Artificial Tears

Chapter 39

It doesn't take long for me to realize that I'm far from the only person in this underground hell.

I've been hearing people talking, laughing and screaming quite quickly since entering.

If I hadn't known what kind of place this was, I would probably have felt less uneasy... or perhaps not.

Checking my clothes to check if there isn't anything that screams 'Police!' I finally decide that it's alright for me to walk around.

I'm not really scared for myself in this place, I just hope Xanders didn't get taken here before me.

After walking over the dust covered paths I see something strange.

A man is lying on the ground in a strange manner.

It can't miss... he's in terrible pain.

Another man stands beside him, his face is all bloodied up and his clothes are a bloody mess too.

Did they get into a fight?

I fasten my pace and walk up to them.

"What the hell do you want?!" The one still standing with the bloody face sneers at me.

I nod to the man lying on the floor: "Is he still breathing?"

"It hurts so fucking much!" I get my answer out of the other guy as he cries out in pain.

"If it wasn't for that stupid bitch I wouldn't be in this situation!"

So, fight is out of the question...

As I look closer, I see something white sticking out of his red flesh.

No doubt about it... his arm is broken.

This guy needs help as soon as possible.

He can't stay this way too long.

"Isn't there a doctor around here or something?" I ask without much thought.

"You think there is something like that, down here?!" The standing one remarks angrily.

"Yeah..." I answer: "I bet you could find at least one black market one."

"Those assholes cost a fortune!"

I shrug: "Then find a way to go to a normal one."

I guess my calmness angers him even more, because he grabs me by my collar and starts to yell insults at me.

Finally the guy with the broken arm speaks up: "Please, Andy, just stop."

"What the hell do we do?!" Andy lets me go and looks over to his friend, I can sense the panic in his voice.

"Do you think you can stand?" I ask, kneeling down besides the wounded man.

"I-I don't know... maybe?"

I nod: "What's the nearest exit?"

"The old fish store." Andy answers.

"Let's get him there."

I help the wounded one up to his feet.

"Are you okay Ray?" Andy asks his friend, who only whimpers something in response.

"Can you keep that arm of yours in place? Try not to move it."

Ray nods to my advice and slowly we make our way through the old streets with uneven buildings and sometimes a dust covered neon light.

As we finally seem to reach it, Ray looks at me in a thankful manner.

"Thank you sir."

"No problem."

I know I just helped a criminal, but still, I don't want anybody dying on my watch, criminal or not.

"I think we can get back ourselves now, there's an elevator here after all."

Elevator? Fancy for going to something like this.

I don't want to let them know that it's my first time here, so I should probably wait a while before boarding the elevator myself.

Carefully I let go of Ray and wish them good luck, but before walking away, they turn my way.

"Sir, be careful. There is some strange girl that attacked us out of nowhere, she... she was way to strong for someone her size. Also... my eyes might have deceived me, but it looked like she bled blue."

Bled blue?

Wait...

Oh shit...

Suddenly the pieces fit.

It's Edith.

Edith who was held captive in that room.

Edith who left those trails of blue.

Edith who is now stuck in this underground maze.

"Where did she go?"

Both men look at each other in shock.

"Why do you want to know? You should try to avoid her."

"She's an acquaintance. I need to find her."

"The hell man?! You are friends with freaks like that?!"

"It's complicated, please just tell me."

"She went through that street, I suspect going towards the church." Ray answers in pain while gently nodding his head towards a dark street."

"Ray, you might just have helped a friend of the bastard who did this to you!" Andy yells at his friend.

"Something was clearly wrong with her... wouldn't you care if I went the wrong way?" Ray looks expectantly at his friend.

"The hell are you talking about? We already are both on the wrong path." Annoyed, Andy looks around: "Fine, just leave us now."

The friends leave for the elevator and I decide to look for Edith, I can't leave her here wandering alone.