Akina's Reflection

XXV

Aubrey led us to a vent in the wall.

"Cody, Sayoki, go in. at the end of the tube, there should be a ladder leading up to a false manhole. It was made as a quick escape."

Cody frowned.

"Aubrey, you forgot to mention yourself. What more is there to do?"

Aubrey pried the vent open.

"You were not the only person brought here. I want to find the others, and let them get out before I finish this place off."

"But how?" I asked.

"You are going to get rid of this entire place by yourself? How are you going to get everyone out?"

Aubrey smiled.

"Just go on, okay? This is going to be risky, I can't bring you too with me."

"Come on, Aubrey. You've been hero long enough."

Cody paused.

"Aubrey... You go, and Sayoki and I will finish this place."

"Me too?!" I said, startled. "I didn't volunteer!"

Aubrey stared at us for a very long time.

"But... Cody.....Sayoki... What if you don't..."

"We'll be fine." Cody said, calmly.

He placed his hands on Aubrey's shoulders. Even this many years forward, Cody looked like a loving older brother for Aubrey, due to the size difference. It was such a sweet moment to the see the two together, but it somehow made me sad as well, though I don't know why.

Aubrey closed his eyes, accepting his brother's embrace.

"Go, to each of the cell halls... free them all... then go down as low as you can go... and burn this broken hell."

Cody nodded. He walked away from the vent, allowing Aubrey to go in.

I began to walk away as well, but Aubrey stopped me.

"Sayoki... Um..." He said, slowly.

I glanced at him.

"Hmm?"

Aubrey was quiet for a few seconds, as if thinking about what he wanted to say. However, I think he forgot, for all he said finally was,

"Sayoki I....Uh, Please make it out, Sayoki... I have to get going."

I nodded, awkwardly, then followed Cody.

Aubrey smiled, slightly, then disappeared down the vent.

"Burn it down... Burn it..." Cody said to himself quietly as he walked down the halls.

"We are going to burn this place, right?" I asked, just as quietly.

Cody looked troubled.

"We can't burn it down. It just won't work.

"But how can it not work?"

"Listen."

Cody looked down at me.

"If we burn the MIRROR building, assuming it winds around underneath all of Indigo Creek, the entire town will be destroyed. We just can't burn."

I thought about it, and realized Cody was right. Aubrey did not put in mind that all of Indigo Creek could go down with MIRROR, seeing that it is under the entire town.