Hunted

Chapter III

Idrick and Livik slowly made their way through the dark sewers, each footstep sinking deep into centuries old excrement. Livik used the walls to guide his movement, he felt along the visually non-existent bricks. Idrick simply walked in the middle, her far more advanced eyesight not requiring walls for reference.

Around them, they could hear sloshing liquid and footsteps - deep, guttural voices accompanying them. The sound of water dripping echoed throughout the tunnel, causing them to begin to lose sense of their surroundings.

Livik continued to stumble blindly forwards, unaware of the deep drop that lay in wait. Idrick didn't notice it either... She just continued to walk - to deep in her own thoughts to devote any attention to her surroundings. By the time she did notice the drop, both she and Livik had fallen down, their arms outstretched and ready to brace their landing.

When they did reach the bottom of the pit, they found that it was a deep pool of the same excrement they had waded through in the tunnels that were further up. As they crawled out of the miniature lake, they both realised that the place they were in now did not resemble the decrepit tunnels found further up... This cavern consisted of hundreds of small huts made from rubbish. Tall pillars spiralled up into the darkness, whilst raging fires illuminated the shanty town.

Around these fires sat a number of people, both male and female, all of them wearing a variety of torn clothing. Upon seeing them, a group of three walked over to them. Their faces were grimy - almost caked in filth - but they bore smiles that only were only worn by those in total serenity. The first one to reach them outstretched his hand and shot them an uncertain grin. "Can I help you?"

Livik extended his now dirty hand in reply and shook hands whilst Idrick studied the site with a deep curiosity. "We're trying to hide..." Livik said with a quick smile.

The lead man gratefully stuck his hand in Idricks face. Upon seeing that she wouldn't reply, he quickly moved it away, an unsure smile spreading across his face. "Well then," he spoke in a gruff voice, "Your in luck... This community; its made up of fugitives!" he made a welcoming gesture with his hand... One that was ignored by Idrick but noted by Livik.

Livik looked at one of the fires, a hunger glittering in his eye. "You got food?" he asked quickly, his fingers clenching in anticipation. There was an underlying taste in the air... One that was underlying the smell of excrement... Cooking meat.

The man nodded with another smile. "We sure do!" he chuckled to himself "What are your names?" he asked confidently.

Liviks mouth was salivating at this point, his head nodding to an inaudible beat. By now, all of the people gathered by the fires had joined the central three, their heads also bopping to the beat.

Idrick on the other hand, had smelt something in the air. It was a subtle smell; one that you wouldn't notice at first, but one that anybody could sense... She concentrated hard, ignoring the conversation going on between Livik and the man.

"My name's Joe by the way," the man said with a slight grumble.

livik smiled at him. "Where's the food?" He asked. He looked at Livik, excitement plastered all over his face.

Joe beckoned them onwards towards the fire.

Behind them, more people had gathered, their eyes glittering in the lights of the great bonfires they had built.

Idrick continued onwards, deeply engrossed in her own thoughts.