Mech

Chapter 11: Cause and Effect

"Micah?"

"Mm?"

"Y'alright?"

I nodded, "N'you?"

He shook his head, "Not really..'Nd you're a liar."

I sighed, because he was right. We were both so battered that perhaps the only thing that could make it worse was death. The dark tunnel was only illuminated by the occasional ceiling light embedded into the tunnel. We sloshed arm in arm through the dreggy sewer, hoping we found our way to where we needed to be. I counted the ladders leading up to the surface, for each one meant we were one block closer to that hospital. We reached six and stared at the intimidating ladder. One of us could barely walk and the other had a broken arm. I coughed heavily.

"Alright, I'll climb up there n'have a look 'round," Max said, gently leading me to the ladder and letting go of my arm.

Propping his right elbow on each rung and hauling himself up with his other arm and legs, he made his way upwards. Peering out into the street, he tossed the manhole cover to one side and crawled out, turning back and looking down at me.

"Can ya' make it?"

I nodded and forced my body to climb in a languid fashion. I caught Max's hand and he heaved me out with all his strength. We inspected the area and noticed it was lit, but not by the sun. All around us were various hangers filled with large glowing cylinders radiating with heat. They cast orange, yellow, and red light that bled over every wall and surface. Upon closer inspection, we realized they were filled with some kind of molten substance. Robots stirred it, poured, and worked bellows to keep the fires burning. It was some sort of factory, yet we didn't know what for. We had no idea where we were, but we had to be close.

Suddenly, two figures cast shadows on one of the hanger doors. Max and I prepared to defend ourselves, but soon recognized the voices.

"I don't think the others made it...oh, what will we do if they did not?"

"They made it, alright? They made it."

Ian and Aaliyah! I called out to our friends, "Hey! Over here!"

Ian lifted the shotgun, ready to fire, but saw who we were in the crimson light and lowered his weapon. The two galloped to our side.

"Micah! Max! You two made it!" Ian cried with joy, "But what about.."

"-Jason," I said, "Saw him escape through a window..but we don't know were to. 'N Mitzi and Esclave ran off through the front door..didn't have no choice.."

"We got out through an air vent n'jus' came out a'sewer, 'Y'all really didn't see any of 'em?" Max asked.

Aaliyah and Ian both shook their heads.

"We know where we have to go. You two are very hurt, we must make it to the hospital ward as soon as possible."

We all agreed with Aaliyah and she lead the way. Passing the boiling, rubicund factories, we continued deeper into the second level. A few months ago I barely knew anything about the second level. I could see for miles off the side of the drop..but all I saw were rooftops and pipe forests. No one could see all these little towns, the cities, the factories, the robots, the gangs, the traps...what was once a mysterious and intriguing wasteland was now a haunting, blood covered maze of death and destruction. What was once a vast, captivating, metal wilderness was now a painful, disquiet nightmare. I was almost numb to it all, even though every step brought brand new dangers and horrors I could barely comprehend. All I could think anymore was stay alive, stay alive. We halted abruptly, I wheezed another cough.