Eterna

~Chapter 17~ Deep Thessix

After we piled into the train, I rested my head against the window behind me. The seats of the train faced each other, allowing the passengers to look out the opposite window. For what seemed like the first time, I was tired. The dream from the night before loomed in my mind, hovering in my subconscious.

The train hummed along quietly and I felt relaxed for awhile...until Payne woke me up.

"Milady."

"What is it?"

"We need to move."

I shook off a chill and nodded, standing right away. As we began to move toward the front of the train, a loud crashing sound was heard; Like metal against metal.

"What the hell was that?" Asked Devon as he guided Sera forward.

Before anyone could respond, the crown of the train was peeled open like flesh. A large, serpent creature rested atop the train, ready to swoop down with his talons and scoop us up for his next meal.

"Go!" I yelled as it attempted to crawl inside the car.

We sprinted forward until we came to the conductor's cabin.

"We have to get off this damn train!" Yelled Roxy.

"You'd never survive the tunnels of Deep Thessix!" Harley called back. "It's too dangerous!"

The creature's cries could be heard, nearing our location.

"We don't have much of a choice!" I screamed to Harley. "Pull the emergency brake, now!"

Isaiah did as he was told and the train slid to a messy and drawn out halt. We were all violently tossed forward, my head hitting the divider between cars. Reuben smashed through the sliding door of the train and helped me up.

"No time for sleep, Evelyn." He said as he grabbed my arm and helped me to my feet.

I stumbled out of the car and followed after Harley.

"Come on now! No time, we gotta haul ass!" She called.

I looked back to see if the creature pursued us. It was nowhere to be found. With a sigh of relief, I started off down the long tunnel. We walked for a few minutes before Harley stopped in her tracks.

"Now, who the hell is pursuing you? When you said you had people trying to intercept you, I wasn't thinking giant creatures that wanted to eat you alive!" Her voice echoed down the long tunnel.

I shook my head. "I told you this journey would be dangerous."

"It was an understatement." She barked.

She continued forward, obviously on edge and irritated. Sera walked up beside her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry. Once we make it to the Capital, things will get better."

Harley chuckled. "If we can make it to the Capital. These tunnels are only traversable by train, unless you're some sort of badass."

I looked back toward the train. The creature had destroyed it and most of the overpass, making it impossible to go back the way we came. I said nothing, just kept moving onward. The tunnels were dark and damp. Certainly not good for anyone's health.

"How the hell are we supposed to see down here?" Asked Roxy.

"I can see just fine." Said Reuben.

"Come stand by me then." Roxy waved her hand. "Who else can see in the dark?"

No one else stepped forward.

"I can sense things." Payne yawned.

"Fine." Said Harley. "I'll walk ahead with Reuben. I have night vision so I can see, and you can all follow the lights on my wings." She spread her mechanical wings as her lights flickered. "Badass lady?"