The Day Trippers

Chapter 6

Sam's arm held me steady as we landed, but I hardly fell this time. Each time it was getting easier.
The light faded, replaced by the darkness of the sewers.
The stench hit me first; a mixture of something rotten and something dead. The cement walls were damp and moss stretched as far as I could see. The water was still, thick and filthy. The only source of light was from rusted air vents on the ceiling.
"Let's go," He called as we headed down the tunnel. Sam pulled out his port screen and pulled up the holographic map of the complex. My feet squished as I walked on the mucky concrete. We walked in silence, I was too scared to say a word.
Minutes turned into hours as I reviewed the plan in my head, but the more I thought about it, the crazier it sounded.
I snapped out of my daze as Sam slowed beneath a vent.
"Here, take this," he handed me a pistol, "Keep that just in case."
I nodded, hoping that I wouldn't have to use it.
My grandfather had taught me how to shoot guns once when I spent the whole summer in Montana with him. I loved it there, but the summer came to an end. I wish I could have lived there with him instead of my home, but later that December, he passed away.
"Grey," Sam's voice brought me back into reality as I stuck the gun into the holster on my belt and covered it with my jacket, "This is the one."
He inspected the vent before he turned to me, "Okay, I'll lift you up so you can crawl through, you'll have 15 seconds to disable the alarm before it sounds. Take the chip and find the insert on the control panel by the door and type in BULC TERCES. I'll shut down the security cameras."
He took out the portscreen, typing fast. I took the small chip out of the pocket and secured it tightly in my fist.
"Okay," I replied, nodding to him.
He placed his hands on my waist making my pulse quicken. In a swift motion, he easily lifted me into the air as I fiddled with the grate. Taking a deep breath, I pushed until the vent broke free.
Sam pushed me up until I was hunched on the floor, my legs dangling and my arms pulling at the slick white tiles. I grasped at nothing, pulling with all my strength.
8 seconds
The room was dark and empty. A single test table sat in the middle of the pristine room, surrounded by carts with needles, tubes, and wires. Monitors lined the walls and the only light was coming from the slight glow of the chip in my hand. I searched in the darkness for the panel.
5 seconds
I rushed to the door, finding the holographic wall mounted screen. I squinted into the darkness, trying to find the insert. My fingers felt along the cool screen until I found the small divot in the metal.
4 seconds
I swiftly inserted the chip into the screen and held my breath as my fingers flew across the keyboard.
BULC
3 seconds
TERC
1 second
ES enter
I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the blaring alarm. I held my breath, waiting, but nothing came. I exhaled a slow, shaky breath.
I returned to the opening in the floor where the drainage grate used to be. Sam looked up from down below as I outstretched my arms for him. Taking one big jump, Sam's hands latched onto the white tiles. I took his hands in mine, grunting and pulling with all my might until his hands were securely on the floor.
Sam pulled himself up in one swift motion, his muscles showing through his jacket.
"We should get out of here," He spoke through small breaths.
We swiftly crept through the hallways, trying our best to avoid guards and act natural. I walked behind Sam as he led us through the maze of walls and doors.
I practically had to run to keep up with Sam's long strides.
The only noise was the rhythmic steps of our boots on the tiles. My hand unconsciously clenched into a tight fist.
A guard was positioned at a door but Sam kept walking past him.
"Hey!" The man's voice yelled behind us. My legs froze and I was unable to move a muscle. I tried my best to remain calm and natural, but little air was entering my lungs.
Sam turned around retaining his military face.
"Who are you? You need an approval to go through this door," The man said, his voice was tough and gravely. I turned around and maintained a stern look.
"I'm Owen Cullen and this is Abigail Portman," he said calmly without any hesitation.
"Wrists," The man barked. I rolled up my sleeve and presented my arm as he scanned it.
With an agitated grunt, the man released my arm as Sam held out his.
"And what business are you attending to?"
"The general tasked us with interrogating one of the captives."
"And who are you to be the one interrogating?"
"And who are you one to be questioning my authority, I doubt you have heard the news, GUARD, but I am you new Commanding Officer, show some respect," Sam barked ripping away his arm as the guard let out a grunt of annoyance.
"I apologize for my behavior, Sir," the man replied through gritted teeth.
"Back to your station," Sam spat as he turned on his heels, standing tall. I followed shortly behind.
Once we rounded a corner and were out of sight Sam's posture relaxed a little and he walked quicker.
After what felt like an eternity of maze, he stopped at a metal elevator. I looked at him and took a breath before pulling the chip out of my pocket.
I glanced behind me before I swiped the chip over the screen. It blinked green before a buzz sounded.
I listened to the subtle sound of the gears humming as the metal door slid open.
I pushed back stray strands of hair as I leaned against the metal bar of the elevator.
"I'll distract them while you go get Aris, okay? When the coast it clear I'll say.."
"Train," I replied suddenly.
"Train?"
"That's how I found you."
Without warning, Sam pulled me into an embrace. His arms wrapped around my shoulders and I buried my head into his chest.
"Be safe," I whispered as tears started to form in my eyes. I could feel the heat from his body as he tilted my face to meet his eyes. Even in the dull elevator, his eyes seemed to sparkle.
"I will," he replied quietly. The hug ended too soon when the elevator slowed. He nodded as I pressed my back against the wall of the door, hiding from view. Sam gave me one more look of longing before I heard the opening of the elevator doors.
Sam straightened before he stepped out of the elevator and out of my sight.
I held my breath as I attempted to listen to the muffled conversation between Sam and the guards. Whatever they were talking about, I couldn't understand through their thick German accents.
I bit my lower lip to distract myself from shaking.
The voices were growing louder and angrier before I heard Sam yell the code.
"Train!" Followed by his boots pounding against the concrete. I listened as the guards yelled, barking out orders and their boots pounding as they chased after him.
Taking a breath, I peered out from behind the wall.
My heart froze as a guard stood outside the elevator. I quickly took the pistol out of my belt. Her eyes widened before she reached for her gun.
"Don't!" I yelled as she froze, her hand inches away from the gun. I held my gun up, pointing at her. "Don't say anything, put your hands above your head or I'll shoot," I instructed as she followed orders, "Good."
She remained still as she breathed heavily.
"What do you want? I'll do whatever you need, just don't shoot," She quivered.
"Take me to the cells," I instructed, retaining a hard voice. She nodded.
She turned to walk down the hall, keeping her hands up. In an instant, she pulled a gun out of the back of her jacket and pointed it at me.
"Think you're the tough one?" She spat in a thick German accent.
"If you shoot so will I," I said, not taking my eyes off of her.
I froze when a strong hand gripped my arm and the muzzle of a gun pressed against the side of my head.
"Don't move," a man muttered behind me. I breathed in a short breath as I heard the click of the hammer.
I automatically hit the cold floor in an instant when a gunshot echoed through the concrete halls. I waited for the white light of death to invade my vision, but nothing happened.
I dared to look up from the ground to find Sam with his gun still raised pointed at the man behind me. The man's eyes widened as he dropped to the ground, crimson leaking through his chest. I stammered as Sam's gun switched direction to point at the woman.
She stared dumbly, her gun trembling in her hands.
I pushed myself up from the floor, returning my gun to point at her.
"Drop the guns," Sam ordered, his voice harsh and cold. With trembling hands, she gently set down the gun and slung the other gun off her shoulder.
"Push them away." She obeyed.
Sam pressed the gun against her back as she began to lead us through the maze of hallways.
I glanced back at the man who was lifeless on the floor surrounded by a pool of blood, his eyes wide open. I would never get that picture out of my mind.
The woman walked tensely through the halls turning every now and again.
She stopped at a large metal door with a screen.
"Go," Sam instructed as she swiped her wrist over the screen. As the heavy door slid open, the pungent odor of rot and neglect burned my nostrils, making me gag.
Sam pushed the woman through the door and I followed. I searched diligently through the cells. People sat, their skin looked sickly pale and sweat lined their foreheads.
My heart sank as a little boy rocked back and forth on the ground, looking up at me with tortured eyes. I gulped as I continued walking.
Every time I passed a cell, more and more anguish knotted my stomach.
Where was Aris?
I squeezed my eyes as I approached the last cell. As I opened my eyes, my heart dropped as I looked into the empty cell.
I turned to Sam who's face was now ghostly.
"Where is she?" I asked the woman, my voice trembling as I pressed my gun to her temple.
"I.. I don't know who you're talking about," she stammered, panic filling her eyes.
"Where is she?!" I yelled pressing it harder. She just stammered, "I'll shoot if you don't tell me where Aris is!" I screamed.
"There's no need for that." I jumped at Aris' voice. As I looked past the woman, Aris stood at the end of the hallway. Dark circle hung under her eyes and bruises painted her jaw.
"Aris," I said, letting the gun drop to my side and running up to her. I hugged her tightly as she collapsed to the ground.
"You're okay! We need to get out of here," I spoke quickly, helping Aris to her feet.
The sound of boots echoed through the hallway, making my stomach twist.
"Hurry," I motioned to Sam as the woman involuntary shuffled forward at Sam's order. My heart ran in circles at the sound of the boots approaching.
"You came for me."
I froze at the sight of a dark uniform appearing from behind the corner. The guard looked between us. The captive guard, the escaped prisoner. Behind him, two more followed.
Aris stood from the concrete, walking over to the side of the guards.
"Aris?" Sam question. My eyes followed her movements, unable to move my legs.
"That was the stupidest thing you could have done," Aris said with ice in her voice.