Chapter 16: Underneath
1224 Words
Wallace opened the door for them. Aven and Leah stepped out, walking off the veranda.
"Before I forget to ask, what do you call her by? Is she given a new name?" asked Aven.
"It's Alecia," replied Wallace.
"Interesting. That's her real name." Aven looked at Leah and back at Wallace. "So she didn't forget her name?"
"She responded when I called her by that name. I don't know how she remembered it."
Aven smiled. "Thanks again for your help. Take care of yourself, Wallace."
Wallace nodded. "Likewise. Good luck."
The door closed behind them.
"Just like that?" asked Leah as she stared at the door, frowning.
"Never mind him. Focus on our search."
-
Aven closed the door of the town's wall and strode towards Leah who was waiting for him.
"Strange, this is. . ."
"What is?" asked Aven.
"How the bio of her description showed that she has black hair," Leah said, looking on the ground and watching every step she took.
"Why's it that it describes her with black hair. What's with the color change. Do you think she can be an imposter?"
"That's ridiculous, considering that this woman has the same name. Let's just check it out, okay? It'll be fine once we put all the pieces together."
Leah nodded. "I suppose you're right."
"This time, we'll walk. We wouldn't want to go ahead of her before she gets there."
"We could do that."
"Let's go." He leaped off the ground and flew into the air, with Leah following from behind.
Aven could only hope that he'd find Alecia. More importantly, he hoped that he could help her understand who she was.
-
In the distance, beneath the city, under the plumbing system, and in the sewage. In the darkness of the deep soft howling of the tunnel, with the sounds of streaming water, Alecia, Virgil, and Diana followed the girl into the engulfing darkness.
"Virgil, where's that light of yours?" asked Alecia.
"Hold on." A thump was heard.
"No need, I've got it," the girl's voice said, a few taps and a yellow beam of light reflected off the walls of the tunnel. The four of them were now visible.
"Well, you're convenient," Virgil said, picking up the bag. "Where are you taking us, why the helping hand?"
She stayed silent as she continued to walk, constantly flicking her eyes around the curved walls.
Virgil narrowed his gaze. "Not talking, huh?"
"Name's Kellan," said she as she stopped near an iron door. "And as for what happened back there, you should be glad I found you when I did."
"Do you need help with that?" asked Alecia, stepping forward with a concerned look.
"No, it's fine, I can do it myself." Kellan managed to remove the latch and opened the door slowly as it made a winding sound. She stepped through and continued walking.
"Why did you help us?" Alecia moved towards her with a curious look.
Kellan looked over her shoulder. "Is that a trick question?"
"I already told you my point. You're in a life-threatening situation, what more couldn't you understand?"
She looked ahead and let out a sigh.
"Well, excuse us," uttered Virgil irritably.
The girl turned and grabbed him, slamming him against the wall, her blade drawn to his throat,
"What the hell?"
Alecia and Diana stepped back in shock.
"I helped three strangers."
Kellan gritted her teeth, glaring at him with her fridge showing only an eye.
"Why should I be the one to trust? How would I know if you're not like those psychopaths out there? I could've left you to die, as far as I'm concerned, I don't owe you anything. Keep. Your questions. To yourself."
She withdrew her blade, flicked her eyes between Alecia and Diana, and continued walking. Virgil adjusted his jacket, watching her go deeper into the tunnel. Alecia strode past him as she looked at him for a moment, while Diana chuckled.
"Don't," said Virgil, shaking his head in embarrassment, his eyes closed.
Alecia followed Kellan into the tunnel, with a curious look. She brought her hand to her forehead, eyes shut, the pain shooting through her head as she tried to ease it off. The ache left nothing but a vision of stars dancing around wherever her gaze landed. She sauntered down the tunnel, hoping that the throbbing ache to disappear. She sighed as she took her hand away from her forehead.
"There's the place," said Kellan, pointing ahead at the door in the distance.
"A place?" asked Alecia quietly, narrowing her gaze.
"My home."
Alecia remained silent as she walked with her. Kellan stood near the iron door with the light above it shining down on her. She removed the latch and opened the door. As Alecia stepped into a broader tunnel, a large number of people gathering together faced them, marveling at the visitors.
"This is their home, too?" Alecia locked eyes on them as she followed Kellan.
"Yes." Kellan smiled as she waved at them, and walked into a pathway on the left.
She led Alecia, Diana, and Virgil deep into the hallway, until she reached a door at the end and opened it. She entered a lit room with metal shelves placed near the wall; a middle-aged man sat, eating food from his bowl. He turned to Kellan with a suspicious gaze, chewing down his food and swallowing.
"Who's this?" asked the man, suspicious gaze directed at Alecia.
Soon, Diana and Virgil entered.
"What the hell, Kellan!" exclaimed he with a gruff voice, standing as his chair squeaked. "What do you think this place is?"
"Just relax. I saved their lives."
"Who are you?" He glowered at the three individuals.
"I'm Virgil, and she's-"
"Diana."
"And you?" His eyes trained on the white-haired woman.
"They call me Alecia." said looking down for a moment and at him again.
"Interesting. It's strange to see someone like you with white hair. Did you make it that way?"
Alecia streamed her fingers down her hair. "I've always known my hair like this."
"Can we trust them? How do I know if they're not with them?"
He walked across the table towards Kellan.
"Who are you?" asked Diana, frustrated.
He glared at Diana. "I'm her father.
"We can trust them. They were attacked by both groups," answered Kellan. "They wiped out those scavengers like they were animals, and they were caught in the middle of the crossfire."
Kellan's father looked at them. "Now that I think about it, you look too clean to be a part of either one of them."
He nodded, flicking his eyes at them. He picked up his bowl, moved to the bin in the corner, and threw the food in, placing the bowl on the shelf.
"That's a waste," said Kellan.
He sighed. "You made me lose my appetite. I suppose you and your two friends can stay. But if any of you become suspicious or cause any trouble here, you'll be kicked out. Do we understand each other?"
"I understand." Alecia nodded, staring at the floor. "Can I ask your name?"
He cracked a slight smile at her. "The name's Joel."
Joel looked at Diana and Virgil. "Kellan, take them to their rooms."
"We can't stay here. We need to be somewhere." Virgil stepped forward.
Joel turned to him. "Do you think I want you to stay here? You're gonna be here only for a couple of hours till the dust clears. I wouldn't want you to draw any attention if you were to leave. Even if you'd have to stay the night."
"What does he mean by that?" Diana asked Kellan.
"You've drawn too much attention to yourselves. From what happened before. Till it's safe you'll have to stay here for a bit."
She stepped to the doorway. "Follow me."
- Writer
