IMPORTANT
Some of you may be curious of Selene's whereabouts. She's in this chapter, but, for the sake of the story, she couldn't be here until now. I hope you understand.
Also, I have been editing this story. The only major changes thus far would be to chapter three. I added more to the end, to bring across the meaning and sentiments more clearly.
Inspiration: Park Shin Hye – Without a Word. Zhang Yun Jing – Pian Ai (Insist on Love). Janet Devlin – Can't Help Falling in Love.
Love & Hate
After having waded back out to the crossroads, Akiza and Carly are wondering where to turn now. They know there will definitely be an exit, but the location isn't exactly clear. With eight untried passageways left and the water almost up to their hips there won't be the time to search them all. Even splitting up will still leave tunnels unsearched.
Carly stares at the unexplored tunnels. "Where now?"
Akiza glances around the small opening they're standing in. From the untried tunnels to the imposing craggy stone face that makes the complex. The lack of light is a hindrance, but she supposes that's part of the plan. Whoever's in charge probably wants them to lose their way in the darkness.
"You go left, and I'll try this one," Akiza says; worry lacing her tone.
Carly nods, however, the moment she turns, she bumps into Jack. Rubbing her head, she staggers back slightly dizzy. Akiza's face brightens.
"What are you still doing here?" Jack exclaims, irked. "You were supposed to leave."
"We're trying to, but all we've come across are dead ends," Akiza sighs. "We've tried three tunnels."
"I came through here before," Crow comments. "That one goes deeper into the complex."
"Good, that's one more off our list," Carly smiles. "Just seven left…"
"Then we'll have to split up," Yusei says.
"No. You can't be serious we don't know how long they go on for. We could get lost," Akiza frowns.
"Someone do something!" Crow exclaims. "The water isn't exactly slowing!"
"Um, Akiza and I said we'd look down these tunnels. You can check those ones," Carly stammers, wandering off.
Akiza goes searching down the right tunnel next to where she and Carly had emerged from. Seeing no other viable options, Jack, Crow and Yusei move to search tunnels for themselves. This leaves them with two empty tunnels welcoming the ebb and flow of water.
Each person traverses through the tunnels. Of which no one can find any trace of an exit. Eventually, they decide to turn back on the treacherous, loose ground. On her way back, Carly's foot slips, but she manages to stay on her feet. Meanwhile, her friends are having their own bouts of difficulties. Then, at pretty much the same time, they all come out from the tunnels.
"Nothing?" Akiza asks.
"No, mine was a dead end," Crow shrugs.
"There wasn't an end," Jack replies. "I threw a loose stone; it there wasn't a wall anywhere close."
"Me too," Carly huffs as she emerges. "Except, my stone hit the wall."
"The tunnel was a dead end," Yusei sighs.
They try to look down the two remaining tunnels. However, with the lack of light, there isn't any way to gauge how long they might be. One of the two looks slightly, but clearly, darker than the other. There aren't any signs of an opening to the surface. There's no indicating breeze, or ripples in the still rising water.
Carly points to the darker tunnel. "I think we should try this one."
"That one looks like it goes further into the complex!" Jack exclaims.
"Are you sure Carly?" Yusei asks. "We don't have time to try both."
"Even if it goes deeper into the complex, there might be a tunnel away from the water…" Carly murmurs. "We have to try something."
They've reached the point of no return with the water up to Carly and Akiza's necks*. It won't be long before they'll have to start swimming down the tunnel. However, as the water begins flooding in faster, a sliver of light filters in from above. It highlights the rungs on a slightly rusted ladder. Relief washes over them, and hurry to it.
The first to be out of the tunnels are Carly and Akiza. Next are Jack, Crow, and lastly, Yusei. They push a circular slab of concrete over the hole, and look around the cramped area they're now in. Carly prods the roof for an opening at the corner, and it opens up.
High above them is a crystalline blue sky with white clouds floating along on a cool, quiet breeze. One by one, they each crawl over the sides of the steel box. Only when they're out do they realise it's an empty green dumpster. They head out from the alley out onto the bustling pavements. The streets aren't as busy as usual where they are, but ahead of them are bursting with people pushing their way to their destinations.
Then, the crowd ahead of them disperses in one area. Yusei manages to notice through the opening, a crouched down Selene. Her skin is paler than normal, and she looks seriously ill. Holding her down on the pavement is Sayer. His eyes are alight with a dark fire, and he's grinning maniacally. Selene looks up, and catches Yusei's gaze with pleading eyes. Feeling weak and defeated, she lowers her head again, wincing from Sayer's too tight grip.
The crowd moves again, blocking Yusei's view of them. Sayer though, oblivious to his enemies proximity, lifts Selene's left arm. He pulls out a syringe and forces it into Selene's arm. She winces as the green liquid is forced into her system. Sayer laughs insanely and steps back as the liquid takes over in her body.
Wincing and groaning, Selene struggles to try and stand up, and fails. She collapses as though a great weight has been forced onto her. Then, a quiet rumbling comes from underground. Her hands tighten into fists. The rumbling grows louder, and, suddenly disappears without ever having been noticed by anyone other than Sayer and Selene. Suddenly, a great crack echoes out. A large tree root bursts out from the ground.
Instantly, panic sets in for everyone. Those unfortunate to be the area turn and run away as more and more roots burst out. Loud screams ring out, and now, Crow, Jack, Akiza and Carly have noticed Selene too. More and more roots are breaking out and writhing, knocking people off their feet. Selene tries to force down the eruption of power, futilely. Once again, she fails to stand up, and is reduced to lying on the ground, nearly unconscious.
Sayer, still grinning, walks over to Selene. He kneels down and whispers into ear, and then he pulls her up to her knees. She struggles to stay up like that, but Sayer has already left her there on her own.
Exchanging worried glances, they wonder how they should get involved. After all, they can't turn away when this is happening. The first to move is Akiza, and the rest follow her. However, Carly stays behind because Jack forbade her to be involved.
"Run!" someone amidst the crowd yells.
The tall sky scrapers that stretch up, reaching for the Heavens begin to crumble. The Earth itself trembles. Hordes of people run as fast as they can to try and avoid the stone bricks and walls coming down around them like rain. Then, right at the very epicentre of all the chaos, and surrounded by whirling winds, is Selene herself. Her eyes narrow in a glare at some unfortunate people struggling to get moving. She raises her hand and large vines burst from the ground, they grab those people by their ankles and drag them towards a large and seemingly bottomless ravine.
A large slab smashes into the vines, and the people land on it. It moves over, and the people scramble off, running. Akiza turns to Yusei.
"Go on, stop her!"
Author's Note: Hello! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. I also hope my quality has arisen back from the flames of defeat. I want to apologise for chapter 13 and upwards. I wrote that extremely badly. From there onwards, I have killed my own story. I give my most sincere apologies.
*. I singled out Carly and Akiza for the obvious reason. They're shorter than the guys; tiny compared to them. Well, not tiny, but, surely you understand the point I'm trying to make?
ilikechocolate: Thank you for your review. Your school's started? I wish you luck.
Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967: I'm glad you enjoyed reading the last chapter.
Hollyyyyyyyyyyn: You probably won't ever get this far, but thanks so much. Even though I kind of made you read this, it means a lot that my friend has read my work. Thank you so much! You're the best, the greatest, the undefeatable… I can't think of anything bigger than that. So, we'll leave it there. Thanks, I'm forever indebted to you.