At End's Gate

CENTRAL DIVERGENCE

The journey to the central escape route didn't take long. They arrived a bit earlier than expected this was all thanks to Conner who had a brilliant knowledge of the city shortcuts. They arrived and began patrolling the nearby buildings for any hostages. This time it was strange no one was in sight. What kind of game was Dukilian playing? It seemed as if he knew that they wanted to warn people about the gate, like he knew those hostages captured in the East wouldn't be warned and everywhere else there wasn't anyone in danger. Apparently they were the only ones in danger. Alexis gulped." Don't worry. I've got you," Blake said as they walked through central city.

"Guys there's no one here," she said as she caressed her strawberry blonde hair.

"Yeah!" Lisa said clearly nervous.

"Don't get agitated. We're gonna be fine," Conner comforted.

"Yeah we'll be fine,"
James confirmed.

"Who would blame them for freaking out? Dukilian Stone is always ten steps ahead of us. The guy holds hostages, we don't know. The guy changes the bomb sequence, we don't know. He's always ahead. Now we don't even know what he has in store for us."

"Paige don't worry. We'll be fine. Trust me," Conner said in a comforting tone.

"Okay. So how do we trigger this route anyway?"

"That's the tricky part. We go through the underground tunnels."

"No! No! That's too dangerous. We don't know what's down there," Lisa warned.

"That's the only way unfortunately. There's an intersecting tunnel that leads to escape pipes leading straight out of the city."

"Okay. Let's do it then," Paige said.

"I won't lie. I have a bad feeling though," Blake said," and you know about how that works."

"I know you and mom shared a gift or whatever you'll call it but we have to do this. If we trigger this trap Dukilian will think we're dead giving us the upper hand of being able to escape," Paige said tying her now dark hair.

"Maybe he has cameras," Alexis said

"Don't worry. I jammed the frequency of any nearby tech so if we trigger the trap then we move at night at the cover of nightfall," James reassured.

"Let's go in then," Lisa finally agreed.

They went through the tunnel entrance. They started walking. Lexi began to hum the song So What by Pink. Everybody looked at her." What? It helps me calm down. It's not everyday that your life turns into a rocky horror picture show."

They continued walking until Lisa heard something." Run!" Lisa screamed as she ran back towards the entrance. The others ran after her.

"What is it Lisa?" James asked.

"We've triggered the trap."

"Huh? Lisa what are you saying?" Paige screamed out as she ran.

"Just get out!"

They finally got out." Lisa what is it?" Conner asked a girl who was now short of breath.

"We need to move," she said about to continue running.

James held her by the wrist." Lisa look at me. It's okay. What's wrong?"

"The pipes."

"What?" Blake asked his face full of confusion.

"You don't understand. The city's water supply come from the pipes near the tunnel."

Just then a body of water began to flow out of the entrance. They were now a reasonable distance from it but the water was moving fast." Oh no!" Paige mouthed as they began to run.

Screams from Lexi were heard. Paige didn't even have the strength to scream. She just ran. No one had time to think. The water was moving fast. Conner looked back. Paige did likewise. The water was moving fast. They weren't going to outrun it." Hold on to something!" Conner shouted out.

Blake managed to help Lexi to climb up a nearby tree. James and Lisa climbed the next tree. Paige and Conner didn't have time. There was a pole nearby. Conner held tightly onto it. Paige was a few seconds to arrive at the pole when the water caught up with her. It pulled her. Conner managed to get a hold of her hand. He gripped tightly pulling her toward him. Everyone gasped. It seemed as if Conner's grip was loosening. Paige closed her eyes as if she was prepared to meet her fate. She then felt her hand on the pole but there were screams. She opened her eyes only to see the water current pull Conner. Conner had sacrificed himself for her." Conner!!!" Paige screamed.