Chapter Eleven: Liza and Stelo
(Liza)
A murmur meant someone was talking, and my head wasn't on the freezing ice anymore, but I laid some where else. I opened my eyes, expecting to see the room with the winger, but I wasn't there.
"Liza," Stelo's soft voice drifted to my ears. "You okay? You scared the shit out of me."
"Where am I?" I rubbed my throbbing head. "I passed out, didn't I?"
"The lady, Deyana, and Dan were arguing, and you just fell on the floor, and we couldn't wake you up, and I thought you were dead, but they said you weren't," Stelo frowned at me.
"Stelo, what's going on?" I whispered as the room spun, and I lay back down. "Sorry, I'm still dizzy."
"Hey, my mind is spinning, too. I didn't think there were any humans left after the change, and hell, here we are," Stelo sighed, and then, he moved over to my ear to whisper something. "Deyana scares me, Liza, and I think we should go look for that Shade Ella told us about when we escaped."
"I don't know, Stelo," I frowned as he pulled away from my ear to look at me. "I think we're safe, and that's what I want."
"I don't think we're safe," Stelo frowned to me.
"Do they all scare you?" I mouthed to Stelo. He shrugged. "Who doesn't?"
"Dan," Stelo replied. He leaned towards my ear. "I think he can help us, Liza. I don't think Deyana and him get along well, from what I've seen, and I think he'll help us find Ella and that Shade, but I don't think Deyana will."
"What about Julio?" I looked at Stelo. He shrugged again, heading towards the door.
"If he helps us, he helps us, and if not, I'm still sticking to my opinions," Stelo smiled slightly at me. "I'm going to find you some food, okay?"
I nodded, sitting deftly in the little bed, staring out a little porthole at a dark ocean. I shivered the eerie murky water the only scene. I stared around, touching the course brown blankets, but soft sheets, and lovely green comforter on my bed. I stared at the stacks of books and folders against the wall. The walls, however, were bare, nothing covering them, and it reminded me of the dormers, where we weren't allowed to hang pictures.
I sighed, remembering the night Ella escaped, when the sky was full of clouds and rain poured down on the dry pavement. I sat up, hearing movement from the bunk below me. She had the sharp object, a blade, and held it over her wrist. She cut her wrist.
The blood spewed across the floor, on the blankets, but she didn't stop. Madness in her eyes, Ella drove it home, wrenching the tracker out in barely minutes. I gasped, stumbling down, grabbing the bloody blade, and stuffing it away in my mattress. Stelo and I used it, barely days later, to escape.
I passed out in a cold sweat after I removed my tracker. It was a horrid night, and I shivered uncontrollably as I sat in the warm blankets. "Are you okay?" The soft voice of Julio whispered.
"It's just, just a memory, you know?" I whispered. "When I escaped the dorms."
"Yes," Julio sighed. "That sounds traumatic, and I'm glad I never had to do it."
"Do you know anyone that's escaped?" I hoped maybe there was someone else to talk to.
"No, but your friend Stelo was telling us about it," he shook his head, closing his eyes. "I wish it upon no one."
"The . . . winger," I whispered.
"Deyana's . . . I'm not sure, really. She calls it a person, and Dan calls it a monster," Julio shrugged.
"And you?" I asked. This man, the scarred Indian, was the only one who talked straight out to me, and suddenly, I relieved the memories.
"I don't know, and you?" I froze.
"Wingers are creatures, but why does she have one?" I shivered, remembering the winger that took off so many friends to the meat factory.
"Well, she removed the device that the overlords use to manipulate the human brain, it has emotions, and now, thanks to a surgery, it can talk," Julio sighed. "At the price of my friend's voice box."
"What?" I jumped up, suddenly alert and oddly jumbled inside. "No, what happened? That doesn't happen!"
"Yes, it does," Julio shook his head again. "She opened up the human memories, supposedly, and unsuppressed the human emotions, and used my dead friend's voice box so the winger can talk."
"Oh, Lord, oh my," I felt faint, and suddenly sick. "Why do you do it!"
"Oh, I see we're talking," Dan strolled in the room, a smirk on his face. Both Julio and I stopped speaking. "Well, it's time for a trip, to find new sewer tunnels. What do you two people say? Ready to join the team?"
"Oh, okay," I staggered out of the bed with the help of Julio's strong arm. I was still in my clothes I'd passed out in, but that wasn't bad, and soon, I was walking down the metallic hallways, secretly fearing the winger, the room, and the girl, Deyana.
"The subs," Dan marched us forward, and soon, we met up with Stelo, lips tightly pressed together, standing awkwardly by Deyana and the winger. "Ready to go, Deyana?"
"What?" She cocked her head.
"Either you go, or you and your winger don't go, and I'm certainly not taking maps of these tunnels, and I don't go unless you go and take care of your winger and take some responsibility," Dan's challenged silenced everyone. Deyana snarled, stepping forward, but Dan stood up, proud and strong, facing her down with silence evil stares.
"Let's go," Deyana hoisted up the winger, walking into the sub first. Dan ushered Stelo and me in next with a sweeping bow. I stared at my confused friend, but Stelo's eyes seemed to be pondering something, not noticing me. I sighed, sitting quietly by Julio.
He stared into space, looking slightly unnerved, watching Deyana pilot the sub away from it's docking area in the under water lab. Then, Julio looked at me. His eyes filled with worry, and a fear, tenseness, lingered long in his eyes as he conveyed everything to me in a stare. I frowned, shivering slightly, unnerved at the silence, at this sudden mission.
The sub shuddered, jolting my weakened body against the wall. Most of the people slid across the floor, into the walls, as Deyana rose the sub to the surface. "Alright, Dan, here we are," Deyana pulled out a notebook. "I'll take notes, manly man, and you go scout it out, alright?"
"Come on," Dan motioned us out of the sub, and I followed Julio obediently. The tunnel had a foul smell, and darkness was descending. I shivered in the cold, from weakness mostly. I wanted food so badly.
"This isn't a good idea," I told Julio as we quietly began to trudge down the tunnel. He stared down at me, but I couldn't read his expression. Dan and Stelo had the two flashlights ahead, and behind, Deyana's soft pattering footprints came. I stared back at her, carrying the winger, much heavier than she was comfortable carrying, slung over her shoulder.
"Shh," Julio covered my mouth, grabbing Dan's shoulder. "Let's go back," he whispered. "This isn't safe. The ferrets will come," I gasped, turning around, almost smacking right into Deyana. I couldn't see her face, but she didn't move forward, but stood quietly in her spot, breathing.
"Nah," Dan muttered. "We're fine, and besides, we'll just kill it if we find a ferret."
"You just don't find a ferret," Deyana hissed. "There's always five together, not just one, and those ferrets aren't weak."
"Thought you'd love another pet," Dan laughed quietly, but it echoed, twisting into a demonic sound. I shivered, standing there by Deyana, my heart pounding.
"Back," Deyana turned to go as the sudden burst of movement from a side tunnel exploded, and the five sets of red eyes flashed, chasing after us. I screamed, dashing down towards the entrance in the pitch darkness.
Behind me, as I passed up Deyana, I heard knives cutting at the ferrets, and a couple growls as Julio, Dan, and oh god, Stelo! I turned around, suddenly, going after Stelo. He'd been my only friend, and I needed him.
"Stelo!" I grabbed Stelo's arm, realizing there were only three pairs of red eyes left. "Let's go!" Stelo rushed after me, and soon, I heard Dan and Julio follow, and then, the slithering of the ferrets in the water could be heard.
"The sub!" Dan raced ahead, catching up to Deyana, whose form was shiloetted against the tunnel entrance. She hopped into the sub, and Dan followed, Stelo letting go of my hand, pulling ahead.
"Stelo!" I reeled off balance as Stelo shot away from me. I reached out, falling forward, smacking into the stagnant water, only hearing the ferrets slithering towards me. Suddenly, I flew out of the water, yanked by my waist, pulled towards the sub, face towards the oncoming ferrets, as one reached out with it's claw, and scratched my face.
My screamed was lost as I fell into the sub, hitting the floor, world spinning, going dizzy around me again. Oh, god, I didn't want to pass out again, but the pain in my head, and I was so weak.
(Liza)
A single light illuminated the gray ceiling. Oh, my head! I didn't have enough energy to turn it, but I stared, none the less, at the light, hurting my eyes, causing my head more pain.
"Liza," Stelo stood over me, blocking the light, his face dark, angry, and worried. "You okay?"
"Stelo, you tripped me," I gaped, not knowing what to say. "I fell, and you tripped me."
"I didn't trip you!" Stelo shouted, making me cringe. "Liza, I thought you could catch up!" He sighed, pressing his lips close to me ear. "Dan will help us get to Shade."
"Oh," I whispered, suddenly jumping at the sound of footsteps, and then, brash yelling reached my ears.
"YOU BASTARD!" Deyana's voice rang out. "You question my authority!"
"You have not authority! Only that which we give you, and now, we're taking back the power," I sat up, Stelo steadying me, so I could see Dan, Julio, and Deyana enter the room.
"Then, where are you going?" Deyana faced down Dan, who straightened up, about to answer.
"To Shade," Stelo cut in. "A friend who escaped, she's taking us to him. Dan, Liza, and I are going. Julio can come if he wants, but you've hurt us enough," Stelo spat at a very shocked Deyana. She froze, caught in a plan not her own, a web Stelo and Dan carefully wove, and suddenly, looked so lost and alone.
"Fine," she whispered. "Get the hell out of here, then, and I'd like to never see any of you again, and if you don't find this Shade, don't come back. You can die, or become creatures, and I won't save any part of you."
"Good," Dan came over to me, helping Stelo lift me off the table. I stared over at Deyana, and then, I noticed, in the other corner, the winger lying on the table, staring up at us, craning its neck to see us leave.
"Et toi?" Deyana passed by Julio on her way to the winger. Julio watched her, frowning deeply, knowing full well her quote's meaning. He turned, and came over to us, as Stelo and Dan proceeded to pack the boxes, and I leaned against the wall, looking at Julio.
"Julio?" I whispered, barely able to hear my voice. He frowned, staring down at me, and then at Dan and Stelo before casting a look at Deyana, sitting in a chair, writing at the winger's side. The winger made a hoarse noise, and it might have been speaking.
"Dan, Liza needs food," he spoke quietly.
"Not now," Dan waved his hand. "We've got to go, while it's still day light," Dan packed up a couple boxes, taking them out to the sub. "She's tough."
"Bastard," Julio growled as he grabbed all the boxes, taking them out the door. "Stay there!" I leaned against the wall as the three guys took everything out. I panted, feeling faint. I needed food, water, oh god, anything would do!
I looked at her, sitting there, alone, writing on the tablet, and I heard her talking to the winger. "I'm certainly not going any where. There's no where to go, and even if there was, we're the safest down here, and this is our home."
"Th-ay hayt us," the winger's words were clear for the first time yet. "Leesha, Stehlow, Huliho, and Dan."
"Yes, oh well," Deyana sighed, patting the winger's head. Overwhelmed by the strangeness, I slumped against the floor. All I wanted was some food, and suddenly, I didn't have the nerve to ask the two of them.
"Liza, it's time to go," Stelo motioned for me to stand up and Dan grew impatient. Julio walked in last, picking me up, sitting me on a chair. He looked into my eyes, the question and concern so clear. Did I want to go?
"No," I sighed. "I don't think I-I-I . . ."
Julio silenced me, keeping his hand on his shoulder, turning to Dan and Stelo. "I'll drive you to the surface, but no more," Julio exited the room. "Deyana, get Liza something to eat!" I began to shiver, and I stared at my hands, watching them shake, the blue veins showing. As food was thrust under my nose, I jumped at Deyana's sudden movement.
"Eat it," she ordered with a certain weariness about her I'd never seen yet. I picked up the burger, stuffing it into my mouth a couple luceous bites, swallowing all of it, downing it with a glass of water. She took the plate away, walking out of the room, coming back in with a plate full for French fries. I ate them all, deciding this meal was the best I'd ever tasted.
"Gone," Julio's deep voice came with his heavier footsteps. "The sub is back, and they're gone."
"I see," Deyana's voice showed weakness overlaid with sadness. Julio walked past me and over to Deyana. I looked up as he looked down into her eyes, a stern and worn expression on his dark features.
"I'm not leaving," Julio sighed. "Your ideas aren't exactly mine, but I trust you because you're intelligent, and possibly because you're a friend."
"I see," Deyana glanced at me. "Liza?"
"What?" I didn't know what to say. "Thank you for the food?"
"Stelo," Julio walked over to me. "He's gone, and I know he was your friend, and I'm not bothering you with your motives for staying now, and if you want, you can leave later . . ."
"But we appreciate your better judgement," Deyana's laugh sounded sad and broken. "You're preferable over Dan. We never got along."
"Oh," I sighed, staring back at the winger, who strained to see us talking across the room. Deyana saw where I stared, came forward, and pulled me across to where the winger sat. With food in my stomach, this didn't seem nearly as bad as about a day ago.
"This is Theresa," Deyana pointed to the winger. "And everyone is aware you are Liza." I smiled faintly, a feeling of being over whelmed flooding into every corner of my brain. I let out a gigantic yawn.
"Great idea," Deyana sighed, flicking off the lights, picking up Theresa, as Julio gently led me out of the room. "Your room is . . ."
"No," Julio cut in. "My room. We'll spend the night in my room, on the floor, since there's only one bed, but sleeping without another soul in the room isn't a very appeasing idea tonight."
I nodded as the Indian man opened his door, and a brilliant scene came to life. A garden from the tropics flourished in front of me, and part of a garden from China, Europe, and an unfinished wall and ceiling were covered with paint.
"I never knew you were an artist," Deyana smiled for real, walking out of the room, coming back with large plates of food. "We'll get more later, but for now, I think all of our strengths are gone."
Julio pulled out stacks of blankets, laying them on the floor, arranging four beds. I sat down, just wanting to sleep. Deyana placed Theresa on the other side of her, and she lay down by me. Julio lay on my other side. He flicked off the lights. Generators were still humming softly, but stillness enveloped me.
"It's so quiet," I whispered. I couldn't remember the quiet. The dorms always were noisy. The escape had been noisy. Being here had been noisy until now.
"I know," Julio answered. I heard Theresa breathing on the other side of Deyana, whose breathing was steady and slow. The Next Day:
(Liza)
I felt a gentle nudge. I lay there, warm, content, after a deep sleep. I turned over, hearing Julio move beside me. "Hmm?" I mumbled. I felt to the other side. Deyana and Theresa still slept.
"Shh, I just had to go the bathroom, and it's morning. We've practically slept a whole day," Julio sighed. "Well needed rest, though."
"I'm hungry," I mumbled. Julio moved, giving me his hand. I stood up, walking with him out the door. The hall lights were still on, and I followed him down the hall. "Where are we going?"
"I'm giving you a small tour, since you're part of our little team." Julio walked into a small kitchen at the end of the hallway. "The kitchen's the second largest place, next to the lab. There's not a lot of food, so we'll be running a mission soon, just to let you know."
"Okay," I replied quietly. Julio walked down the hall, pointing out my room, Deyana's room, Dan's old room, and the bathroom, boiler room, laundry room, and a couple other places.
"And you know the lab is in here," Julio nodded to the door. "I don't go in there much because it's Deyana's study, but when you want to know what's up, feel free to go in."
"Okay," I replied. I walked back to the kitchen, and Julio scrounged up a couple more burgers for breakfast. We arrived at his room, and Deyana and Theresa were awake, talking, but quit when we entered.
"Morning," Deyana smiled. Her normal strength seemed to have come back, and the weariness vanished, but left a certain warmness in her voice. "Glad to see you."
"Yes," Julio and I sat down and ate. "We're low on food. We need a new supply route."
"Of course," Deyana sighed. "We could find a new route to the old place, which is good, but it maybe be watched."
"Yeah, we need a safe passageway," Julio added. "Okay, Liza, Theresa, and I will go and find a new route."
"Maybe I should come," Julio's eyes widened at her request. "I couldn't do anything here at the moment. I'd like to know where you're going, also, so I know the route, if I ever need to use it."
"That's right, you have all the maps," Julio gathered up our plates. "All the equipment is in the sub room." Deyana led the way to the sub room, carrying Theresa. She gave me a knife, gun, and rope. I put them on a belt, stepping into the sub. Julio arrived, grabbing some dynamite. He handed Deyana a hug notebook.
"Okay, we're going to try tunnel D8," Deyana stared at the map. Julio steered the sub, and we reached the surface. "We'll try to reroute to the original site. Stay together, if possible. We've never used these tunnels before."
"Quiet," Julio put a finer over his mouth, leading the rest of us into the sewers. I tramped along in the muck, following the small beam of Deyana's mini flashlight. She stared at the papers, pointing where to go to Julio. Soon, they stopped. Julio climbed up a ladder, and Deyana and I followed.
"Where are we?" Julio whispered when we reached the street above. It was deserted, a back ally some where.
"About two blocks away," Deyana sighed. "That's a good route, for now. Liza and you should get the food. We'll wait." Deyana carried Theresa back down into the tunnels. I followed Julio stealthily, crawling under cars, hiding behind trashcans, for two blocks.
"This is the warehouse," Julio opened the door's many locks. He did several locks, and then, turned on lights. "Go get as much canned food as possible." I grabbed the cans, throwing as many into a little burlap bag as possible. We walked outside, taking the bags back to Deyana and Theresa.
"We need more meat," Julio whispered down into the tunnel. "Liza and I'll be back in twenty minutes. If we're not, go." I shivered as Julio led me down three blocks, and we arrived at an old building.
"There's a freezer in the basement. Take out your knives." I drew my knife and gun, following Julio into the cold basement. He took out a flashlight. At the top of the stairs, he showed it down into the darkness. Cold sweat poured over my body, and my gun shook in my white hand.
A hiss came from the cellar. Julio froze in his tracks, eyes widening. He grabbed my arm, and we raced up the stairs. Something followed us, but we reached the street, and Julio kept running with me until we came back to the tunnel.
"Ferrets," Julio ushered me down into the sewers. "Damn ferrets in our cellar." Julio jumped down after me. "Let's go. We've got enough food for now." Deyana led the way back, and not too soon, we were back in the lab.
"That's not good," Deyana frowned. "Ferrets are extremely blood thirsty," she stared off into space. "Hmm, I suppose, if I told you my idea, you'd say it would get us all killed."
"If it's the brain thing, there's probably five ferrets, and we couldn't take them on," Julio sighed. "Not just the two of us."
"Four of us," Deyana cut in. "The four of us."
"Theresa can't do anything underground," Julio sighed. "It's not worth it at the moment."
"We need that meat, Julio," Deyana sighed. "We should give it a shot, at least, to draw them out, or kill them, at the most."
"What? Can you kill them?" I whispered. Deyana nodded. "Have you done it?"
"A couple times, but we had ten people," Julio sighed. "It was hard then, with double their numbers, and we'll certainly die, now."
"Considering our turn of luck, we need a large number," Deyana sighed. "Since not a lot of kids are going to bust out of the dormitory any time soon, this is how we're acquiring people."
"Why?" I whispered.
"Numbers first, and then, we'll see how the Overlords fare," Deyana scowled. She'd just mocked the Overlords. I swallowed, unable to speak any more. She'd mocked the Overlords.
A/N: Okay, sorry, had a little writer's block. I've begun to have the policy of focusing on one main story at a time, and I want this one done right. I'll still write it, but for the moment, Interim Battles is getting attention. Don't worry, review, and this will be finished. Promise. Thank, MorganRay.
(Liza)
A murmur meant someone was talking, and my head wasn't on the freezing ice anymore, but I laid some where else. I opened my eyes, expecting to see the room with the winger, but I wasn't there.
"Liza," Stelo's soft voice drifted to my ears. "You okay? You scared the shit out of me."
"Where am I?" I rubbed my throbbing head. "I passed out, didn't I?"
"The lady, Deyana, and Dan were arguing, and you just fell on the floor, and we couldn't wake you up, and I thought you were dead, but they said you weren't," Stelo frowned at me.
"Stelo, what's going on?" I whispered as the room spun, and I lay back down. "Sorry, I'm still dizzy."
"Hey, my mind is spinning, too. I didn't think there were any humans left after the change, and hell, here we are," Stelo sighed, and then, he moved over to my ear to whisper something. "Deyana scares me, Liza, and I think we should go look for that Shade Ella told us about when we escaped."
"I don't know, Stelo," I frowned as he pulled away from my ear to look at me. "I think we're safe, and that's what I want."
"I don't think we're safe," Stelo frowned to me.
"Do they all scare you?" I mouthed to Stelo. He shrugged. "Who doesn't?"
"Dan," Stelo replied. He leaned towards my ear. "I think he can help us, Liza. I don't think Deyana and him get along well, from what I've seen, and I think he'll help us find Ella and that Shade, but I don't think Deyana will."
"What about Julio?" I looked at Stelo. He shrugged again, heading towards the door.
"If he helps us, he helps us, and if not, I'm still sticking to my opinions," Stelo smiled slightly at me. "I'm going to find you some food, okay?"
I nodded, sitting deftly in the little bed, staring out a little porthole at a dark ocean. I shivered the eerie murky water the only scene. I stared around, touching the course brown blankets, but soft sheets, and lovely green comforter on my bed. I stared at the stacks of books and folders against the wall. The walls, however, were bare, nothing covering them, and it reminded me of the dormers, where we weren't allowed to hang pictures.
I sighed, remembering the night Ella escaped, when the sky was full of clouds and rain poured down on the dry pavement. I sat up, hearing movement from the bunk below me. She had the sharp object, a blade, and held it over her wrist. She cut her wrist.
The blood spewed across the floor, on the blankets, but she didn't stop. Madness in her eyes, Ella drove it home, wrenching the tracker out in barely minutes. I gasped, stumbling down, grabbing the bloody blade, and stuffing it away in my mattress. Stelo and I used it, barely days later, to escape.
I passed out in a cold sweat after I removed my tracker. It was a horrid night, and I shivered uncontrollably as I sat in the warm blankets. "Are you okay?" The soft voice of Julio whispered.
"It's just, just a memory, you know?" I whispered. "When I escaped the dorms."
"Yes," Julio sighed. "That sounds traumatic, and I'm glad I never had to do it."
"Do you know anyone that's escaped?" I hoped maybe there was someone else to talk to.
"No, but your friend Stelo was telling us about it," he shook his head, closing his eyes. "I wish it upon no one."
"The . . . winger," I whispered.
"Deyana's . . . I'm not sure, really. She calls it a person, and Dan calls it a monster," Julio shrugged.
"And you?" I asked. This man, the scarred Indian, was the only one who talked straight out to me, and suddenly, I relieved the memories.
"I don't know, and you?" I froze.
"Wingers are creatures, but why does she have one?" I shivered, remembering the winger that took off so many friends to the meat factory.
"Well, she removed the device that the overlords use to manipulate the human brain, it has emotions, and now, thanks to a surgery, it can talk," Julio sighed. "At the price of my friend's voice box."
"What?" I jumped up, suddenly alert and oddly jumbled inside. "No, what happened? That doesn't happen!"
"Yes, it does," Julio shook his head again. "She opened up the human memories, supposedly, and unsuppressed the human emotions, and used my dead friend's voice box so the winger can talk."
"Oh, Lord, oh my," I felt faint, and suddenly sick. "Why do you do it!"
"Oh, I see we're talking," Dan strolled in the room, a smirk on his face. Both Julio and I stopped speaking. "Well, it's time for a trip, to find new sewer tunnels. What do you two people say? Ready to join the team?"
"Oh, okay," I staggered out of the bed with the help of Julio's strong arm. I was still in my clothes I'd passed out in, but that wasn't bad, and soon, I was walking down the metallic hallways, secretly fearing the winger, the room, and the girl, Deyana.
"The subs," Dan marched us forward, and soon, we met up with Stelo, lips tightly pressed together, standing awkwardly by Deyana and the winger. "Ready to go, Deyana?"
"What?" She cocked her head.
"Either you go, or you and your winger don't go, and I'm certainly not taking maps of these tunnels, and I don't go unless you go and take care of your winger and take some responsibility," Dan's challenged silenced everyone. Deyana snarled, stepping forward, but Dan stood up, proud and strong, facing her down with silence evil stares.
"Let's go," Deyana hoisted up the winger, walking into the sub first. Dan ushered Stelo and me in next with a sweeping bow. I stared at my confused friend, but Stelo's eyes seemed to be pondering something, not noticing me. I sighed, sitting quietly by Julio.
He stared into space, looking slightly unnerved, watching Deyana pilot the sub away from it's docking area in the under water lab. Then, Julio looked at me. His eyes filled with worry, and a fear, tenseness, lingered long in his eyes as he conveyed everything to me in a stare. I frowned, shivering slightly, unnerved at the silence, at this sudden mission.
The sub shuddered, jolting my weakened body against the wall. Most of the people slid across the floor, into the walls, as Deyana rose the sub to the surface. "Alright, Dan, here we are," Deyana pulled out a notebook. "I'll take notes, manly man, and you go scout it out, alright?"
"Come on," Dan motioned us out of the sub, and I followed Julio obediently. The tunnel had a foul smell, and darkness was descending. I shivered in the cold, from weakness mostly. I wanted food so badly.
"This isn't a good idea," I told Julio as we quietly began to trudge down the tunnel. He stared down at me, but I couldn't read his expression. Dan and Stelo had the two flashlights ahead, and behind, Deyana's soft pattering footprints came. I stared back at her, carrying the winger, much heavier than she was comfortable carrying, slung over her shoulder.
"Shh," Julio covered my mouth, grabbing Dan's shoulder. "Let's go back," he whispered. "This isn't safe. The ferrets will come," I gasped, turning around, almost smacking right into Deyana. I couldn't see her face, but she didn't move forward, but stood quietly in her spot, breathing.
"Nah," Dan muttered. "We're fine, and besides, we'll just kill it if we find a ferret."
"You just don't find a ferret," Deyana hissed. "There's always five together, not just one, and those ferrets aren't weak."
"Thought you'd love another pet," Dan laughed quietly, but it echoed, twisting into a demonic sound. I shivered, standing there by Deyana, my heart pounding.
"Back," Deyana turned to go as the sudden burst of movement from a side tunnel exploded, and the five sets of red eyes flashed, chasing after us. I screamed, dashing down towards the entrance in the pitch darkness.
Behind me, as I passed up Deyana, I heard knives cutting at the ferrets, and a couple growls as Julio, Dan, and oh god, Stelo! I turned around, suddenly, going after Stelo. He'd been my only friend, and I needed him.
"Stelo!" I grabbed Stelo's arm, realizing there were only three pairs of red eyes left. "Let's go!" Stelo rushed after me, and soon, I heard Dan and Julio follow, and then, the slithering of the ferrets in the water could be heard.
"The sub!" Dan raced ahead, catching up to Deyana, whose form was shiloetted against the tunnel entrance. She hopped into the sub, and Dan followed, Stelo letting go of my hand, pulling ahead.
"Stelo!" I reeled off balance as Stelo shot away from me. I reached out, falling forward, smacking into the stagnant water, only hearing the ferrets slithering towards me. Suddenly, I flew out of the water, yanked by my waist, pulled towards the sub, face towards the oncoming ferrets, as one reached out with it's claw, and scratched my face.
My screamed was lost as I fell into the sub, hitting the floor, world spinning, going dizzy around me again. Oh, god, I didn't want to pass out again, but the pain in my head, and I was so weak.
(Liza)
A single light illuminated the gray ceiling. Oh, my head! I didn't have enough energy to turn it, but I stared, none the less, at the light, hurting my eyes, causing my head more pain.
"Liza," Stelo stood over me, blocking the light, his face dark, angry, and worried. "You okay?"
"Stelo, you tripped me," I gaped, not knowing what to say. "I fell, and you tripped me."
"I didn't trip you!" Stelo shouted, making me cringe. "Liza, I thought you could catch up!" He sighed, pressing his lips close to me ear. "Dan will help us get to Shade."
"Oh," I whispered, suddenly jumping at the sound of footsteps, and then, brash yelling reached my ears.
"YOU BASTARD!" Deyana's voice rang out. "You question my authority!"
"You have not authority! Only that which we give you, and now, we're taking back the power," I sat up, Stelo steadying me, so I could see Dan, Julio, and Deyana enter the room.
"Then, where are you going?" Deyana faced down Dan, who straightened up, about to answer.
"To Shade," Stelo cut in. "A friend who escaped, she's taking us to him. Dan, Liza, and I are going. Julio can come if he wants, but you've hurt us enough," Stelo spat at a very shocked Deyana. She froze, caught in a plan not her own, a web Stelo and Dan carefully wove, and suddenly, looked so lost and alone.
"Fine," she whispered. "Get the hell out of here, then, and I'd like to never see any of you again, and if you don't find this Shade, don't come back. You can die, or become creatures, and I won't save any part of you."
"Good," Dan came over to me, helping Stelo lift me off the table. I stared over at Deyana, and then, I noticed, in the other corner, the winger lying on the table, staring up at us, craning its neck to see us leave.
"Et toi?" Deyana passed by Julio on her way to the winger. Julio watched her, frowning deeply, knowing full well her quote's meaning. He turned, and came over to us, as Stelo and Dan proceeded to pack the boxes, and I leaned against the wall, looking at Julio.
"Julio?" I whispered, barely able to hear my voice. He frowned, staring down at me, and then at Dan and Stelo before casting a look at Deyana, sitting in a chair, writing at the winger's side. The winger made a hoarse noise, and it might have been speaking.
"Dan, Liza needs food," he spoke quietly.
"Not now," Dan waved his hand. "We've got to go, while it's still day light," Dan packed up a couple boxes, taking them out to the sub. "She's tough."
"Bastard," Julio growled as he grabbed all the boxes, taking them out the door. "Stay there!" I leaned against the wall as the three guys took everything out. I panted, feeling faint. I needed food, water, oh god, anything would do!
I looked at her, sitting there, alone, writing on the tablet, and I heard her talking to the winger. "I'm certainly not going any where. There's no where to go, and even if there was, we're the safest down here, and this is our home."
"Th-ay hayt us," the winger's words were clear for the first time yet. "Leesha, Stehlow, Huliho, and Dan."
"Yes, oh well," Deyana sighed, patting the winger's head. Overwhelmed by the strangeness, I slumped against the floor. All I wanted was some food, and suddenly, I didn't have the nerve to ask the two of them.
"Liza, it's time to go," Stelo motioned for me to stand up and Dan grew impatient. Julio walked in last, picking me up, sitting me on a chair. He looked into my eyes, the question and concern so clear. Did I want to go?
"No," I sighed. "I don't think I-I-I . . ."
Julio silenced me, keeping his hand on his shoulder, turning to Dan and Stelo. "I'll drive you to the surface, but no more," Julio exited the room. "Deyana, get Liza something to eat!" I began to shiver, and I stared at my hands, watching them shake, the blue veins showing. As food was thrust under my nose, I jumped at Deyana's sudden movement.
"Eat it," she ordered with a certain weariness about her I'd never seen yet. I picked up the burger, stuffing it into my mouth a couple luceous bites, swallowing all of it, downing it with a glass of water. She took the plate away, walking out of the room, coming back in with a plate full for French fries. I ate them all, deciding this meal was the best I'd ever tasted.
"Gone," Julio's deep voice came with his heavier footsteps. "The sub is back, and they're gone."
"I see," Deyana's voice showed weakness overlaid with sadness. Julio walked past me and over to Deyana. I looked up as he looked down into her eyes, a stern and worn expression on his dark features.
"I'm not leaving," Julio sighed. "Your ideas aren't exactly mine, but I trust you because you're intelligent, and possibly because you're a friend."
"I see," Deyana glanced at me. "Liza?"
"What?" I didn't know what to say. "Thank you for the food?"
"Stelo," Julio walked over to me. "He's gone, and I know he was your friend, and I'm not bothering you with your motives for staying now, and if you want, you can leave later . . ."
"But we appreciate your better judgement," Deyana's laugh sounded sad and broken. "You're preferable over Dan. We never got along."
"Oh," I sighed, staring back at the winger, who strained to see us talking across the room. Deyana saw where I stared, came forward, and pulled me across to where the winger sat. With food in my stomach, this didn't seem nearly as bad as about a day ago.
"This is Theresa," Deyana pointed to the winger. "And everyone is aware you are Liza." I smiled faintly, a feeling of being over whelmed flooding into every corner of my brain. I let out a gigantic yawn.
"Great idea," Deyana sighed, flicking off the lights, picking up Theresa, as Julio gently led me out of the room. "Your room is . . ."
"No," Julio cut in. "My room. We'll spend the night in my room, on the floor, since there's only one bed, but sleeping without another soul in the room isn't a very appeasing idea tonight."
I nodded as the Indian man opened his door, and a brilliant scene came to life. A garden from the tropics flourished in front of me, and part of a garden from China, Europe, and an unfinished wall and ceiling were covered with paint.
"I never knew you were an artist," Deyana smiled for real, walking out of the room, coming back with large plates of food. "We'll get more later, but for now, I think all of our strengths are gone."
Julio pulled out stacks of blankets, laying them on the floor, arranging four beds. I sat down, just wanting to sleep. Deyana placed Theresa on the other side of her, and she lay down by me. Julio lay on my other side. He flicked off the lights. Generators were still humming softly, but stillness enveloped me.
"It's so quiet," I whispered. I couldn't remember the quiet. The dorms always were noisy. The escape had been noisy. Being here had been noisy until now.
"I know," Julio answered. I heard Theresa breathing on the other side of Deyana, whose breathing was steady and slow. The Next Day:
(Liza)
I felt a gentle nudge. I lay there, warm, content, after a deep sleep. I turned over, hearing Julio move beside me. "Hmm?" I mumbled. I felt to the other side. Deyana and Theresa still slept.
"Shh, I just had to go the bathroom, and it's morning. We've practically slept a whole day," Julio sighed. "Well needed rest, though."
"I'm hungry," I mumbled. Julio moved, giving me his hand. I stood up, walking with him out the door. The hall lights were still on, and I followed him down the hall. "Where are we going?"
"I'm giving you a small tour, since you're part of our little team." Julio walked into a small kitchen at the end of the hallway. "The kitchen's the second largest place, next to the lab. There's not a lot of food, so we'll be running a mission soon, just to let you know."
"Okay," I replied quietly. Julio walked down the hall, pointing out my room, Deyana's room, Dan's old room, and the bathroom, boiler room, laundry room, and a couple other places.
"And you know the lab is in here," Julio nodded to the door. "I don't go in there much because it's Deyana's study, but when you want to know what's up, feel free to go in."
"Okay," I replied. I walked back to the kitchen, and Julio scrounged up a couple more burgers for breakfast. We arrived at his room, and Deyana and Theresa were awake, talking, but quit when we entered.
"Morning," Deyana smiled. Her normal strength seemed to have come back, and the weariness vanished, but left a certain warmness in her voice. "Glad to see you."
"Yes," Julio and I sat down and ate. "We're low on food. We need a new supply route."
"Of course," Deyana sighed. "We could find a new route to the old place, which is good, but it maybe be watched."
"Yeah, we need a safe passageway," Julio added. "Okay, Liza, Theresa, and I will go and find a new route."
"Maybe I should come," Julio's eyes widened at her request. "I couldn't do anything here at the moment. I'd like to know where you're going, also, so I know the route, if I ever need to use it."
"That's right, you have all the maps," Julio gathered up our plates. "All the equipment is in the sub room." Deyana led the way to the sub room, carrying Theresa. She gave me a knife, gun, and rope. I put them on a belt, stepping into the sub. Julio arrived, grabbing some dynamite. He handed Deyana a hug notebook.
"Okay, we're going to try tunnel D8," Deyana stared at the map. Julio steered the sub, and we reached the surface. "We'll try to reroute to the original site. Stay together, if possible. We've never used these tunnels before."
"Quiet," Julio put a finer over his mouth, leading the rest of us into the sewers. I tramped along in the muck, following the small beam of Deyana's mini flashlight. She stared at the papers, pointing where to go to Julio. Soon, they stopped. Julio climbed up a ladder, and Deyana and I followed.
"Where are we?" Julio whispered when we reached the street above. It was deserted, a back ally some where.
"About two blocks away," Deyana sighed. "That's a good route, for now. Liza and you should get the food. We'll wait." Deyana carried Theresa back down into the tunnels. I followed Julio stealthily, crawling under cars, hiding behind trashcans, for two blocks.
"This is the warehouse," Julio opened the door's many locks. He did several locks, and then, turned on lights. "Go get as much canned food as possible." I grabbed the cans, throwing as many into a little burlap bag as possible. We walked outside, taking the bags back to Deyana and Theresa.
"We need more meat," Julio whispered down into the tunnel. "Liza and I'll be back in twenty minutes. If we're not, go." I shivered as Julio led me down three blocks, and we arrived at an old building.
"There's a freezer in the basement. Take out your knives." I drew my knife and gun, following Julio into the cold basement. He took out a flashlight. At the top of the stairs, he showed it down into the darkness. Cold sweat poured over my body, and my gun shook in my white hand.
A hiss came from the cellar. Julio froze in his tracks, eyes widening. He grabbed my arm, and we raced up the stairs. Something followed us, but we reached the street, and Julio kept running with me until we came back to the tunnel.
"Ferrets," Julio ushered me down into the sewers. "Damn ferrets in our cellar." Julio jumped down after me. "Let's go. We've got enough food for now." Deyana led the way back, and not too soon, we were back in the lab.
"That's not good," Deyana frowned. "Ferrets are extremely blood thirsty," she stared off into space. "Hmm, I suppose, if I told you my idea, you'd say it would get us all killed."
"If it's the brain thing, there's probably five ferrets, and we couldn't take them on," Julio sighed. "Not just the two of us."
"Four of us," Deyana cut in. "The four of us."
"Theresa can't do anything underground," Julio sighed. "It's not worth it at the moment."
"We need that meat, Julio," Deyana sighed. "We should give it a shot, at least, to draw them out, or kill them, at the most."
"What? Can you kill them?" I whispered. Deyana nodded. "Have you done it?"
"A couple times, but we had ten people," Julio sighed. "It was hard then, with double their numbers, and we'll certainly die, now."
"Considering our turn of luck, we need a large number," Deyana sighed. "Since not a lot of kids are going to bust out of the dormitory any time soon, this is how we're acquiring people."
"Why?" I whispered.
"Numbers first, and then, we'll see how the Overlords fare," Deyana scowled. She'd just mocked the Overlords. I swallowed, unable to speak any more. She'd mocked the Overlords.
A/N: Okay, sorry, had a little writer's block. I've begun to have the policy of focusing on one main story at a time, and I want this one done right. I'll still write it, but for the moment, Interim Battles is getting attention. Don't worry, review, and this will be finished. Promise. Thank, MorganRay.