smart planning . . . no one could figure out who the drug dealer was. Maybe the whole town was involved, therefore keeping the whole thing quiet through mutual agreement with each other.
I then noticed something next to it. It was a map of the whole water works facility! I looked over it, realizing I was close to the ladder that lead out of here . . . right to the resort area by the lake! So going through here was the way to the lake after all. I was relieved Lisa knew what she was talking about! I was almost out of this place! Thank God . . .
Next to all the paper work, I noticed something bright red. I examined it for a moment, wondering what it was. I soon discovered it was a radio . . . one that only received FM stations. Maybe the sewer keeper kept it here for entertainment. I did guess, after all, that making sure the water is clean is not the most enjoyable job in the world. I picked up the radio, deciding to take it along with me. I wasn't sure why I did it. Maybe just for the simple joy of having something else aside from a pocket full of ammo.
As soon as the radio was kept safely in my pocket, I looked to my left, noticing an old wooden cabinet near the desk with the red cross sign on it. I walked up to it, hoping someone might keep a first aid kit in it. I soon found out as I opened the doors and looked inside. There was some disinfectant alcohol! Also, there were bandages for my wounds! I didn't know what the other things were used for, but at least there was enough to tend to my current wound. I pulled out the bandages and sat down for a moment, opening up the disinfectant alcohol. I lightly poured some on the cut. It stung . . . like salt to my wound, but I could already see some of the bleeding reduce. I then took a bandage and wrapped it around my leg. Not long after that, my wound was covered . . . nothing more to worry about.
I laughed. Thank God there was something to help the bleeding. I then stood up, realizing I could walk on to feet again . . . although not very well. My right leg was still in extreme pain, but at least I could use it! I walked forwards, still limping but not in any need of support from the wall. I slowly made my way to the gate at the other end of the room, passing the large water filter to my left. I soon reached to dark brown chain link door at the other end and opened it.
The first left . . . then the first right . . . sounded easy enough. I was quivering with fear, however, and quivering plus and busted leg is not a good equation in the survival game. I continued to walk forwards, hoping that the damn turn would show up soon. Further I continued into the dark void. The dirt beneath my feet was scraping along the bottom of my shoes. I could see a few small bugs skittering along the stone floor, but nothing of any harm or consequence was there.
Finally, I saw the first turn . . . so, naturally, I took it. It lead down another very narrow passage way with green moss growing on the walls . . . which was no surprise. The water was probably leaking through, letting more weeds and other plants grow. As I walked further down the passage, I noticed the room was starting to slant downwards. I figured it didn't matter. It only went down for a couple of feet and then stopped.
I started to run . . . at least, attempt to run. I was able to move surprisingly fast for a bad leg. I wanted to get out of the damn waterworks and into the resort area! I guessed the bleeding was started to go down . . . which was a good thing. Maybe some more blood could circulate into my leg soon enough.
Finally, I saw the end of the tunnel I was in. I ended up in another canal . . . much like the one I had been in previously. I looked back and forth, trying to locate the next passage that would lead me out of here. All I could see in my limited field of view was a small . . . boat?
What the hell was a boat doing in a waterworks facility? I was guessing it would get cough in the works. I walked up to it slowly, curious about it's presence. I knelt down and stared into it for a moment.
It was just a normal boat, though . . . nothing unusual. I got up, but still had that one thought stuck in my head . . . where was the damn exit?!
I started to run down the metal catwalk along the side of the water, still limping all the way. I hoped that soon, I'd see that right turn that lead right out of here.
And in a matter of seconds, I saw it. I looked down it, realizing it was surprisingly similar to the last tunnel I had seen. However, it also seemed to be one hell of a lot shorter than the last one. I wasn't able to tell for sure, but I thought I could see the end of it.
I started down the dark tunnel, hoping the exit was indeed just past here. Water dripped from the ceiling to my head . . . which was refreshing, I guessed. The floor beneath me was particularly moist, however . . . almost so much that it was slippery. My shoes had no traction problems, though, so it was not a distraction . . .
I was right about the tunnel being short, as where I had run all the way through it in a matter of seconds, but past it was another room . . . not the ladder out! The floor was made of stone beneath me and more pipes ran overhead . . . but not that much water was dripping anymore. I guessed the plumbing maintenance was above average in this room . . . but then again, I guess it'd have to be, considering this was the resort area of town . . . the place where no one settles for anything but the best.
I also noticed a large, chain link wall blocking the exit.
I gasped. I wasn't trapped in, was I?! I ran up to it and grabbed onto one of the links. This couldn't be happening! I couldn't be trapped in by a fence . . .
Like I had in my nightmare about the alleyway . . .
I suddenly noticed a door, however, on the left side, built right into the fence. I let off a heavy sigh, realizing I shouldn't worry about things before I had fully examined them. I then walked up to it, thankful that I wasn't hopelessly trapped, waiting for some creature to devour me.
My thoughts suddenly ended as I heard something breathing behind me.
I looked over my shoulder . . . two . . . three of those lizard creatures! They all were in a line, closing in on me. I panicked, turning around and running for the gate. I could hear them slowly skittering towards me. It was strange, though . . . they weren't chasing me. Why not? Not that I wanted them to, mind you, but they weren't in any hurry . . . unlike most of the monsters I had seen.
I quickly opened the gate and ran through, slamming it behind me. I then looked back through the chain links, staring at the monsters. They wouldn't stop coming! I had to admire their perseverance, but they weren't getting me now. What would they do? Break the fence down?
As I my thoughts had casted some kind of curse, they started tearing through the thin metal with their claws.
I stared in horror as the chain links were gradually being torn apart. I then turned around, wondering why the hell I was just watching death creep up on me and why I wasn't running. I started to run towards . . . the ladder! So that was my ticket out of here!
Then I heard a loud crashing sound behind me.
I peered over my shoulder for a split second, realizing the creatures had ripped down an entire section of the chain link fence! They then piled into the room I was in. I turned around, desperately trying to climb to the top of the ladder . . . but my damned foot could barely support my weight! I stumbled over the fist step of the ladder, but continued to climb up. I looked back down. Those things were right below me.
I then pulled out my pistol and aimed it downwards, only about two steps up on the ladder. The creature was just about to leap up at me. I closed my eyes, hoping I could keep my balance as I fired two rounds at the monster as it leapt towards me.
It then fell back, however . . . back into the other creatures. I gasped, partially relieved. I continued to climb up, hoping these things couldn't climb ladders as well. I finally made it to the top and pulled my self out of the hole, closing my eyes for a minute. I then collapsed onto the wet grass beneath me.
Thank God . . . I'm still alive . . . somehow.
I then knew I had friends in high places. No doubt about it. Something must be protecting me, and it was either fate or God . . . and I never believed in fate. I didn't like the idea that I wasn't in control of my life. That meant that God had been watching over me . . . and I was eternally thankful to him.
I then stood up, looking around. I noticed my flashlight was blinking on and off occasionally, and I figured it was almost out of batteries, but hoped that it would last a bit longer.
Unfortunately, it didn't. It died right before I could examine my surroundings, leaving me in the darkness, not sure where I was . . .
I was standing in darkness . . . once again.
