Chapter 9

Clive weaved his ways through rubble and makeshift homes, just looking for anyone who would look him in the eye and not run from him. Yet everywhere he looked, people scurried away or hid. Footsteps followed behind him, but he ignored it.

A hand grabbed his jacket, yanking him back. "What the hell, Kat?"

Yet it wasn't her. Instead there was a small young lady behind him who immediately blocked her face when he spun around. She was skinny and covered in dirt, but she seemed even stronger than he was. Maybe a martial artist?

"Who are you?" He frowned, looking over the woman.

She moved her hands from her face. "Unimportant. You are the man who made this, right?"

"Yes. And it is important." He persisted, moving in closer. "I'll ask it again. Who are you?"

"Tokko Yun." The woman answered, not fazed at all. "I must ask you to come with me. That is important."

…

Katarina watched as the young man disappeared from sight. Great. Now she was lost and Clive was off to do who knows what. Sighing, she leaned against a wall. This place must have been beautiful before it was destroyed. She would never have guessed he had such an eye for detail.

Staring up into the dark sky, it was hard to see any stars. The city was quiet for once, but there was nothing more terrifying than a quiet London.

Squinting, she climbed up onto the roof of one of the buildings and sitting. She'd meant to return to home and there was nothing she'd rather do than be sleeping her safe, warm bed. Yet instead she'd managed to lose Clive and the professor in just one day and she couldn't leave without them.

The roof would have to do for now, as uncomfortable as it was. Soon, everything would be fine again. At least that was all she could hope for and right now, that was all anyone had.

…

He followed Yun as she weaved through secret tunnels and passages even he had never seen before even though he had built the city. Darkness settled around them, making it hard for him to see even two feet in front of him, not to mention the woman he was supposed to be following.

"Are we almost there?" He huffed, a bit impatient. He'd already managed to lose the one person who knew how to get out.

"You'll hear it before you see it." A faint smile spread across her lips.

"Please not be singing." He muttered to himself. "No singing homeless people for me at this hour of the night."

How completely wrong he was when he finally heard the yelling and scolding coming from the casino where he had first met the professor and his apprentice.