TRIBULATIONS

6.

A few days have gone by. A few days have gone by since Arthur and Bennett have heard the President speaking with the Vice president.

And yet, nothing has happened since then. Until this very day.

Arthur was alerted from the roaring in the distance, he looked up, and his eyes widened when he saw a helicopter. A bunch of them too. Arthur and Bennett were on a building's rooftop as they watched their surroundings. Bennett was choked as he gawked at the cars that were moving.

What?

Was this just a game? They both thought. There was no way that after a few days, people started to drive around as if nothing had happened. That weapon the Government released from the sky should've killed EVERYONE. Except for the two who ran to safety and hid until it subsided.

Women in dresses and expensive jewelry exited the cars, as well as fine Men. Who were these people? The helicopters doubled, so Arthur and Bennett knew that they had to leave the Rooftop.

And so they did.

They were back on the streets as they sneaked around, tiptoeing carefully. Bennett ran straight through the road, as did Arthur. They packed their things and wandered away from the beach, so they were now in a more.. City like area.

They walked hesitantly through the Alley ways. Until Bennett was pulled back by Arthur due to the stepping noises he had heard. He put his hand against the Taller Man's mouth and they watched together.

White figures walked passed them, they had no hair, no clothes, but they had a symbol on their forehead. Arthur's mind traveled back to the event. The same figure with the symbol on their forehead, Project SOS-65.

He gasped in realization and Bennett brought his hand up to cover HIS mouth. When Arthur was certain that the figures made another turn and exited this street, he let his hand be pushed away by Bennett. Arthur nudged at him, "Ben..! Those.."

He nodded rapidly, eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "..Yeah. Look, we're not safe here.. We won't be able to survive on our own, as far as I know.. It'd be for the best if we figure out where the Undercity is and how we can get there. Fast!"

Arthur agreed to his words silently. He placed a hand on him, "Are you Alright?"

Bennett hummed. "..Yes, but I could be better. Anyways, thanks for that earlier, you saved me."

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows, "No, I didn't do much."

Bennett patted his back as he walked away. "Yeah you did. Now come on.. Let's go."

Arthur started to jog towards him. His legs were so tired and he hadn't had a proper shower in forever. He felt musty but what could he do? Aside from that, the food they had was about to run out. They needed to do something about it, water was also something they needed, Arthur's mouth was so dry. He regretted taking water for granted. The last time they drank was a two days ago.. At this rate, they might not make it.

Bennett muttered under his breath. "Shit." As he tripped and fell against a trash can making a loud ruckus. That would've been nothing, but considering the situation they were in, it was a matter of time the AI beings heard-

"What was that?" A robotic female voice said.

"Let us check it out." Another male voice answered slowly.

Arthur quickly helped Bennett up, they turned around hurriedly and were about to make a run for it, but a few AI beings stood in front of them.

"Humans! Humans! Quickly, Alert the Government. Alert President Arnold." One of them lagged in shock.

"Fuck!" Arthur cursed out loud, hurriedly they ran for their lives. They ran past a group of AI beings, pushing some civilians on the way. It was strange to see people again after days of surviving together but they pushed the shock away and focused on getting away. Eventually, sirens could be heard all over the city.

"Warning, warning," Their faces were plastered on every shops most likely using a beamer. "Criminals on the loose, find them!"

Fuck!!

Now it was serious.

They darted across the streets, Arthur gasped for the second time today when he spotted guns breaking through the walls, they reloaded and started to shoot at them.

Fuck!!

Now it was even more serious.

The AI beings started to chase them down, which was unfair because they would obviously be way faster than they were. Bennett spotted something round that was hidden behind the shadows of an Alleyway almost no one went to. He assumed because there were no shops, and all of the buildings were abandoned. He was surprised no one found this part of the Upside city.

Deep in his thoughts, Bennett didn't realize that one of the AI beings held up their gun at him. But Arthur did, he swiftly pushed Bennett forward, and a gold bullet went through his abdomen, not that he noticed yet. Bennett had grabbed onto Arthur's arm and together,

They crashed against the round door that swung open and slammed shut.

They tumbled on the floor and Arthur thrashed in pain, the blood staining his dress shirt. The AI beings banged on the door, but the door did not open.

And the door disappeared causing hums of confusion.