Against The Sun

The Comedown

Gerard wasn't sure why he agreed to let Nate drag him and Mikey out of the building. Maybe trusting a complete stranger right now was the stupidest decision he had ever made, or maybe he just knew it was a better plan than what he had had before Nate showed up. He had made a snap decision and now could only hope that he was leading Mikey towards safety and not more danger. Gerard kept a firm hold on Mikey's arm the entire way, not sure if he was trying to comfort him or if he was just terrified that if he let go Mikey would be somehow taken away from him too.

As they moved quickly and quietly through the city, taking alleyways and and back streets that Gerard had never known were even there, more darkly dressed teenagers, all holding spray paint cans joined the group. They all seemed to instinctively move together like a pack of wolves, keeping to the shadows, and they all looked to Nate for direction and seemed to know what he wanted without him speaking a word.

After about twenty minutes of running the group came to a stop in a dead end alley way. Gerard panicked for a second that he had let them be dragged into a trap before one of the Juvie Halls, a petite blonde girl with a blunt fringe, pulled a large rubbish bin away from the wall and disappeared behind it. Gerard only had a second to think if this was a good idea before Nate was pushing him and Mikey towards the hole in the wall. On the other side was a dark set of tiled stairs with a metal railing leading underground that they were firmly herded down. They traveled in darkness for another long while, then without warning the entire space around them lit up brightly.

Gerard squinted as his eyes took a moment to adapt to the change of lighting. Looking to the side Mikey was still pale and staring at some point off in the middle distance. His breathing was so shallow that if it wasn't for the fact that he was standing Gerard would of thought his brother was dead.

"Mikey?" Gerard pulled his brother closer, but got no indication that Mikey had even heard him. He turned Mikey's face to look at him before trying again.

"Mikey?" Mikey blinked and his eyes focused on Gerard. "Are you okay?"

It seemed like such a ridiculous thing to ask right now. Of course he wasn't okay. But Gerard had no idea what else to say.

Mikey just stared at him blankly before giving the tiniest of nods.

Gerard looked around. They were standing on an old subway train track. At shoulder level running along the track was a disused station platform still decorated with pre-war advertising. Above them Nate stood, smiling reassuringly down at them.

"Welcome to The Underground" Nate said spreading his arms wide before leaning down and offering Gerard a hand.

Once he was up on the platform Gerard turned to help Mikey up.

"Now you two are Gerard and Michael Way right? Cause if you aren't I've just made the fuck up to end all fuck ups," Nate said once everyone was off the tracks

"No," Gerard replied, before realising his mistake when all the colour seemed to drain from Nate's face. "No! I mean yes, we are Gerard and Michael Way. No you haven't made a mistake."