A Plagued Winter

Chapter 19

I always knew there was something out here. Something we couldn't see. I remember how badly I had wished for someone to believe in what I said was the truth. Now that I have proven to be somewhat sane, I'm not so sure I wouldn't rather have remained the crazy laughingstock. At least then... I wouldn't have to feel guilty about more blood on my hands.

Carlee

Andre. That's the only thing my brain could register at the moment. Not the fact that I should've been sprinting away from the danger with Journey. I couldn't even hear her voice as she screamed for me to keep going.

I didn't want to run away. I wanted to stay and wait for Andre until I knew that Gabbie's screaming wasn't meant for him. Hot boiling tears stung my nose and the corners of my eyes as they traveled a scorching trail down my cheeks. Please, let him be okay...

"Andre?!" My agonized scream rang through the tunnel like an echoing bell. I shined my light towards the dark end of the tunnel where he should've been.

Diaz and Gabbie ran past me and chased after Journey. Then Mikey and Mackenzie followed. I held still waiting for Andre to appear next. Dead silence answered. A horrid reply.

"Andre?" I whispered; my voice weak from hopelessness.

This time, I was confronted with the sound of heavy footsteps pounding against the cement. The light caught the sight of a running shadow on the tunnel wall. Andre appeared into view next. In that instant, I let out a sigh of relief until I noticed the fear on his face which completely bashed my feeling of comfort right out of the ring after spotting him.

"Carlee!! Go now!!" He shouted towards me as he got closer. I sprinted down the tunnel after the rest of our group without having to be told twice.

Andre caught up to me quickly and together, we joined the rest of our group as if we were all participants in a marathon. Neither of us dared to slow. Even Mackenzie seemed to be powered by fear. I didn't know what happened back there, but by the shrunken numbers of our group, I knew that Eli was gone.

Gabbie sobbed as she ran, and I was left to only imagine what was witnessed while Journey and I were gone.

"What" I panted as I ran. "Happened."

Andre was the only one to respond, unless you counted the hitch in Gabbie's cries as they grew louder for a reply.

"It followed us into the sewer." Andre spoke in a rush.

I cursed under my breath.

Our flashlights bobbed up and down on the walls illuminating everything in quick motions as we ran uncontrollably. Then, so quick I would've missed it if I weren't looking at the wall to my left, a second tunnel emerged on the right side of us.

"Stop!!" I shouted. Nearly falling over from trying to get my body to instantly stop moving after it had gotten used to the sprinting. The rest of the group halted a few feet away from me except for Andre who stood close beside me with his hand on my arm.

I shined my light at the wall and showed everyone the subtle hook of a canal hidden amongst the much larger continuing tunnel. The smaller tunnel to my right was definitely the route we needed to take in order to get the hell out of the main sewers. There, we would find the fork in the tunnels which consisted of three pathways, after choosing the pathway on the right we would ultimately find our exit. But why did it take so long to find you? I narrowed my eyes at the tunnel in suspicion.

Mikey jogged over to me and peered inside of the smaller canal. He was drenched in sweat and looked sickly and pale; as if he was going to cough up his fear onto the floor. Adding to the collection of the disgusting things that could be found here in the sewers.