The Final Storm

33. A Refreshing Bath

Never before had I moved so silently and yet so swiftly. Not even when fetching files for Mr Rikkard Ambrose in his office, where the floor was perfectly smooth and easy to walk on—unlike down here, in this dark and dirty sewer, where the floor was more slippery than my husband in the vicinity of creditors. And yet, here I was, running like an Olympic sprinter.

But then again, was it any surprise?

We were after him.

And we would catch him. We would end this once and for all.

"Shh!"

Abruptly, Mr Ambrose in front of me raised his hand, bringing our entire group to a halt.

"What is it?" I whispered. "Are we catching u—"

"Quiet! Listen!"

Despite my instincts, I closed my mouth and did as ordered, listening intently for any sound of footsteps or voices from the darkness. But there was nothing. All I could hear was the muffled sound of rain from above our heads and—

Abruptly, my thoughts cut off and my face paled.

The sound of rain.

Tropical, torrential rain. While we were in a sewer.

Crap.

As in...lots of crap. In lots of dirty water. Heading towards us fast.

"Mrs Ambrose?"

"Yes, Mr Ambrose, Sir?"

"Run!"

I only had a moment to hear the gurgling and rushing of water behind us before Mr Rikkard Ambrose grabbed Adaira and me each by one arm and dragged us forward. Karim followed hot on our heels, and as for Captain Carter...well.

"You...huff, huff...really want me to croak down here, don't you?" came the captain's panting from the very back.

"Shut up and move!"

As people were wont to do when my husband used that tone, the captain snapped his mouth shut and sped up. Of course, it might also have had something with the ginormous wave of sewage water fast approaching from behind.

"Crap, crap, crap! Whose bright idea was it to come down here again?"

"Less talk, more running, Mrs Ambrose!"

"Ah! Now I remember...huff, huff...whose it was. Thanks so much for reminding me, Mr It's-the-best-way-out-of-the-city!"

I wanted to complain more. I wanted to bash him over his stoney head for ever having this ridiculously stupid idea—and myself for going along with it! But I didn't get the chance because, just then, several lights appeared in the darkness ahead.

"Is that...?"

"Yes."

"What...huff, huff...do we do?"

"Run!"

"But...it's them! What if they try to attack—"

"Do you really think that is the most important thing for us to worry about right now?"

Behind us, the rushing of water became louder and louder. Oh heck.

We ran. We ran and ran, and the lights ahead quickly approached. I knew what they were, or rather, who. Still, I didn't slow down or hesitate for even a moment. Gritting my teeth, I redoubled my efforts. In a few moments, we had nearly caught up with them and, in the flickering illumination of the several lanterns, familiar figures came into view.