Drip. A drop of water fell off the concrete ceiling and into my hair. I rubbed it off with my free hand/ The other was being pulled away by the boy. He seemed to think we couldn't move anywhere unless he dragged me with him.

"Could you please tell me where we're going?" I said for the 14th time.

"We're going to see the Mayor," the boy said finally, with an impatient tone in his voice, "He can decide your punishment."

"My punishment?!" I responded in shock, "What have I done?!"

"You've reawakened the Spiders!" He yelled angrily back at me, his voice echoing down the tunnel, "Just when we had a chance to take back the Village, you come along, screaming like a child, and wake them all back up!"

I kept my distance. This guy was not happy.

"We're here," the boy said bitterly as we arrived in front of a door at the end of the tunnel. He thumped his fist on the door. A short bald man answered.

"Ahh, Graham," said the man at the door.

"Yeah, whatever Leroy," the boy interrupted, "just take me to the Mayor."

"As you wish young sir," Leroy responded, and led us off into the underground.

There were many underground tunnels and rooms in this place. It was a wonder to me how Leroy knew his way around this place so well. He led us through what looked like a gathering room into a corridor and then to a door leading to what I guessed was the Mayor's office. All the time, Graham did not let go of my wrist.

"Mr Mayor," Leroy called, "I have a couple of visitors for you."

"Send them in Leroy," the Mayor responded.

Unhesitantly, Graham pushed me into the Mayor's office as Leroy left.

"What might be the problem Master Graham?" asked the Mayor.

"It was about 15 minutes ago when I heard this girl wandering around on the surface of town," Graham proclaimed.

"'This girl' ahs a name you know," I grunted at Graham.

"What might that be dear?" asked the Mayor.

"Skylar," I told the Mayor. He seemed to look slightly surprised at this. Graham didn't. Grouchily, he pushed me back and continued his story.

"The Spiders were going to wake up if I didn't do something about it. So I went to the surface and shut up her up before anything bad could of happened. You here that?" Graham directed his tone at me, "You should be grateful!"

"Wait a minute," interrupted the Mayor, "You're saying that you went up onto the surface? Completely unprotected too?" he didn't sound happy.

Graham was speechless.

"Uhh, just...I...if, uhh,"

"Graham, I'll deal with you tomorrow," said the Mayor, fury in his voice, " For now, you girl."

"Yes?" I responded.

"I haven't seen you around here. Do you have a place to stay for the night?"

"Urr, no," I responded shyly.

"Well, that's ok," started the Mayor, "You can stay at Graham's house."

"Wait," started Graham, "what?"

"You can stay at Graham's house, I said," responded the Mayor, "Now run along. I'll deal with you in the morning."

Graham kicked open the door of his apartment. To say he was in a bad mood would be an understatement.

"Right," he announced sternly, "you get the couch, I get my bedroom. If you want a glass of water, the fridge is over there." He pointed into a small kitchen that was connected to the living room, "I will see you tomorrow morning." And with that, Graham marched off to his room, no goodnights or anything.

I gave a long yawn, and decided just to bunk on that couch. I didn't bother to change, I just sumped myself on the sofa, I was so tired. My eyes lolloed around on the ceiling until I spotted a book on the living room table. I picked it up. It was a relatively thin book, and on the cover it read, 'A brief history of Cliffton', which I presumed was the the hell hole this Graham guy had dragged me into.

I looked inside the book. The year it was first published was 2033, the current year. I began to read, even by the dim light from outside.