Souls Below - Rebellion

Chapter Seventeen.

Cold air knifed through the filtration chamber, the overhead fan churning endlessly as it cycled air through the sprawling web of rusting pipes. The place echoed with the hum of machinery and the distant rush of water—sounds that usually felt familiar, even comforting. Krane and I had worked on this one before. We’d patched the failing seals, argued over tool placement, and laughed about how the tech should’ve been replaced decades ago.

But now, sitting on the narrow ledge just above the churning water, nothing felt safe.

My arms wrapped tightly around my body, knees pulled to my chest in a desperate attempt to hold in what little heat I had left. My suit was soaked through, squelching with every slight movement, never meant to withstand a full plunge. Wet strands of hair clung to my face, and the gash on my arm—courtesy of the Guard’s weapon—no longer ached. The cold had stolen that, too. Numbness crept up my limbs, and I couldn’t decide if it was a relief or something worse.

I stared at the pipe I’d crawled out of, where water rushed toward another sector of the city. If the Guards found me now, there’d be no escape. But if no one found me at all…

I ran. That thought looped in my mind, louder than the water, louder than the cold. I’d always imagined I’d face a checkpoint with quick wit and steady lies. I’d rehearsed them a hundred times in my head, but the moment it happened, I panicked. I ran like a coward.

I clutched my arms tighter, shame flushing my cheeks even as my skin turned blue. What would the rebels say? If I ever found them, would they laugh me out of the room? Someone who couldn't even handle a routine stop?

Time stretched unbearably. My teeth chattered, my muscles trembled, and despair crept in like the cold—slow and absolute. A sharp metallic echo rang from one of the pipes, an my breath hitched, fear spiking further. I strained to hear past the roar of rushing water. Another sound—a voice. Krane.

A sob broke from my throat, a tremor of pure, blinding relief. He found me.

“Mira!” His voice rang louder this time. I forced my numb lips to move.

“Here!” I called, my voice cracking.

“You’ll have to come down this pipe,” he shouted back. “I can’t redirect the water—it’s on the Upper’s cycle.” My heart dropped like a stone. I stared at the water below me, black and churning.

“How long’s the cycle?” I yelled.

A pause. “It just started, Mira.” Six hours. I wouldn’t survive six more minutes. “I’ll catch you,” he called, voice firm. “I promise. I’ve got you.” My breath came short and sharp, panic bloomed again, cruel and fast. The current would sweep me away. I’d drown in these tunnels, never to be found. My hands gripped the ledge until my knuckles turned white—maybe from fear, maybe from the cold.

“Mira… ” Krane’s voice softened, calm and sure. “Focus on me. Just my voice. One step at a time. I’m not leaving without you.”

My heart gave a sharp, confused twist. 'Seriously? Now?' I thought bitterly, choking on a half-laugh, half-sob. Still, I nodded to myself. One big breath. I slid closer to the edge, the cold bit at my skin, fingers trembling. I tried to count to three, tried to let go.

But I couldn’t.

“I can’t, Krane!” I screamed, my voice raw with fear. Pain flared in my wounded arm, and the gash on my forearm throbbed in protest, bruised ribs pounding while my body shook uncontrollably. I clawed at the ledge, trying to pull back, but my fingers refused to work. Everything hurt.

I slipped. The world tilted. My scream echoed as water swallowed me whole. My head smacked the edge of the pipe with a sickening c***k.

And everything went black...

~*~

...Sunlight streamed through an open window, golden and warm where it touched the floor. For a moment, the light felt soothing—comforting in a way I couldn’t explain. But then, like a reel skipping frames, the image shifted. The sunlight vanished, replaced by a curtain of water falling from above. The sky, once blue, turned into a heavy, vaporous haze—thicker than the steam that constantly hung over the Lower City.

A strange sadness tugged at my chest.

Why did this place—this scene—make me want to cry? Was that why the water fell from somewhere high above? Was the sky weeping too?

A name was called—faint, muffled, like it had travelled from far away. I turned, trying to hear it more clearly. The voice came again, barely more than a whisper through fog. I shook my head and spun toward the sound, heart pounding.

Someone stood there. A figure. A man.

I clutched something in my hand, shouting words I couldn’t hear, like my own voice had been severed from me. I raised the object, thrusting it toward him in frustration. Something swelled in my chest—sharp, unfamiliar, overwhelming.

Was this… regret?

The man lifted his hands slowly, palms up in surrender. His lips moved, but no sound reached me. His face remained just out of focus, blurred as if the dream itself refused to let me see him clearly.

I looked down at my hand.

The object I held had become a necklace—the necklace. It sat heavy in my palm, and somehow, I knew it mattered more than I could understand...

~*~

I jolted upright, lungs spasming as I gasped for air—only to choke and spew water onto the cracked concrete floor. My whole body convulsed as I vomited again, squeezing my eyes shut against the pain and disorientation. Every part of me trembled, my muscles sluggish and uncooperative. A steady pressure pressed against my back—a hand—and a quiet voice murmured encouragement.

“You’re alright. Breathe through it.”

Another gag surged up my throat. “Why don’t— ” I coughed, spitting water, “you try this— and see if it’s easy?” Krane didn’t answer, he just kept rubbing slow, firm circles on my back. When I finally looked up, I caught the fury burning behind his eyes. His jaw was locked, expression unreadable. He was angry.

“At least you caught me,” I manged to say, voice hoarse.

“I keep my promises,” His voice was tight, controlled, like he was holding something back. “I always do.” Before I could reply, he hooked his arm under mine and hauled me upright with unexpected force. I let out a small protest, but he silenced it with a glare.

“This sector is crawling with Upper guards. They’re looking for you.”

“What?” My pulse stumbled. “Why?" I didn’t think running would incite this reaction from the guards.

“Exactly,” he snapped. “That’s what I want to know. Where the f**k were you, Mira?”

I hesitated, heart pounding. “Krane… I… ” A shout echoed nearby. Krane’s head snapped toward the sound, every muscle tensing and face darkening.

“Never mind. We need to move. Now,” His fingers tightened around mine, dragging me into motion. My sodden suit squelched with every step, and my legs threatened to give out beneath me, body aching from vomiting up water. My thoughts spiralled.

'Had I actually drowned?'

The air felt thinner, harder to pull into my lungs. My chest locked up, panic swept in fast and hard, squeezing out breath. I stumbled once—twice—until Krane turned, frustration still etched across his face—until he saw me stumble again. His expression shifted instantly.

His hands cupped my face, gentler now. His eyes, fierce moments ago, now softened.

“Mira. Look at me.” I forced my eyes up. His gaze held mine, steady and grounding. “Breathe. With me.” He inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly. “You’re here. You’re safe. I’ve got you. I promised, remember?” My throat burned, but I mirrored him—shaky at first, then steadier. His voice, his touch, anchored me. “I always keep my promises.”

I nodded numbly, too overwhelmed to speak. My panic began to fade, replaced by a hollow ache of exhaustion.

“There’s a control room across the street, through a few tunnels. It’s abandoned. Can you make it?” I glanced at the gap beyond the alley, forcing a quick nod before my nerves could take over.

“Good.” He laced his fingers through mine. The gesture stunned me—warm, secure, deliberate. “Stay close. Head down. I’ve got you,” he reassured again, his voice almost a whisper this time. It did something strange to my chest—something not panic but equally body squeezing.

We moved fast, pressed close. In a blur of footsteps and narrow turns, we reached a small, forgotten room, thick with dust and silence. The light overhead flickered, casting long shadows as Krane shut the door behind us.

I turned to face him. “So… ” My throat scraped from all the water. “What now?”

He didn’t answer. He just stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. Fully. Tightly. His heat sank through my rubber suit, into my frozen skin. I didn’t move, too stunned by the sudden closeness, but slowly, and carefully, I lifted my uninjured arm and returned the hug. My breath caught.

Tears spilled from my eyes before I could stop them, silent and hot against my chilled cheeks.

“I don’t know whether to mock you for your stupidity,” he murmured against my hair, “yell at you for being an i***t… or tell you how terrified I was that I lost you.” I buried my face into his chest, ashamed. His arms tightened around me. “f**k, Mira. You scared the s**t out of me. Where were you?”

“I… ” I froze. This wasn’t the time. I couldn’t tell him about the Upper—not yet. So I did something I never thought I’d do. I lied to my best friend. “I couldn’t face Jerard after our fight,” I whispered. “So I went for a walk to clear my head. I must’ve… gotten lost in my thoughts.”

His hand stroked my hair “Oh, daydreamer.” He chuckled softly. He brushed a hand along my arm, and I hissed through my teeth. Instantly, Krane pulled back, eyes zeroing in on the bloodied gash.

“What happened?” he asked. I explained the weapon—how it blasted the wall beside me and slashed my arm. He guided me to a stack of crates and inspected the wound as I peeled my suit down, wincing. The warmth in the room helped, but I was still shivering.

“I had to dump my bag, too,” I added, watching him check the damage. His hand slid down to the bandage from my earlier cut. I flinched, keeping my gaze down.

“I slipped earlier, while working,” I lied again, unable to meet his eyes. Krane sighed, grabbed a dusty blanket, and wrapped it around my shoulders with surprising tenderness.

“Honestly, how haven’t you lost a limb yet?” he muttered. He stepped back, but not far. His eyes lingered, unreadable. “I’ll find some medic supplies. I’ll also let Jerard know you’re safe. He’s ready to tear apart the sector looking for you.”

A stab of guilt twisted in my stomach. I’d let them both down. Again. I’d been too focused on what was above to see the danger below. If there was a worst Lower competition, I'd be a prime candidate.

Krane’s hand came up to my cheek, brushing away a tear I hadn’t even noticed. His fingers paused, tracing the curve of my jaw, causing my stomach to flutter.

“Don’t scare me like that again.” My heart thudded hard against my ribs. The air shifted—thicker, quieter. He leaned in, slow and deliberate, and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. I froze, breath caught, chest rising fast. I barely had time to react before he pulled away, his warmth leaving with him.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone in the hum of the flickering light and the echo of everything I didn’t say.